Clothes (especially jeans and towels) take longer time to dry. Clothes are hotter than normal at the end of the cycle. Outside vent hood doesn’t move when the dryer is on. The vent has not been clean in the last year. Dryer keeps shutting off before the end of the timer. Visible lint accumulates behind the dryer. Birds entering the outside vent entrance.

	Clean the lint trap after each use. Also once a month check the lint screen, by making sure that water can pass through. If water is staying on top of the lint screen then clean it with old toothbrush and hot soapy water.
	Move the dryer and vacuum lint that has collected behind and underneath.
	Do not place a nylon stocking or bug screen over the outside vent hood or other openings.
	It is preferable not to use soft flexible ducts for vent piping. These are typically plastic films or some foil material placed over wire coils. Metal ducts will not burn if lint inside the duct catches fire.
	Do not kink or crush the vent pipe or fittings to make up for a lack of room behind the dryer. Vent only to the outside - do not vent the dryer into an attic or crawl space.
	Make sure the exterior vent cap is not obstructed. Trim shrubbery around the vent in order to maintain at least 12 inches of clearance.
	Do not use the dryer for drying clothes or rags which have been used to absorb flammable liquids.
	Never use your dryer when you are asleep or away from home.
	Don't forget to read manufacturers' warnings in use and care manuals that accompany new dryers. Also, warning markings can usually be found on the inside of the dryer's lid and take only minutes to read.