There is nothing more unpleasant than the odor of musty air coming from air vents. It can make any house feel dirty and uninviting, which is why every homeowner needs to learn how to clean air vents in the home.
Air vents are the most ignored part of a house or apartment. Often, homeowners keep their air purifiers running to get rid of the stale odor.
However, dirty air vents cause a home’s residents to unknowingly breathe in dust and dirt particles, which can be hazardous to their health. This is why keeping air vents clean can make a huge difference to the quality of air that individuals breathe inside the home.
While it’s highly recommended to hire professional air duct cleaning services, here is a guide on how you can clean your air ducts yourself.

Why It Makes Sense to Clean Air Ducts Regularly

Clean ducts lead to clean air — a major benefit of cleaning air ducts. With fewer pollutants and allergens in the air, residents prone to allergies or those who have asthma will be able to breathe easily.
Another added benefit of having clean air vents is they will make the home’s heating system last longer. Dust wears out its parts, causing it to have a shorter lifespan.
Finally, knowing how to clean air vents in the home helps the HVAC system run more efficiently. Dust, mold, and dander tend to clog up the ductwork. Cleaning removes these clogs and allows your air vents to work at optimal levels.

What Do You Need to Clean Your Home’s Air Ducts?

Those who want to learn how to clean air vents in their apartment or house will need these things for a successful cleaning project:
● Vacuum: Any traditional home vacuum with a standard hose attached will do. If a heavy-duty type is available, that’s much better.
● Furnace filter: The filter’s job is to trap dust, dirt, and other debris that travel through the home’s air supply. The old furnace filter must be replaced with a new one.
● Medium-sized brush: Any paintbrush with stiff bristles will work well. Alternatively, you can use a new toilet brush.
● Screwdriver or hex driver: A Phillips screwdriver or one-fourth inch hex driver can easily remove the fasteners holding the air ducts in place.
● Paper towels: Use them to cover the registers while cleaning the vents. Otherwise, all the dust needs to be swept off the floor or vacuumed off the carpet afterward.

Steps to Cleaning Air Vents in the House

Without further ado, here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean air vents in the home:

Step 1: Cover the Air Supply Registers

These are the openings that supply heated air to all rooms of the house. They keep trapped dust from being released into the rooms. Lift the registers, wrap them in a paper towel, and then replace them.

Step 2: Turn On the Fan

Keep the fan running while cleaning to keep all dust moving along with the brushing. Turn on the fan-only option, making sure your heating or cooling is turned off.

Step 3: Check the Filter

Check if the old furnace filter is set firmly in place. This ensures that the dust that will be knocked loose won’t be pulled in by the fan motor.

Step 4: Loosen the Dust

Tap or bang on the ductwork with the stiff-bristled brush. This motion breaks up the dust and dirty deposits that are stuck inside the ducts.

Step 5: Clean the Air Supply Registers

Place the end of the vacuum hose near the register. Then, lift the register and catch all the dust that’s being pushed out by the fan motor. Sweep as far into the piping as possible. Then, remove the paper towels.

Step 6: Clean the Return Air Registers

Sweep out the return air registers, which are likely fastened by a screw. Once unfastened, sweep as far back into the register piping as possible.

Step 7: Turn Off Both Fan and Furnace

Turn the fan and the furnace off by locating the main switch or breaker panel. Shutting off only the thermostat doesn’t turn off the unit’s main power.

Step 8: Clean the Blower Compartment

Remove the furnace’s front panels and vacuum out all the dust in the blower compartment. This is where most of the dust will be. Then, return the air boot. Clean the furnace fan as well to make sure it’s no longer clogged with dirt.

Expert Air Duct Cleaning Services for the Home

We hope that you’ve learned how to clean air vents in the home through this article. However, not all DIY air duct cleaning projects can guarantee a thorough clean. If dirt is still trapped in the vents, you might have to clean it again much sooner than expected.
Luckily, hiring professionals for air duct cleaning is as easy as calling (352)-505-3321. For more information on how The Best Restoration can provide expert service and care for your home or apartment’s air vents, visit our website today.

A Guide on How to Clean the Air Vents in Home