Taking care of your home all year long helps protect its value, prevent surprise repairs, and make a great impression—whether you’re living in it for life or planning to sell someday.

When you think of home maintenance, dryer vents probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. But here’s the truth: clogged dryer vents are one of the most common issues home inspectors note—and they’re both a fire hazard and an energy hog.

Why It Matters

• Fire safety: Lint buildup is highly flammable. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, thousands of home fires start in dryers each year.
• Energy efficiency: A clogged vent forces your dryer to work harder, wasting electricity and raising utility bills.
• Appliance life: A struggling dryer wears out faster, meaning you’ll replace it sooner than you’d like.

How to Tackle It

• DIY option: There are plenty of affordable dryer vent cleaning kits at home improvement stores or Amazon and you can follow along with a quick variety of YouTube tutorials. Cleaning usually involves disconnecting the vent hose and using a long brush or vacuum attachment to remove lint buildup.

• Professional option: If you’d rather outsource, expect to pay around $150–$250 for a thorough cleaning. Locally, there are several trusted vendors that provide this service.

How Often?

At least once a year is best for most households. If you do a lot of laundry (big family, multiple loads daily), you may want to schedule cleanings twice a year.

All in all, this quick, inexpensive task pays off big—keeping your home safer, more efficient, and buyer-ready if you ever decide to sell. So go ahead and check it off your list this month.

And let me know if you need any company referrals that can take care of this for you!