DIY air duct cleaning can improve the air quality in your home and reduce dust build up. Learning how to cleaning air ducts yourself is easy and can save the expense of professional cleaning.
Supply Vent in Wall (DIY Air Duct Cleaning, How to Clean Air Ducts)
DIY Air Duct Cleaning Instructions, How to Clean Air Ducts by Yourself
Learn how to clean air ducts with a few simple steps. You will need a vacuum with a flexible hose, rags, gloves, and possibly a screwdriver.
Hiring air duct cleaning companies can be costly. Most homeowners can learn how to cleaning air ducts yourself without significant difficulty. True DIY air duct cleaning involves all of the ductwork in the home, both returns, and supplies.
Supplies may also be referred to as registers or vents. This is the portion of the ductwork that brings heat or air conditioning into individual rooms. Average homes have two or more returns, the ductwork / DIY air duct cleaning that pulls the air from the home to the system for heating or cooling.
Ductwork can be cleaned in a couple of different ways. A simple vacuuming may be all that is needed. If the job has not been done for a considerable period of time washing the insides may be required. The equipment need is fairly simple and the job should not take a great deal of time.
Read Also:
- Is Your Home Safe? Here Are 5 Contaminants That May Plague Your Home
- Everything You Need to Know About Air Conditioning Installation
- Make It Clean and Fresh: 5 Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality at Home
- The Ultimate Guide to Know All About Ducted Air Conditioning
- Is It Safe to Leave the Air Conditioner on All Day?
- Five Reasons to Upgrade an Air Conditioning Unit
Equipment Required: DIY Air Duct Cleaning
- A good vacuum with a long flexible hose and dusting brush attachment.
- Duct tape.
- A set of screwdrivers.
- Thick gloves to prevent cuts from sharp metal edges.
- A bucket and mild cleanser.
- Quality rags for washing and drying.
Vacuuming Your Ductwork
Begin by removing the vent cover. Some covers may simply lift out and some will be held in place by screws. Attach the dusting brush to the flexible vacuum hose and secure it in place with duct tape. This will prevent it from falling off inside the duct.
Begin vacuuming all sides of the vent. For long straight ductwork, regular extension pieces for the vacuum may be used in addition to the flexible hose. Reach as far as you can to thoroughly clean the interior.
Return Vent Set into Floor (How to Clean Air Ducts)
Washing Your Ductwork
The interior of the ducts may be washed with a mild antibacterial cleaner. Use a good cleaning rag and wring out excess liquid to do the job of DIY air duct cleaning. Overly wetting the inside of the ductwork could lead to mold growth. Use dry rags to wipe out any residue.
Remember that there can be sharp edges inside metal ductwork so use gloves to protect your hands.
Additional Tips on How to Clean Air Ducts
Ductwork/DIY air duct cleaning in exposed areas can be taken apart to gain more access. This should be done carefully to prevent any damage to the duct and avoid cuts from sharp edges. Sealants and biocides that are used by some duct cleaning companies are not recommended by the EPA unless absolutely necessary.
If you have odors coming from your ductwork, If you have odors coming from your ductwork, there are some other tips that you can try for removing the smell. Baking soda is an excellent remedy.
Clean the supply and return covers before replacing them. They can be vacuumed or washed down. Replace the furnace filters as recommended by the manufacturer and use the best quality that you can afford. Replacing furnace filters in your homes helps protect the system but does not fully clean the air in the home. Dirty supply ducts just spread more dirt around your home. Dirty returns clog furnace filters more quickly.
Learning how to clean air ducts by yourself can help you maintain better air quality in your home without additional expenses.
References
- epa.gov; Indoor Air Quality (IAQ); https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq
