Most people know that a kitchen extract collects grease. Fewer think about the laundry. In hotels, care homes and other sites with commercial laundries, tumble dryers run for hours a day, and every load sends warm, damp air full of fine fibres into the extract duct. That lint builds up where nobody can see it. This guide explains why that matters and what a sensible maintenance routine looks like.
Where lint comes from
As clothes, towels and bedding tumble, tiny fibres break away. Most are caught by the dryer’s own lint filter, but not all. Some pass through, especially if the filter is full or damaged, and travel into the ductwork that carries air outside. As the air cools and slows, lint settles on the inside of the duct, on bends, around dampers and in the extract fan.
Why it’s a fire risk
Lint is light, dry and fluffy, and it burns easily. A dryer produces heat, and a duct coated in lint gives a fire somewhere to spread. Lint build-up also restricts airflow. When air can’t escape properly, dryers run hotter and longer, which adds to the risk and wastes energy. Any build-up near heat sources, motors or electrical parts makes things worse.
Like grease in a kitchen extract, lint in a laundry duct is a fuel load that should be considered in the site’s fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. See the responsible person under the Fire Safety Order.
Signs of a lint problem
- Loads take longer to dry than they used to.
- The laundry room feels hotter or more humid.
- Lint is visible around the dryer back, the duct connections or the outside vent.
- The outside vent flap sticks or doesn’t open fully.
- A burning smell, or dryers cutting out on overheat.
Any of these is a reason to stop and investigate before carrying on.
Need it done? Duct Doctor cleans and tests kitchen extract and ventilation systems across London and the South East, with a certificate and photo report after every clean. Get a fixed quote.
Daily habits
- Empty the dryer lint filter after every cycle, following the maker’s instructions.
- Check filters for tears and replace damaged ones.
- Keep the area around and behind dryers clear of lint and stored items.
- Don’t overload dryers, and don’t leave them running unattended overnight unless your fire risk assessment allows it.
- Report changes in drying time, noise or smell.
Cleaning the ductwork
Daily filter cleaning doesn’t reach the duct. The ductwork, any fire dampers in it, the extract fan and the outside vent all need cleaning on a schedule. How often depends on how many dryers there are, how many hours they run and how the duct is laid out. Inspecting the duct shows how quickly lint is building up, and the interval can be set from that.
Where laundry ducts pass through fire-resisting walls or floors there may be fire dampers. Lint and dust can stop them closing, and BESA says fire dampers should be tested at least annually (BESA).
Duct Doctor offers laundry and tumble-dryer extract cleaning, often on the same visit as the kitchen extract, with a photo report showing the ductwork before and after.
Hotels and care homes
In hotels, the laundry may run late into the night. In care homes, it often runs every day of the year, and residents may need help to leave the building in a fire. In both, laundry extract should sit alongside kitchen extract on the maintenance plan. See our guides for hotels and care homes.
Quick answers
Is cleaning the lint filter enough?
No. It helps a lot, but some lint still reaches the duct, fan and vent, which need cleaning too.
Is laundry extract covered by TR19 Grease?
No. TR19 Grease covers kitchen extract. Laundry ducts are cleaned separately to remove lint.
How often should laundry ducts be cleaned?
It depends on use. An inspection shows how fast lint builds up and sets a sensible interval.
Related services
More advice
- Hotel Kitchen Ventilation and Extract Cleaning
- Care Home Kitchen Ventilation and Extract Cleaning
- Fire Damper vs Smoke Damper: The Difference
- The Responsible Person Under the Fire Safety Order
- All advice
This guide is general information. It isn’t legal or insurance advice: check your own policy wording and lease, and speak to a qualified adviser about your fire risk assessment.