My grandmother taught me a simple way to clean a clogged dryer vent without expensive tools. Her toolkit was modest: a vacuum, a long flexible brush, and an old leaf blower. A clogged vent isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that dryers cause nearly 2,900 house fires each year. Lint buildup also increases energy bills and shortens the dryer’s lifespan.

First, unplug the dryer. If it’s gas-powered, shut off the gas valve. Pull the dryer away from the wall. Vacuum all visible lint from the back vent. Use a flexible vent brush—feed it into the duct, twisting gently to loosen lint without damaging the vent. Vacuum again. The combination of brushing and suction is far more effective than either method alone.

Now for Grandma’s clever trick. Go outside to where the vent exhausts. Remove the vent cover. Insert the leaf blower nozzle into the vent and give it a few strong bursts. Dust, lint, and debris shoot out. This ensures airflow is restored throughout the entire vent, not just near the dryer.

Reassemble and run a short cycle. If the dryer feels cooler and clothes dry faster, you’ve done it correctly. Grandma’s method works because it addresses the problem from multiple angles: suction, mechanical loosening, and airflow restoration. A vent brush costs less than twenty dollars. Professional cleaning costs hundreds. Grandma’s way costs next to nothing and keeps your house safe. It works every time.