Dryer vent cleaning: what a professional service includes and costs

Updated September 25, 2026 · Every figure checked twice against its source · How we verify

Dryer vent cleaning, also called dryer duct cleaning, means clearing the lint out of the duct that carries hot, damp air from your clothes dryer to the outside of the house. A professional cleaning costs $80 to $185 for a standard vent, according to HomeGuide, and usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, according to Fixr. The NFPA says to clean the vent pipe once a year, or sooner if clothes take longer than normal to dry.

Why it matters, in the numbers

In US fire department records for 2020 to 2024, dryers were the equipment involved in 4.6% of residential structure fires where the equipment was identified, and failure to clean led at 31.2% (our analysis of FEMA NFIRS data).
NFPA's national estimate: 13,820 home dryer fires a year in 2014 to 2018.
Failure to clean was the leading factor, in 32% of them.
Dust, fiber or lint was the first thing to ignite in 27%.
These fires caused $233 million in direct property damage a year.

Full breakdown: dryer fire statistics.

What is included in dryer vent cleaning?

A complete cleaning covers the whole path the air travels, not only the lint screen. Use this list to compare quotes and to check the work. Each line rests on a safety source or the code, named on the right.

Part	What should happen	Basis
Lint screen and the cabinet around it	Screen cleaned; lint collected around the drum and at the back of the dryer removed.	NFPA tip sheet; USFA
Transition duct (the short hose behind the dryer)	Cleaned, or replaced if it is plastic or foil. The code allows one listed length of no more than 8 feet, not hidden inside walls.	IRC M1502.4.3; USFA; Whirlpool
Exhaust duct run	Brushed and vacuumed from the dryer connection to the outside, and checked for crushed, disconnected or restricted sections.	USFA
Exterior hood and flap	Lint and nests cleared; the flap opens when the dryer runs. No screen across the opening.	NFPA tip sheet; IRC M1502.3
Gas dryers	Gas line and connection checked for leaks by a qualified professional.	NFPA tip sheet; USFA
After the cleaning	The dryer reconnected and run as a test. Fixr describes a 15 to 20 minute test run.	Fixr

How is dryer vent cleaning done?

Fixr describes the usual sequence. The technician unplugs the dryer and, on a gas dryer, turns off the supply valve. Lint is removed by hand first. Then a vacuum hose goes into the duct; where the vacuum cannot reach, a rotating brush is fed into the duct and worked back and forth, with extensions added for long runs. The dryer is reconnected, pushed back and run for 15 to 20 minutes to confirm it works.

For a vent that exits on the roof, the same work happens from the roof end as well. Our guide to cleaning a dryer vent from outside or on the roof covers what changes.

Is dryer vent cleaning necessary?

Yes, for any vented dryer. The lint screen does not catch everything: the USFA says lint is also carried through the vent system along with the moist air, and that lint is highly combustible. Built-up lint reduces airflow, the dryer runs hotter, and the USFA links that overheating to fires. It also names failure to clean as the leading factor in residential dryer fires, at 34 percent in its 2008 to 2010 data. NFPA's newer 2014 to 2018 estimate puts it at 32 percent.

The warning signs come first: jeans and towels that take longer to dry, clothes that feel hotter than usual at the end of a cycle, a flap that does not open. See signs of a clogged dryer vent.

Does air duct cleaning include dryer vent?

Not automatically. The International Residential Code requires dryer exhaust systems to be independent of all other systems (section M1502.2), so the dryer vent is a separate duct from your heating and cooling ducts. Some companies sell both together; HomeGuide prices a combined dryer vent and air duct cleaning at $340 to $800. If you book air duct cleaning, ask whether the dryer vent is on the work order.

Dryer vent cleaning cost

Job	HomeGuide	Fixr
Standard vent	$80 to $185	$100 to $200
Roof vent	$150 to $250	$150 to $300
Inspection only	$30 to $60	$30 to $60
National average	$130	$150

Prices by floor, problem and company are in the full dryer vent cleaning cost guide.

How to pick a dryer vent cleaning service near you

A "near me" search shows who is close, not who does a complete job. Five questions sort the companies quickly:

Does the price cover the full run to the outside hood, or only the section behind the dryer?
Is there an extra charge for a roof or second-floor vent, and how much?
Will you replace a plastic or foil transition duct, and what does that cost?
How do you confirm airflow after the cleaning?
Will I get the price in writing before work starts?

Or use the form below: we send your request to a dryer vent company that serves your ZIP code.

Dryer vent cleaning by city

Local code rules, housing figures and quotes for each city we cover:

Dryer vent guides

How to clean a dryer ventThe DIY method, the tools, and when to stop and call someone. How often to clean itOnce a year per the NFPA, and the cases that need more. Signs of a clogged ventWhat the USFA and dryer makers say to watch for. Cleaning from outside or the roofWall hoods, roof vents and finding the vent. Repair and replacementCrushed ducts, foil hoses, reroutes and the 35-foot rule. Installation and replacementNew vents, replacement costs and the materials the code allows. Apartments, condos and commercialShared vents, who is responsible, how often.

Dryer vent cleaning: common questions

What is dryer vent cleaning?

It is the removal of lint and debris from the duct that runs from the back of the dryer to the outside hood, plus the transition hose and the hood itself. It is separate from cleaning the lint screen, which you should do before or after every load, according to the NFPA.

Is dryer vent cleaning worth it?

At $80 to $185 for a standard vent (HomeGuide), usually yes. Failure to clean was the leading factor in home dryer fires in NFPA's 2014 to 2018 data, and a clear vent lets the dryer finish loads faster.

Is dryer vent cleaning a scam?

No. The NFPA and the USFA both recommend periodic vent cleaning. What to watch for is the upsell: get the price for the cleaning in writing first, and ask for any add-on, such as a bird guard or reroute, to be priced before work starts.

How often should dryer vents be professionally cleaned?

The NFPA says once a year, or more often if clothes take longer than normal to dry, done by you or by a dryer lint removal service. Large households, long runs and roof vents may need more. See our guide on how often to clean a dryer vent.

Can flexible dryer vent hose be cleaned?

A flexible metal hose can be cleaned, but check what it is first. Whirlpool says not to use flexible plastic or foil-type duct because it can collapse, crush and trap lint, and the USFA recommends replacing coiled-wire foil or plastic venting with rigid metal duct.

How much does it cost to clean a dryer vent?

$80 to $185 for a standard vent and $150 to $250 for a roof vent, according to HomeGuide. Fixr reports $100 to $200, with a national average of $150.

Sources

Vent & Flue analysis of FEMA NFIRS fire records, 2020 to 2024 (dryer fires summary, CSV): dryer-fires-2020-2024-summary.csv. This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. The Federal Government or FEMA cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from the Agency's website(s).
NFPA, "Home Dryer Fires", Marty Ahrens, June 2020: content.nfpa.org
NFPA, "Clothes dryer safety" tip sheet: nfpa.org
U.S. Fire Administration, "Clothes Dryer Fires in Residential Buildings (2008 to 2010)", August 2012: usfa.fema.gov
International Code Council, 2021 International Residential Code, section M1502: codes.iccsafe.org
Whirlpool, "Dryer venting specifications" (W11688180A): whirlpool.com
HomeGuide, "How much does dryer vent cleaning cost?", page dated April 29, 2024: homeguide.com
Fixr, "Dryer vent cleaning cost", updated January 31, 2025: fixr.com

All sources read September 23, 2026.