Your air vents collect a great deal of dust, debris, and other airborne particles. They become shockingly dirty quickly, and dirty air vents may have a significant impact on the quality of the air within your home. Depending on how quickly they become filthy, you must clean your air vents on a regular basis. What do you need to do, and how should you clean your vents? Here is an easy guide on how to clean dryer vent yourself.
Things You Need For Air Vent Cleaning
- Vacuum with a hose
- Dish soap
- Gloves
- A bucket or bathtub
- A scrubbing brush
- Screwdriver (type of screwdriver depends on your vents)
How To Clean Air Vents In Apartment
This is applicable to floor, wall, and ceiling vents. No matter where your vent is mounted, this guide applies to all of them. The instructions are generic and may not apply to all types of vents; nevertheless, cleaning the majority of household vents should be reasonably straightforward — turn your HVAC system off.
Before starting the guide on how to clean dryer vent, switch off the HVAC system. This includes your heating and cooling systems. You should be able to do so via your thermostat, but you can also physically turn them off.
Remove The Vents
Some vents can be removed by simply pulling them off, but the majority require a screwdriver. Remove the vents and place them to the side.
Vacuum The Ducts
Your ducts are probably filthy, so run your vacuum hose through them! Remove as much dust and grime as possible from the ducting. At this stage, there is no reason to clean out the whole duct; only the section around the vents should be cleaned.
If you want a thorough air duct cleaning, you should hire a professional HVAC professional.
Dust Off Your Vents
Utilize a duster to remove excess dust and grime from your vents. Remove this dust and throw it away; try not to breathe in too much of it. Dust your vents, preferably within a trash bag, so that the dust doesn’t blow up into the air and into your nose.
Have Some Soapy Water Ready
Get some warm water and add dish soap to it. Ensure that the water has a substantial amount of lather; this indicates that the water has been adequately soap-treated.
You should do this in the bathtub, but if you don’t have one, a wash basin or a bucket would suffice.
Soak The Vents
Wondering how to clean dryer vent? Here is where the actual cleaning occurs. You should soak your vents for 10 to 15 minutes in a tub or basin. It is not required to soak them for more than 15 minutes, and if your vents are constructed of iron or non-stainless steel, doing so could cause them to rust.
We wash the vents to remove any grease or grime that may have accumulated on the vents. When you replace them, you will not have to clean them again for some time.
Dry Your Vents
Vents should be as straightforward to install as they are to remove, yet ceiling vents can be a nuisance. It’s fine if your vents are still a little damp; it won’t affect your HVAC system. However, make every effort to get them as dry as possible.
Replace The Air Filter And Restart The HVAC System
Replace the air filter at the location of your furnace. If you’ve been experiencing a problem with dusty vents, the culprit is likely a clogged filter.
If the filter appears clear, there is no need to replace it.
After replacing the air filter, restart the system. You should not have to clean your vents again for a few months, as you have just completed this task.
Now that you know how to clean dryer vent, don’t hesitate to contact HVAC professionals, like Duct Pros, if you need thorough and regular maintenance for your vents. Schedule an appointment with us, or you may reach out directly with any questions or concerns you may have, and we will try our best to answer them with your best interest in mind.
