Say Goodbye To Dusty Air Vent Covers With These Kitchen Staples

Keeping your air vents clean comes with some important benefits. It saves you money, keeps your air fresh, and cleaning your A/C vent can make your home cooler. The vent cover may not seem like a very important part of the system, but it can end up with a lot of dust and grime stuck to it. As the air passes through the vent, that dust can be blown back into your air or sucked further into the duct system, neither of which is great.

Luckily, cleaning a vent cover is simple. Before you get started, you should check how the cover is attached and make sure you have the appropriate tool. While you can just wipe down the cover, you'll be able to clean it more effectively if you remove it. Next, gather your supplies. All you need is your favorite kitchen soap, some vinegar, a soft brush or cloth, and a tub or similar container. You can use cleaning vinegar if you want, but plain white vinegar will also work. Most vent covers can be cleaned this way, but there is an exception. Wooden vent covers should be cleaned with a soft, damp cloth and kept as dry as possible, since wood can absorb liquids. Vent covers made from metal or plastic, however, are great candidates for this cleaning method.

Turn off the system first, then remove the cover. Leave the system off while you clean, as the cover directs the airflow and helps protect your system from anything that might fall into it. You don't want something getting dropped into the ducts while they're working! Give the cover a light dusting first using a duster, microfiber cloth, or a soft brush. Next, prepare your water. Add some of your favorite soap and vinegar to warm water. ½ cup of vinegar for every 2 cups of water is a good ratio to aim for, but it doesn't need to be exact. Mix them, then let your vent cover soak for a few minutes.

Use a microfiber cloth or brush to gently scrub the cover, loosening any grit that's really stuck on. Now that your vent cover is clean, you can dry it thoroughly and reattach it. If your home vents have air filters, it's a good idea to replace them before you reattach the cover. It's important to note that this is only for cleaning the vent covers themselves. If you think the rest of your system, such as the ducts themselves, needs to be cleaned, it's usually best to hire a professional to do it.