Over time, dirt and debris build up in your vents, harming your home's indoor air quality. If you let it build up for too long, it can lead to mold and mildew growth in your ductwork. Therefore, twice a year, you should perform basic vent cleaning. Here's how to perform vent cleaning properly.
Remove the vents. Use a screwdriver to remove each vent and register and place them somewhere out of the way. If you have vents of different sizes, try to remember which one goes where so that putting them back later is easy and not a hassle.
Dust the vents. Use a microfiber cloth to clean the visible dust off of the vents. It might be a good idea to do this outside so dust doesn't end up in your air.
Soak the vents. Soak your vents in warm water and dish soap for 15 minutes.
Clean the ducts. While your vents are soaking, use a vacuum to get rid of dirt and dust that's accumulated in your ducts. You won't be able to reach the entire duct, so focus on the area just inside the vent.
Clean the vents. Once the vents have thoroughly soaked, give them a good cleaning with a scrub brush to remove the more stubborn dirt and grease that didn't come off with the dusting. Then, rinse the soap off.
Dry your vents. Use a clean dish towel to dry the vents off. Try to get them as dry as possible, but it's OK if they're still a little damp when you put them back. They can air dry the rest of the way in a couple of hours.
Put the vents back. Take your screwdriver and put each vent back in place. You're done!
If you find you need vent cleaning more than twice a year, try replacing the air filter more often. Debris from a dirty filter will continually recirculate through your home, getting onto your vents and into your air.
For more help with vent cleaning and keeping your ductwork clean and efficient, contact us at Air Assurance. We're Broken Arrow's trusted source for quality home-comfort solutions.