If you are suffering from allergy problems but can’t find the main cause of it, it just might be due to unclean air ventilation ducts. Having dirty air ventilation ducts at home can cause other problems as well for example, the components might wear out faster.
Overall, it is important to keep it clean but it might be difficult to do it on your own. Here are some ways you can clean the air ventilation ducts at your home all by yourself.
Step 1: Wear Protective Gear
Since you will be handling a huge amount of dust and dirt, make sure to wear a surgical mask and clothes you will not be wearing outside any time soon. This is an important step because inhaling dust, especially if you have allergies, can lead to further respiratory problems. It can also cause skin issues such as rashes.
Step 2: Turn Off the Power
Make sure you do not skip this step as it will reduce risks of any accidents occurring. Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Step 3: Clean and Cover the Air Vent Grilles
After removing the grilles, use a brush with thick bristles and clean them. After that, cover the openings with cloths or paper towels in order to prevent dust from getting into rooms.
Step 4: Prepare the Ducts for Cleaning
You should prepare the ducts before cleaning by loosening the layers of dust on the walls. This will help make the process of cleaning easier. You can do this by tapping on the walls to shake the sheets of dust loose with any of the tools you have available nearby such as the brush you used to clean the air vent grilles.
Step 5: Vacuum the Ducts
Vacuum the ducts as thoroughly as possible and use the hose to get into the crevices. The more heavy duty the vacuum, the better as it will be able to clean the ducts properly. You should consider using a heavy duty vacuum as it will help clean the ducts of mold. However, simply using a good quality vacuum will get rid of enough of the dirt.
Step 6: Tackle the Blower Compartment
The blower compartment is where most the dirt is so you have to pay extra attention to this part. After removing the panels in front of the furnace you will have access to the blower compartment. Continue to clean this part with your vacuum.
Step 7: Change the Furnace Filter
Using a good quality furnace filter will help keep your house clean and will also need to be changed regularly.
Final Thoughts
These steps are guaranteed to clean out a good portion of the dirt in your air ventilation ducts. It is necessary to keep them clean not only to make sure there is optimal air flow in your house but also for health reasons as dirt and bacteria build up there such as hair, dead skin, pet hair, etc. However, if you want even cleaner air ducts, hiring a professional is always an option.
