How to Clean Ducts With a Power Vac

Cleaning out your furnace and air conditioning ducts on a regular basis will keep down the dust level in your house and help your ventilation system work more efficiently. It just takes a few minutes and can be done with cleaning items already found around your house. It's best to use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment, but a hand-held miniature vacuum also will work provided it's small enough to get into the ducts.

Screwdriver
Vacuum cleaner with hose attachment, or miniature hand-held vacuum
Bucket of warm water
Sponge
New furnace filter

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off your furnace and central air.
- 2
  Starting at the highest vent in the house, take off the vent grate by removing the screws holding it in place. Set it aside.
- 3
  Turn on your vacuum. Reach down as far as possible into the duct with the hose or hand-held unit, vacuuming all dust and dirt.
- 4
  Dampen your sponge in a bucket of warm water, and wipe out the inside of the duct, as far as you can reach. Rinse the sponge, then use it to wipe down the vent grate. Put the grate back in place, and screw it in.
- 5
  Repeat the process for each vent in the house. Change the furnace filter, then turn the furnace back on.

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