Cleaning Heater Vent Covers and Air Ducts.

How to Clean Air Ducts and Grate/Vent Covers

Out of sight, out of mind is how many people treat their air ducts and grates covers – and I used to be guilty of that, too. I was in the habit of forgetting (or ignoring) my air ducts, until I noticed my two little darling girls hovering over the vent enjoying a game of “let’s drop things in the air duct”.

As I checked to inspect what they were dropping down the vent, I was unpleasantly surprised to see a gross little collection of dirt, dust, scraps of paper, bobby pins, barrettes and who knows what else that had been quietly growing inside the vent since the house was originally built. I couldn’t ignore the dirt, dust and grime so I pulled out my cleaning supplies and trusty tools.

When to Clean Air Ducts

Air ducts are part of a home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC). The duct itself does not move and is usually a square or round tube made of sheet metal. Air ducts’ only purpose is to carry cooled or heated air from a home’s ventilation system into individual areas in the home.

The EPA recommends that you DO NOT clean your home’s air ducts regularly, but only as-needed.

Cleaning Air Ducts “As needed” means:

• If the air ducts have been contaminated with mold and mildew.
• If the air ducts have been infested with rodents or insects.
• If the air ducts are clogged with EXCESSIVE amounts of dirt, dust or debris.

Mold and mildew grow in damp conditions, and if the air ducts have excessive amounts of dirt or have been infiltrated by rodents or insects then you have a problem that needs to be repaired before you consider cleaning.

Address any leaks or holes in the air ducts or ventilation system first before attempting to clean the air ducts as the problem will eventually return.

Finding an Ethical Air Duct Cleaning Company

Mold, mildew, insects and rodents can cause very serious health problems. Don’t stir up any of that unhealthy dirt and grime trying to clean it yourself! If your ducts meet the EPA’s qualifications for needing a deep clean, call a professional.

Check with the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find a reputable and ethical company to do business with.

These organizations recommend:

• Interviewing at least three different cleaning service providers and obtaining written estimates before selecting a company.
• Asking the company to show you the contamination that justifies having your ducts cleaned.
• Avoiding duct cleaners who make sweeping claims about the health benefits of duct cleaning – these are the scam artists.
• Not allowing the use of any chemicals unless you fully understand the need for them and the risks of using them inside your ducts.
• Checking the company references to be sure that other customers were satisfied with the job that was done.

Watch Out For Scams

You’ve probably come across advertisements for professional air duct cleaning, maybe even received flyers offering unbelievably low prices or big discounts for seniors.

Before booking a cleaning service, it’s important to know that the air duct cleaning industry has been plagued for years by “bait-and-switch” scams, with senior citizens often being the primary targets.

While it’s essential to keep key parts of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system clean, such as cooling coils, fans, filters, and heat exchangers, don’t get lured in by bargain offers. Always research the company first and understand when duct cleaning is actually needed. Unnecessary or poorly done cleanings can be a waste of money and may even worsen air quality, especially for people with breathing issues.

How to Clean Air Ducts Yourself

If you’ve noticed surface dust and dirt in your air ducts – like I did – you can easily clean them yourself with just a few basic tools. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get your air ducts and vent covers looking fresh again.

Supplies Needed

• Screwdriver (to remove vent covers)
• Vacuum (preferably with a HEPA filter)
• Soft brush vacuum attachment
• Clean cloths (dry and damp)
• All-purpose cleaner or degreaser

Remove the Vent Covers

Air ducts have two main parts:

• Return vents pull air from your home back into the HVAC system (usually larger and on walls or ceilings).
• Supply vents blow heated or cooled air into your home (usually smaller and on the floor).

Both can get dusty and grimy:

• Return vents often collect dust on the outside.
• Floor vents tend to collect dirt and small debris on the inside.

How to Remove Vent Covers

• Wall or ceiling vents are typically secured with screws, remove these carefully and keep them in a plastic bag so you don’t lose them.
• Floor vents may just lift out.

Clean the Vent Covers

• Soak metal or plastic vent covers in a sink or bathtub with warm water and a small amount of dish soap.
• Do not soak wooden vent covers – instead, wipe them with a damp cloth and follow up with a diluted wood cleaner.

Tip:

• Let the vent covers soak while you clean the ducts.
• Don’t overdo the soap, a little goes a long way.

Remove Large Debris

With the covers off, check for large debris:

• Common finds: toys, food, paper clips, and other household odds and ends.
• Carefully remove anything by hand, making sure not to push it farther down the duct.

Vacuum Out Dust and Dirt

• Attach the soft brush to your vacuum hose to gently dislodge and vacuum dust.
• Reach as far as you can into the duct.
• If the brush attachment tends to fall off, secure it with duct tape.
• To go deeper, remove the brush and just use the hose, it’s lighter and can reach further.

Wipe Down the Duct Interior

After vacuuming, wipe down the inside:

• Use a slightly damp cloth to remove leftover grime.
• For sticky buildup or grease, spray a bit of all-purpose cleaner or degreaser and wipe clean.
• Finish with a dry cloth to remove any moisture.

Clean-Up and Replace Vent Covers

• Scrub any remaining dirt off the vent covers with a sponge. For stubborn grime, use a toothbrush to get into tight spaces.
• Rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
• Reattach the covers, either by screwing them back on or placing them back into the floor vents.

That’s it! With just a little effort, your air ducts and vents can be cleaner, helping to improve air quality and reduce dust in your home.

Keeping Air Ducts Clean

The air filters are the first in line to keep your air ducts clean. Check and replace the air filters in your heating/cooling unit on a schedule. Dirty plugged up air filters make your air conditioning or heating system work much harder to move the air and can cause the system to break down.

Guidelines for Replacing Air Filters

• Traditional fiberglass or polyester filters should be checked: monthly.
• Washable and/or reusable filters should be: washed or cleaned monthly (if reused).
• Ordinary flat or pleated filters should be checked: every 2 – 3 months.
• Deep pleated filters should be checked: once or twice per year.
• Permanently charged electrostatic pleated filters should be checked: every 2 – 3 months.
• Electronic air cleaner filters should be: cleaned regularly about once a month, depending on use.

Air conditioning and heating systems are much more effective when the air filters are replaced (or cleaned) regularly. Changing the air filter frequently also increases air quality in your home.

Great Job! It takes a little bit of time, but the ducts and grates do not need to be cleaned very frequently. Take a deep breath, relax and enjoy your clean air.