Can I Clean Air Ducts Myself?

Since professional air duct cleaning can cost you a small fortune, knowing how to clean your air ducts can save you lots of money. Is it an important household task? Probably no. Can I do it myself? Certainly!

How To Clean Your Air Ducts On Your Own

When you decide to clean your air ducts on your own, you will be extremely surprised by the amounts of spider webs and dust that’s settle down there for years. You will notice fewer dust amounts settling down on your furniture surfaces after finishing your cleaning.

If you have forced air coming out of your air ducts that are filled with pet hair, dust, or debris, why deal with such things?

Fortunately, air duct cleaning isn’t that much hard especially if you use the proper tools and follow the following directions. Of course, you will not be able to reach the deep parts of your ducts as professional cleaners, but that’s fine as most of the dust & debris is at the beginning anyway and you can reach this spot easily.

Cleaning Your Air Ducts Tips

• You can use this technique to clean cold air that returns.
• Only deep cleaning can be done once or twice yearly. Clean your ducts monthly by lifting the register and vacuum all dirt, dust, and debris that you can see.
• If you have pets or small kids, you must think of owning air duct filters.
• Make certain that you change your HVAC air filters right after you clean your ducts.

Tools that you will need

• Vacuuming cleaner with a hose

• Dust brush

• Rotary dryer vent brush cleaner

• Cordless drill

• Microfiber cleaning cloths

Step 1: Cleaning The Wall Ducts

It is easy to remove floor registers by lifting them up. However, the wall registers require unscrewing by using the cordless drill. Another way is by removing & washing the vent in a soapy hot water sink, then let it dry in the air.

Concerning metal registers, you can clean them in the dishwasher, but if yours are painted you have to wash it by hand.

Once you bring out the registers, attach the dust brush to the end of the cordless drill. Make certain that it is attached very well before getting it inside your duct as you don’t want to lose your brush inside your duct system.

Turn on the drill and let it whip the vent brush inside your air duct. While the drill is still running very slow, pull the brush back while cleaning up the walls of your ducts. Turn off the drill once the brush reaches the last two feet or you will get dust spread everywhere.

When you remove the brush out of your ducts, stick the vacuum hose with the dust brush that is attached down inside your duct. Now, vacuum any dust or any other gunk up and give the brush a quick vacuum right before you move to the next duct.

Step 2: Clean The Rest

Use a wet microfiber cloth to reach inside the duct as far as you can to clean the interior part. You must wash the cloth repeatedly as you will find lots of dust inside it the first time you do this. For stubborn dirt, in particular, it is okay to spray a homemade cleaner on the cloth to wipe it all.  

Wipe the entire area around your duct that includes the wall & floor. Bring back the clean register to its place and you are now done! Easy right?