How To Clean Your Air Ducts Yourself

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If you notice a lot of dust in your home, even after you've changed your furnace filters and after cleaning, chances are you need your duct work needs to be cleaned. Also, if you have cats or dogs in your home, or if anyone in your house has allergies or asthma, you should have your air ducts cleaned. Your ducts pull in the dust, dirt and pet dander that is in your home, while inside your duct work, it can cause a breeding ground for mold, mildew and bacteria. If left in your ducts, it can continue to circulate in your home and cause illness to you and your family members. See below for instructions on how to clean the air ducts yourself.

Here's What You'll Need:

• Vacuum cleaner (with hose and extension accessories)
• Gloves
• Mask
• Soap and hot water (in a bucket)
• Clean rags

Instructions:

1. Begin by cleaning the vents and grills around your entire home, this includes both wall and floor vents. These can all get pretty dusty and dirty, so you may want to remove them completely and place them into your bucket of hot soapy water to clean them thoroughly with a rag. Set them out onto a table covered with a towel or outside to dry.
2. Next, take your vacuum with the hose attachment (use a shop vacuum if you have one so you don't ruin your household vacuum) and begin vacuuming out your vents. Go in as far as your hose will allow you to go to remove as much dirt, dust and debris as possible.
3. To give your floor vents a more thorough cleaning, you can soak a rag in soapy water and clean the duct as far as you can reach. Be sure to use gloves when doing this.
4. Return air vents in your walls should also be vacuumed thoroughly, as there can be a lot of dust in these areas as well.
5. Replace the vents and grills around your home once they are all dry.

This method will only clean so far into your duct work (as far as your hose will reach). It will help, but to give your air ducts a more thorough cleaning, you should contact an HVAC company like Crystal Coast Heating & Air LLC to have your duct work cleaned out. They have the equipment and knowledge to give your duct work a proper cleaning and to remove dust and dander without damaging your duct work. 

3 June 2016