Dryer Cleaning vs. Vent Cleaning:
What’s the Difference, and Which Do You Need?
“Dryer cleaning” and “dryer vent cleaning” sound like the same job, but they clean two different parts of the system. Here is a plain-English breakdown of each service, what it includes, and what it costs, so you can pick the right one before you call.
Which Dryer Service Do You Need?
The fastest way to know: think about which part is dirty or not working. Match what you want done on the left to the service on the right.
You want to clean the lint out of the machine itself
Dryer Cleaning
You want to clean the exhaust line/duct running from the dryer
Dryer Vent Cleaning
You have a fan installed in a long vent line and want it cleaned
Booster-Fan Cleaning
Your booster fan has failed and needs to be swapped out
Booster-Fan Replacement
Not sure which one fits your setup? That is completely normal. Call us and we will figure it out with a few quick questions.
Dryer Cleaning
Cleaning lint from inside the appliance itself
$250 Flat rateWhat It Is
This is a deep clean of the dryer as a machine. Over time, lint slips past the trap and packs into the parts you cannot reach, the blower housing, the internal ducting, and around the heating element. We take the dryer apart, clean it out, put it back together, and confirm it runs.
What’s Included
- Take the dryer apart to reach the internal lint buildup
- Clean the drum area, blower housing, and internal ducting
- Clear lint from around the heating element
- Reassemble the dryer and confirm basic operation
Not Included
- Cleaning the vent line running to the outside
- Booster-fan cleaning or replacement
- Add vent cleaning and save with the bundle below
Dryer Vent Cleaning
Cleaning the exhaust duct that runs to the outside
$199 Vent up to 20 ft, no boosterWhat It Is
This clears the exhaust line, the duct that carries hot, moist air from the dryer out of your home. When that line clogs with lint, the dryer cannot vent properly, so it runs longer, gets hotter, and works harder than it should.
What’s Included
- Clean the dryer exhaust vent line, up to 20 feet
- Clear lint and buildup blocking airflow
- Confirm the line is venting freely to the outside
Not Included
- Taking apart and cleaning the dryer itself
- Vent runs longer than 20 feet (see booster cleaning)
- Booster-fan cleaning or replacement
Booster-Fan Cleaning
Cleaning the fan that keeps air moving in a long vent line
+$151 $350 total with vent cleaningWhat It Is
When a vent line runs longer than 20 feet, a booster fan is installed partway along it to keep the air pushing all the way outside. That fan collects lint too, so on longer runs the fan gets cleaned along with the line. This is a cleaning of the existing fan, not a new one.
What’s Included
- Clean the existing booster fan in the vent line
- Required add-on for vent runs longer than 20 feet
- Paired with vent cleaning for a full $350 service
Good to Know
- This is cleaning only, not a new fan
- A failed fan needs replacement (see next section)
- Not sure if you have a booster fan? We can confirm on site
Booster-Fan Replacement
Removing a failed fan and installing a new one
Priced by coverageWhat It Is
If the booster fan in your vent line has stopped working, cleaning will not bring it back. It has to be removed and a new fan installed in its place. This service covers the fan itself. The price depends on whether your fan is covered under a Total service contract, so we quote it once we confirm your coverage.
Dryer & Vent Cleaning Prices
Cleaning prices are the same whether or not you hold a Total service contract. Bundle the dryer and vent together and you save.
| Service | When to use it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dryer cleaning only | Clean lint from inside the machine | $250 |
| Vent cleaning only | Vent up to 20 ft, no booster fan | $199 |
| Vent + booster cleaning | Vent beyond 20 ft, booster fan present | $350 |
| Dryer + vent cleaning Save $64 | Both, vent up to 20 ft, no booster | $385 |
| Dryer + vent + booster cleaning Save $40 | Full clean when booster service is required | $560 |
| Booster-fan replacement | Failed fan removed and replaced (fan only) | Call us |
Prices shown are average ranges, not guaranteed quotes. Vent length and booster status are confirmed on site and can change the total. Booster-fan replacement is priced by service-contract coverage. Total service-contract holders receive a $50 credit toward any cleaning above.
