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Yes, mold can grow in a wet dryer vent. Mold is a type of fungi, and fungi thrive in warm, moist conditions. Dryer vents need to be aired out so heat can escape and moisture can dry. If your dryer vents aren’t properly vented, the trapped heat and moisture will cause mold to grow, and the mold can spread to the dryer and even your clothes. Not only can this leave a musty smell on your freshly laundered clothes, but—more importantly—it also poses a health risk.

The frequency of cleaning your dryer depends on how often you use it. For regular households, it is recommended to clean the lint trap after each load of laundry. Additionally, thorough cleaning of the dryer—lint trap, drum, and exterior—should be done every few months. It's important to pay attention to the vent system as well. Ideally, it should be cleaned at least once a year, or six months if your dryer takes care of huge loads often, or more frequently if you notice reduced drying efficiency.

You should not put boric acid into your home’s air vents. While sprinkling boric acid in roach-prone areas is an effective way to get rid of them, it’s not safe to introduce those chemicals into your home’s air system. Instead, put boric acid or diatomaceous earth in a spot that roaches may walk through, infesting them and the rest of the infestation.

There are a few things you can look out for that indicate it’s time to clean your dryer vent, including the following:

• It has been a year or more since the last professional cleaning.

• Your clothes are taking longer to dry than usual.

• Your clothes smell musty or burnt when they come out of the dryer.

• You see lint building up around the outside dryer vent cap.

• Your laundry room is unusually hot.

• Your dryer is unusually hot to the touch during operation.

• You notice a kink in or damage to the vent.