What products are used for cleaning air ducts

May 12th, 2022

During the long months that our winter lasts, your house and therefore you, live more or less under mechanical respiration. The air you breathe is introduced, distributed or evacuated by a network of ducts: whether it is air exchangers, heat recovery ventilators (HRV), forced air heating systems, bathroom fans bath, range hoods or clothes dryers… Are all these ducts and the air they carry clean? If not, what product should be used for duct cleaning? The following article will educate you on the subject so that you can breathe the healthiest air possible.

Cleaning forced air heating systems

When it comes to forced-air heating systems, it is especially in the return or return ducts that dust and debris accumulate the most. To clean them, simply insert the hose of your vacuum cleaner fitted with a small brush. Usually, a dusting of this kind as part of a major spring cleaning of the house is more than enough. If you have pets shedding or you’ve done renovation or construction work that generates a lot of dust, professional cleaning may be needed. If a professional cleaning company offers to spray biocides in the ducts, refuse. In Canada, no product intended for this use is currently approved. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation also says that this kind of practice is not necessary for effective duct cleaning. Some natural purifiers can be used by professionals which are often essential oil based.

Cleaning of ventilation ducts, air extractors and dryer vents

As for the ducts of air exchangers and HRVs, they can be either rigid or flexible, but in both cases, they cannot be cleaned with an ordinary vacuum cleaner. You will need to seek professionals who are equipped with specialized equipment. Indeed, this type of duct often forms a complex path within the wall or in the floor, which makes domestic vacuum cleaners ineffective for the task. The ducts of bathroom fans and range hoods do not require such systematic cleaning. However, do not neglect to check their exterior valve from time to time to check their condition. Thus, when the fan is on and the damper does not open or opens very little, it is then possible that the duct is blocked, the dryer exhaust duct, for its part, must be regularly disconnected. You must then use your hands or the vacuum cleaner to free it from the lint that has accumulated there. This will increase the efficiency of your dryer while minimizing the risk of fire.

Don’t forget to change the filters

To ensure optimal performance of ventilation or heating devices, remember to change the filters (if they are disposable) or clean them in the case of reusable filters. Refer to each appliance’s instruction manual to learn the ideal frequency for cleaning or replacing these parts.

So, when it comes to duct cleaning, it’s all about vacuuming dust and very few other products are needed to get the job done. Do not hesitate to contact professionals to ensure that you have clean, efficient ducts free of dust and other pathogens.