How We Get You the Right Price
A short call is usually all it takes to land on the right service and a clear number.
Tell us what you want cleaned.
The dryer itself, the vent line, or both. If you are not sure, describe what the dryer is doing and we will point you to the right service.
We check the vent length and booster.
Vent runs up to 20 feet without a booster fan price differently than longer runs. If you do not know your length, that is fine. We confirm it on site.
You get the price up front.
You know the number before we start. If what we find on site changes the service, we tell you before doing any additional work.
We clean it and confirm airflow.
We clear the lint, reassemble anything we opened, and confirm the dryer is venting freely before we leave.
More Than Faster Laundry
A clogged dryer or vent line does more than drag out laundry day. It makes the dryer run hotter and work harder, which can shorten the life of the machine and drive up the power bill. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, failure to clean the dryer is the leading factor in home dryer fires. Left alone, trapped lint builds heat right where you do not want it. A regular cleaning keeps the system moving air the way it is supposed to.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between dryer cleaning and dryer vent cleaning?
Dryer cleaning is a deep clean of the machine itself. We take the dryer apart and clear the lint that builds up inside, around the blower and heating element. Dryer vent cleaning clears the exhaust duct that runs from the dryer to the outside of your home. One cleans the appliance, the other cleans the line it vents through. Many homes benefit from both, which is why we offer a bundle.
How do I know if my vent line is longer than 20 feet?
Most homeowners do not know offhand, and that is fine. As a rough guide, the farther your dryer sits from an outside wall, and the more the line travels up through a ceiling or roof, the longer the run. Vent lines beyond 20 feet use a booster fan. If you are not sure, we confirm the length on site before doing the work.
What is a booster fan, and do I have one?
A booster fan is a small fan installed partway along a long vent line to keep air moving all the way outside. It is used on runs longer than 20 feet. Shorter, direct vent lines usually do not have one. If you are unsure whether yours does, we can check when we are out.
Is booster-fan cleaning the same as booster-fan replacement?
No, and it is an important difference. Booster-fan cleaning clears lint from a fan that still works, and it is a $151 add-on required on vent runs longer than 20 feet. Booster-fan replacement is for a fan that has failed and needs to be swapped for a new one. Replacement is priced by your service-contract coverage, so we confirm that before quoting.
How often should a dryer vent be cleaned?
A common guideline is once a year, and more often for larger households that run the dryer daily or homes with long vent runs. If loads are taking longer to dry or the laundry room feels hot and humid during a cycle, it is worth having the vent looked at sooner.
What are the signs my dryer vent needs cleaning?
The most common signs: clothes take more than one cycle to dry, the dryer or laundry room feels unusually hot, there is a musty or burning smell during a cycle, or the lint screen fills up faster than it used to. Any of these can point to a vent line that is holding back airflow.
Does Total clean the dryer and the vent in the same visit?
Yes. If you want both, the dryer + vent bundle is $385 for a vent up to 20 feet with no booster fan, which saves you $64 versus booking each service on its own. When a booster fan is involved, the full dryer + vent + booster cleaning is $560.
Are cleaning prices different for service-contract holders?
Cleaning prices are the same whether or not you hold a Total service contract. Contract holders do receive a $50 credit toward any cleaning service. Booster-fan replacement is the one service where coverage changes the price, so we check your contract before quoting that.
What does booster-fan replacement cost?
It depends on your service-contract coverage, so we do not quote a single flat number online. For many contract holders the fan is covered. Give us a call and we will confirm your coverage and give you the exact price before anything is scheduled.
Not Sure Which Cleaning You Need? We’ll Sort It Out.
Tell us what your dryer is doing and we will point you to the right service and a clear price. No pressure, no upsell on the call. Just a straight answer.