How To Clean Air Vents At Home

With spring approaching, you may be considering ways to improve your property. If you’re looking to start with a small but significant step, consider cleaning the air you breathe. Over time, your air vents can accumulate a surprising amount of dust, dirt, and debris, particularly if you live in a region prone to weather events that kick up dust and debris.

In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide to clean air vents at home, helping you maintain high indoor air quality and prevent potentially expensive repairs and replacements caused by neglect.  And we’ll share why it’s essential to clean your air vents regularly, particularly if you reside in areas like the Antelope Valley in Los Angeles County.

How to Clean Air Vents At Home

Here’s the supplies you’ll need:

• Vacuum with a long hose
• Detergent or dish soap
• Gloves
• Goggles
• A small bucket and tub
• Step stool/ladder
• Basic tool kit with a screwdriver
• A scrubbing brush

Steps

The steps below are not subject to where your vent is mounted, so they will work for floor, wall, and ceiling air vents. However, you’ll have to follow the instructions thoroughly and turn off your HVAC system before starting. Although, if you’re not a fan of DIY cleanup, you can always hire an HVAC cleaning service in Antelope Valley to save time and energy. Plus, you’ll have your vents professionally cleaned by experts who know what they’re doing. Regardless, here are the steps:

1.     Remove the Vents

The first step is to safely remove the vents and set them aside. While most can be easily pulled off, many require a screwdriver, especially ceiling ones.

2.     Vacuum the Duct

If you haven’t cleaned your vents before or in a long time, they’ll likely be dirty, so grab the vacuum hose and let it run at full speed. However, there’s no need to go too deep into the ducts at this stage. Just vacuum the area near the vent and use a duster to get any stubborn dust or debris particles out, and collect it all in a garbage bag.

3.     Make a Detergent Solution

Mix some dish soap or detergent with warm water in a bucket and ensure it has a sufficient amount of lather in it. You can also use your bathtub or washbasin if the air vent is close to it.

4.     Soak Air Vents

This is the most important stage of the cleaning process, and it simply requires soaking your vents in the detergent solution for 10-15 minutes. However, if your vents are not made of stainless steel or aluminum, they might rust, so don’t keep them in any longer. This process will get rid of any grease that allows dust to collect on the vents.

5.     Dry Your Vents and Replace Air Filters

The next step involves drying your vents with a towel and putting them back up, which is as simple as taking them off. Once your air vents are clean, go to where your cooling unit or furnace is and replace the air filter. If your vents were filled with dust, then you’ll likely have a clogged filter as well. Once you replace it, it’s time to turn your system back on and breathe the fresh, clean air.

Consequences of Irregular Vent Cleaning & Poor Maintenance

1.    Mold Buildup

One of the most destructive consequences of irregular vent cleaning is mold buildup, especially if you have air vents with insulation. When water gets into your HVAC system due to a roof leak, condensation buildup, or burst pipe during a storm,  the moisture will foster a suitable environment for mold to grow in less than 24 hours. Since vents disperse air throughout the structure, they can easily carry mold spores through your home. Not only does this encourage its growth further, but it also results in an unpleasant musty smell and health complications, such as itchy eyes, wheezing, and asthma, etc. If your vents are left untreated for a long time, you’ll likely need to call a home restoration service in Antelope Valley to contain and reverse the damage.

2.    Clogging

Air vents collect a lot of dust and debris over time. If not cleaned regularly, they will get clogged due to the particles clumping together and blocking the air passage, thus, reducing airflow. Not only will this affect your cooling and heating, but it will force your HVAC system to work harder than it needs to. As a result, it can cause it to malfunction and require untimely and unnecessary repairs.

3.    Pest Infestation

Mold, dust, and moisture can also become an ideal breeding ground for pests if you don’t clean your air vents regularly. The longer you leave your HVAC system untreated, the bigger those creepy crawlies get and continue to multiply.

Expert HVAC Cleaning Services – 911 Restoration of Antelope Valley

Ultimately, neglecting your air vents will cost you more money in the long run since poorly maintained HVAC systems incur higher electricity bills and are more prone to damage. Learning how to clean air vents at home can ensure that you not only maintain your air quality but also keep your system in check and call professionals when required.

At 911 Restoration of Antelope Valley, we believe that damage prevention is better than repairs, and the key to prevention is through proactive property inspection/assessment and routine maintenance. Our team is equipped with the latest cleaning equipment and industry-grade solutions for disinfection, pest control, and mold remediation. So, you can rest assured that your air vents will be spotless by the time we’re done with them.

Feel free to call us at (661) 401-7303 for more information regarding our home restoration services.  We offer a free visual inspection for property owners!