A Bathroom Staple Is The Secret To A Dust-Free Air Vent Cover

If you've neglected cleaning your air vent covers, now is the perfect time to do so. Even though they're attached to the ceiling, dust can still collect inside and around them, and when the covers are filled with too many dust bunnies, these can travel throughout your house when the vents are turned on.

Air vent covers can get sticky and grimy the longer dust stays on their surface, but using shaving cream can help wipe away grime better than many spray products. This is mainly because it expands and thus gets between the slats more easily. To properly clean your vent covers, you only need a bottle of shaving cream, a toothbrush, and a couple of microfiber towels.

Start by removing your vent cover from the ceiling. Then, grab your shaving cream, spray a little bit on the toothbrush or microfiber towel, and scrub the air vent. Make sure you reach between the slats to eliminate hidden grime. Next, take a new microfiber towel and wipe down the air vent. If you still notice dust and dirt, reapply more shaving cream and scrub until you're satisfied with the results. Finally, return the cover to the ceiling.

The best part about cleaning your air vents with shaving cream is its affordability, as it's likely available at your local dollar store. A little goes a long way, so you won't have to waste the product when cleaning your air vents or other areas in your home.

Monthly air vent maintenance will prevent too much dust buildup and save you money in the long run. Once you deep-clean the vent, dust the cover every month or so to minimize grime and debris. This will improve your indoor air quality and will save future you some elbow grease. Additionally, if you perform regular maintenance and deep-clean your air ducts every three to five years, they'll stay in good condition, meaning you likely won't have to call a professional for blocked vents (barring unrelated internal issues, of course).

Shaving cream is a great way to keep up this regular maintenance. Similar to traditional cleaning products, shaving cream contains active ingredients like surfactants and emulsifiers that help remove sticky residue and debris. For instance, shaving cream contains stearic acid, which is a cleaning agent, and benzyl alcohol, which is antibacterial — two properties a cleaning product needs to eliminate tough grime. In addition, you can also use shaving cream to clean your bathroom, kitchen cabinets, carpets, and mirrors.