A Swiffer Is The Perfect Tool For This Hard To Clean Household Feature

When you dust your house, it's common to tackle the most frequently used surfaces first. This includes countertops, furniture, and anything else in your line of sight. But what about your HVAC vents? They often go unnoticed, but since they're a main component of your home's heating and cooling system, you should pay them the attention they deserve. One of the best ways to clean these vents is with a Swiffer duster, removing dirt, dust, and debris before these substances clog your HVAC system. And since a complete HVAC overhaul can cost upwards of $16,000, it's best to invest in some inexpensive cleaning products to prevent this expensive appliance from malfunctioning. 

Amazon sells a 30-pack of Swiffer duster refills for $23.99 at the time of writing, which means you'll have weeks of HVAC vent cleaning products at your disposal. Not only do these pads grab dirt and dust from your HVAC vent's nooks and crannies, but they trap this dust into place, preventing you from spreading it around your home. The caveat is to turn your HVAC system off before carrying out this hack, for fear of inadvertently pushing more dust into your air vents and damaging the system. This is especially true with your return vent, which is usually located in the middle of your home and is larger than your regular supply vents. 

For clean air, this vent cover hack is as simple as turning off your HVAC system and removing its vents. You might need a screwdriver for this, so have one handy. Once you've done this, use your Swiffer duster to remove all dust and debris from your vents. If you find that some caked-on gunk refuses to come loose, you can wash your air vents with warm water, mild dish soap, and a brush. Just be careful not to scrub too hard if your vents are painted. Once your vents are clean, use this Swiffer hack to dust them frequently, working to prevent a thick layer of dust from forming again. It's important to note that air vents need to be cleaned more often in the summer, when air conditioners are used the most frequently.

If you're tempted to skip this essential cleaning hack, keep in mind that your home's indoor air quality matters. For example, the United States Environmental Protection Agency reports that indoor air can be over 100 times more polluted than outdoor air. But keeping your vents clean is one way of reducing dust, something that's extremely important if someone in your home experiences allergies. And since dust can clog your air filters, this trick is a game changer for anyone looking to clean their home from top to bottom. When coupled with other minimal cleaning hacks to keep your home tidy, this is one genius Swiffer hack that will leave you with a spotless space without expending too much energy.