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[Pooky1]

today me and my mil took dryer back off and the peice that dryer lint filter goes into and we couldnt believe how much lint was in there. it was like three  quarters of the way blocked. its like 12 years old. it so could have caught on fire. anyone that hasnt cleaned your dryer out should look into it or have someone clean it out. they say thousands of house fires are caused by dryer fires.  good luck everyone.

[kivah]

Years ago I purchased a long, slim brush from the Q. I regularly remove the filter (in front of my dryer) and use the brush to remove the lint. Taking off the back of the machine is better - but I haven't done that. When u call to have ur washer/dryer repaired, it's good to ask the repairman to do that. Many house fires are caused by lint build-up. I also use this brush to clean under my washer/dryer, refrigerator/stove. They sell the brushes at Lowes.

[Nightowlz]

Our vent runs out the wall on the side of the house outside. It's not on the roof like some.

All DH has to do is clean it out from the outside vent. No moving anything.

[qualitygal]

Get out your vac hose and start vacuuming.  

[mimomof4]

We try to clean out all of the lint we possibly can.  You are probably going to notice that your clothes will dry much faster.

Although ours vents to the outside even that hose can get backed up.  Every once in a while we have to vaccuum it out.  We also had to take the front apart and clean out the extra lint which was blocking the sensor.  Thankfully DH is very handy so I don't have to pay repairman for this work - just open up You Tube.

[2blonde]

@kivah I have one of those brushes too.  I use it, and do periodicaly check the vent pipe that goes to the outside because it has to go "uphill" to get from the basement to the ground level.  I you feel the outside of that pipe and it doesn't feel warm while you're drying, then you know it's at least partially blocked.  I also, of course, clean the filter after every 2 loads.

Another tip I got from the repairman was to periodically pull out the filter and scrub it under warm water.  He showed me how the fabric softener builds up on the screen (you can't see it) to the point where even the running water wouldn't go through it!

[CelticCrafter]

The lint on mine builds up under the filter and it wouldn't go all the way back down into the slot.  I keep an eye on it now.

[Sweetbay magnolia]

Absolutely, @Pooky1.  Good reminder.

In my last house, the dryer vented through a conduit over the finished family room ceiling.  It originated in the laundry room next door that was unfinished.

Unbeknown to me, the exhaust pipe over the family room ceiling had come apart - it was in sections - and for some length of time (who knows?) the dryer was venting directly into the enclosed ceiling cavity instead of going out the exterior wall - OMG.  I was mortified.  Talk about a fire hazard.

Thank heavens my HVAC tech discovered it while we were having a new system installed, and I had it fixed. 

[kivah]

I stopped using liquid fabric softener in my washer - and dryer fabric sheets - 10- yrs ago. They're unnecessary and they CLOG up the washer/dryer. In addition to the liquid detergent (I use HE), I now pour a little white vinegar and/or baking soda into the washer. 

[SilleeMee]

I had a pro come to my house and clean out my dryer vent and the dryer itself. All in all it was amazingly clean considering how long it was in use without a good cleaning. My dryer is vented through a wall, not up through the roof, and I also vacuum the dryer vent front and back sides regularly. I check the exhaust vent on the outside of my house, too, for any obstructions...look inside with a flashlight to check for trapped lint.