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What Causes So Much Lint Build-Up?
What Causes So Much Lint Build-Up?
It’s part of our regular routines: take clothes out of the dryer, remove the lint build-up from the lint trap, and add the next batch of wet clothes. While it’s a somewhat mindless process, have you ever stopped to consider where all that lint comes from? Let’s take a look at 5 factors that contribute to excessive lint accumulation in the dryer.
Where Does Lint Come From?
The friction caused by simply wearing our clothing can cause lint to form, as fibers rub against each other, and begin to loosen and shed. When we tumble-dry our clothing in a dryer, little fibers and bits of fabric, hair, or even pieces of errant tissues or papers are shed from the clean clothing. This lint is especially common with cotton, linen, and wool fabrics. While much of the resulting lint is caught by the lint filter in your dryer, some of it can escape and make its way into the dryer exhaust vent and lead to build-up.
5 Factors Leading to Excessive Lint Build-up
Too much lint is actually a big deal, as it poses a major safety hazard. Clogged dryer vents lead to a potential fire, as well as prolonged drying times and a waste of energy. Here are 5 things to watch out for:
- Superfluous or restricted duct piping. It’s all too common for vent piping to extend far past the recommended limit of 35 feet between the dryer and the exterior dryer exhaust vent. These longer distances require more piping with more elbows in order to reach the outside wall, and lint can easily build up within these pipes.
- Bird nests. It isn’t unusual for birds to build nests in uncovered termination hoods, where they have a safe, warm, and dry habitat.
- Condensation in the duct system. Uninsulated pipes and vents run through attics or crawl spaces will fall prey to condensation. Moisture in the ductwork can then cause lint to stick to damp surfaces, leading to accumulated lint on the pipe walls.
- Kinked or crushed hoses. Folds and crevices in transition hoses can quickly become sites for lint to build up, and the smaller diameter can lead to far less effective venting capability.
- Blocked dryer exhaust vent. Vents need to be routinely inspected to make sure they are functioning properly. The wrong kind of termination hood, or the use of a screen can cause lint to build up and block airflow.
Prevent Lint Build-Up
Consider this post your timely reminder to inspect your ductwork and ensure there is no lint accumulation. There are nearly 3,000 dryer fires each year in the U.S., and 34% of these fires are caused by failure to clean the dryer. At Ziggurat Products, we offer a wide range of Snap to Vent products that make it easy to connect your dryer hose--without needing tools or a dryer clamp! Our products keep your dryer hose from being crushed and help to prevent lint from building up. You can shop online for all our safety-enhancing products, or feel free to reach out to us via phone, email, or contact form.
It’s part of our regular routines: take clothes out of the dryer, remove the lint build-up from the lint trap, and add the next batch of wet clothes. While it’s a somewhat mindless process, have you ever stopped to consider where all that lint comes from? Let’s take a look at 5 factors that contribute to excessive lint accumulation in the dryer.
Where Does Lint Come From?
The friction caused by simply wearing our clothing can cause lint to form, as fibers rub against each other, and begin to loosen and shed. When we tumble-dry our clothing in a dryer, little fibers and bits of fabric, hair, or even pieces of errant tissues or papers are shed from the clean clothing. This lint is especially common with cotton, linen, and wool fabrics. While much of the resulting lint is caught by the lint filter in your dryer, some of it can escape and make its way into the dryer exhaust vent and lead to build-up.
5 Factors Leading to Excessive Lint Build-up
Too much lint is actually a big deal, as it poses a major safety hazard. Clogged dryer vents lead to a potential fire, as well as prolonged drying times and a waste of energy. Here are 5 things to watch out for:
- Superfluous or restricted duct piping. It’s all too common for vent piping to extend far past the recommended limit of 35 feet between the dryer and the exterior dryer exhaust vent. These longer distances require more piping with more elbows in order to reach the outside wall, and lint can easily build up within these pipes.
- Bird nests. It isn’t unusual for birds to build nests in uncovered termination hoods, where they have a safe, warm, and dry habitat.
- Condensation in the duct system. Uninsulated pipes and vents run through attics or crawl spaces will fall prey to condensation. Moisture in the ductwork can then cause lint to stick to damp surfaces, leading to accumulated lint on the pipe walls.
- Kinked or crushed hoses. Folds and crevices in transition hoses can quickly become sites for lint to build up, and the smaller diameter can lead to far less effective venting capability.
- Blocked dryer exhaust vent. Vents need to be routinely inspected to make sure they are functioning properly. The wrong kind of termination hood, or the use of a screen can cause lint to build up and block airflow.
Prevent Lint Build-Up
Consider this post your timely reminder to inspect your ductwork and ensure there is no lint accumulation. There are nearly 3,000 dryer fires each year in the U.S., and 34% of these fires are caused by failure to clean the dryer. At Ziggurat Products, we offer a wide range of Snap to Vent products that make it easy to connect your dryer hose--without needing tools or a dryer clamp! Our products keep your dryer hose from being crushed and help to prevent lint from building up. You can shop online for all our safety-enhancing products, or feel free to reach out to us via phone, email, or contact form.