Dryer Duct Cleaning with the
Air-Care DuctMaster
YOU WILL NEED: Air-Care DuctMaster and the drill powered dryer duct cable with 4” dryer duct
brush (Included with DuctMaster).
Dryer exhaust ducts vary in construction, materials and configuration from city to city. The general
procedure for using the drill powered dryer duct cable described here may need to be modified to
safely and effectively clean these ducts in your area. An alternate tool to the drill powered cable is
the Forward and Reverse Air Whisk, which requires an air compressor.
CAUTION: Cleaning the exhaust duct on a clothes dryer will improve performance and reduce future
lint build up, but the dryer itself must also be cleaned and lint removed from its fan, heating area and
other interior components to reduce the risk of fire.
1. With the dryer running, clip the outside flap “OPEN” and check the airflow at the exhaust with a
flow meter. Write down the reading for comparison after cleaning.
Caution: If you cannot locate where the air exhausts outside then you cannot guarantee your
work and probably should not try to clean it. Refer the customer to their contractor.
2. Turn off the dryer, remove power, then move it away from the wall and disconnect the exhaust
tubing. If it is a gas dryer, be careful to not damage or break the gas line.
3. Attach the 3” diameter DuctMaster vacuum hose to
the end of the exhaust duct (inside or outside,
depending on configuration).
4. Use 20’ drill powered dryer duct cable with 4” dryer
duct brush.
5. Insert the drive end of the cable into the chuck of
your Electric Drill. A low speed (300-500RPM), 3/8”:
chuck is best suited.
6. Place the drill in the Air-Care drill holder and secure
with the included straps. Plug the drill into the foot
pedal switch and plug the pedal cord into the wall.
The pedal leaves both hands free.
7. Turn on the vacuum motors in the Air-Care
DuctMaster then insert the 4” brush into the dryer
vent. Start the drill using the foot pedal only AFTER
the brush has been inserted into the duct.
8. If you experience resistance to the brush, the cable may “Twist Up” on you. If so, STOP the
drill. Try reversing the rotation and go slowly until you get past the restriction.
9. A slow steady insertion is ideal, but you may need to pull the cable out a few inches and push
it rapidly back to get around some obstructions and elbows.
10. If the cable cannot be pushed all the way to the end of the duct, it may be necessary to also
insert the cable and brush from the other end of the duct.
11. If there is visible lint clog or bird nest, the Nest Claw tool may be needed to break it up. Attach
the nest claw tool to the cable with a setscrew, which is the same way the 4” dryer duct brush
attaches. CAUTION: The Nest Claw can be very aggressive and may damage flexible ducts.
12. If you only have access to one end of the exhaust duct, use the “Y” adapter to allow the
vacuum and the cable to be inserted from the same end of the exhaust duct.
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