Cleaning your home’s air ducts improves indoor air quality and the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. While professional duct cleaning services are recommended for thorough cleanings, there are some DIY duct cleaning tips you can do to maintain your system in between professional services. Here we provide 5 easy-to-do air duct cleaning tips to improve your indoor air quality.
1. Clean Air Vents and Vent Covers
The first DIY cleaning task is wiping down all visible air vents and vent covers around your home. All the dust and debris blown through your ductwork eventually sticks to these vents. Start by removing the vent covers and soaking them in warm water mixed with a small amount of dish soap. If needed, use an old toothbrush or scrub brush to remove stubborn gunk and pet hair.
Thoroughly dry the vent covers with paper towels before placing them back on the vents. Then use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe away any dust buildup around vent openings. Small paintbrushes are handy for cleaning slats on floor and ceiling vents. If the vent covers are extremely dirty, a professional cleaning company can provide a deeper clean.
2. Vacuum Supply Registers and Return Grilles
After wiping down your ventilation covers, it’s time to vacuum out the duct openings. This pulls out loose debris inside the ductwork closest to the vents. Use a vacuum hose attachment and suction as far from the removed vent covers into duct openings as possible. Slowly move the hose around to dislodge dirt.
Focus first on supply duct registers which push conditioned air into rooms. Then do a pass over return grilles which pull air back to your HVAC system’s main unit. Vacuuming vents work well for quick, surface-level duct cleaning.
3. Clean Air Ducts with a DIY Vent Brush
For cleaning beyond what your vacuum can reach, a duct vent brush is a handy DIYer’s tool. These attach to rods up to 3 feet long, letting you scrub debris from duct interiors. Use short, sweeping motions to whisk away dust inside the air supply vent and registers. Take care not to push debris further into ducts.
Clean as much dust mask as far into return air vents as possible too. This assures particles aren’t sucked back to the main HVAC components. DIY vent brushes are an easy way to keep your air ducts cleaner between professional cleanings. Just take care not to damage your ductwork.
4. Disinfect Ducts with an Antimicrobial Spray
For an even deeper clean, use an EPA-approved antimicrobial spray made for HVAC systems. These disinfectants kill mold, bacteria, and other allergens that vacuuming alone can’t tackle. Find duct cleaning sprays at hardware stores. Turn off your HVAC system and spray product into vents and registers. Let it sit per label instructions before turning the airflow back on. Wear gloves and eye protection and use disinfectants cautiously. Improper use could damage your system. Still, when done correctly, antimicrobial sprays help create a healthier indoor living environment.
5. Cover Vents During Renovations
When doing any demolition or construction in your home, be sure to seal off air vents and return first. Hanging plastic sheeting helps prevent drywall dust and debris from entering ducts. Change air filters frequently during renovations too. All that extra construction dust will quickly clog up filters, lowering system efficiency. After the final cleanup, inspect all vents and use vent brushes or a used vacuum cleaner to remove any particles that entered the duct system. Protecting ducts means cleaner air post-renovation.
When to Call for Professional Air Duct Cleaning
For most homeowners, following the simple cleaning tips above will sufficiently maintain ductwork in between professional cleanings every 3-5 years. Here are signs it’s time to call in professional cleaning from a product cleaning company:
- Visible mold growth inside vents or on other HVAC components
- Musty odor coming from supply vents
- Single vent blowing significantly less air than others
- Skyrocketing energy bills indicate inefficient system
- Recent home flooding or water damage
- Health issues like recurring respiratory illness
- Excess dust and particles blowing out supply vents
- Rodents or dead animals discovered inside ductwork
Professional air duct cleaners use powerful vacuums, brushes, and commercial disinfectants to scrub your entire duct system spotless. They can also check for duct leaks causing pressure imbalances and ensure all components and supply ducts are hygienic.
Bottomline
From simply vacuuming vents to deep cleaning your home’s entire ductwork, keeping your air ducts and system hygienic pays big dividends in healthier indoor air. Put these handy cleaning tips into action. When in doubt, call an HVAC company. Air ducts have risks, so exercise caution when DIY cleaning. Breathe easier knowing the air blowing through your home is dust and allergen-free.
