How to Clean a Heating Vent

Clean your heating vents regularly to avoid an excessive buildup of dirt and dust.

Clogged or dirty heating vents are not only a blemish in an otherwise pristine household they can negatively affect air quality and heating efficiency. This is because the clogged/dirty vent will help trap dust and other types of debris within the heater's ductwork, thus inhibiting the flow of warm air throughout the home. The air that does manage to flow through the dirty vents may contain particulates that compromise air quality. Fortunately, cleaning your heating vents, also known as registers, is a task accomplished with a bit of effort and a little time.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Vacuum cleaner with brush and hose attachments
• Liquid dish soap
• Sponge or soft scrub brush

Instructions

1. Vacuum the heating vents in order to remove any loose dirt or dust. Use the soft brush attachment for your vacuum to suck up the debris between the slits on the vent. By vacuuming first, you can help prevent spreading dirt on your carpet or flooring when removing the vents.

2. Disconnect the heating vents from the wall. Use either a Phillips or flathead screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the vent in place. The types of screws may vary depending on the specific ventilation system in your house. After the you remove the screws, you should be able to slide the vent off of the wall.

3. Move all disconnected heating vents to the kitchen sink. Run warm water into the sink, mixing in a squirt or two of liquid dish soap. Then wash the heating vents individually in the soapy water. Be sure to scrub all surfaces of the vent thoroughly with a sponge or soft scrub brush.

4. Allow the heating vents to air dry in a dish rack or spread out on an old towel. While the vents are drying, take your vacuum to the openings in the heating duct where the vents were attached. Vacuum the inside of the ductwork. In order to reach into the duct, you'll need to use an attachment that extends the vacuum hose and a small vacuum brush.

5. Reattach the clean heating vents to the wall. Tighten the screws so that the vents are secure.

Tips & Warnings

• In order to maintain clean heating vents, you should avoid blocking them with furniture or drapes. Blocking the vents will not only decrease heating efficiency, it will also lead to a greater build up of dust. Vents that are out in the open are also easier to clean regularly with a vacuum.

References

• National Air Duct Cleaners Association: Residential Consumer FAQS
• Homefurnish.com: Heat Register Cleaning and Maintenance