Homeowners often like using flexible air ducts since they can easily be installed in small spaces; they are ideal for air distribution in both residential and commercial structures. Even though flexible air ducts may be convenient to install, they are more susceptible to the collection of dust and dirt, and other debris. The buildup results in poor standard air quality, high power consumption costs, as well as health risks. So, to keep yourself and your indoors free from dust, bacteria, germs, viruses, etc., it is essential to clean your flexible air ducts periodically.

In this guide, you will learn how flexible air ducts can be cleaned.

Are Flexible Air Ducts Washable?

Flexible air ducts can in fact be cleaned, but unlike cleaning the floor or a sofa, it is not that easy. Cleaning techniques used for flexible air ducts are different from normal cleaning. Among ways to clean them are with power vacuums, air whips, and rotary brushes. There are tools created especially for the cleaning of the flexible air ducts that can get to the places where dust, dirt, and many other contaminants collect.

The Advantages of Cleaning Flexible Air Ducts

There are several reasons to clean your flexible air ducts regularly:

1. Improved Air Quality: Flexible air ducts can easily accumulate dust mites, mold, bacteria, and other causes of bad indoor air quality. To eliminate these contaminants and increase the quality of air in rooms of your home or office, have the ducts cleaned.

2. Reduced Energy Bills: A clean flexible air duct means that air flows freely to meet the required standard. If your ducts are full of dirt, your system will have to work harder to circulate air throughout the house and you will pay more on your energy bills.

3. Prolonged Duct Life: Frequent cleaning of flexible air ducts is important in order to avoid the build-up of regular dirt and grease that puts more stress on the flexible material.

4. Health Benefits: Different types of indoor pollutants are known to cause several illnesses, such as respiratory diseases, allergies, and even asthma. Thus, you should have your ducts cleaned routinely to reduce your contact with these contaminants and improve your health.

Cleaning Flexible Air Ducts the Easy Way

To clean your flexible air ducts, follow these steps:

1. Gather the Right Equipment: For your flexible air ducts to be cleaned, you’ll need a vacuum, air whip, and rotary brush to effectively remove the dirt. Special tools may need to be bought for this application as the tools used in the house are comparatively weaker.

2. Prepare the Workspace: It is advisable to clear the surrounding area of your flexible air duct in order to facilitate cleaning. Shut off the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system, to keep off the dust.

3. Inspect the Ducts: While physically examining your flexible air ducts, ensure you check for any tears, punctures, or any other likelihood that could hinder the cleaning process. Look to see what is most congested with debris.

4. Insert the Rotary Brush and Air Whip: Extend the rotary brush and air whip in the flexible air duct to reach the end. The debris is swept into a vacuum hole by the rotary brush, and any particles sticking to the air whip are removed.

5. Vacuum the Ducts: With the help of this specialized vacuum cleaner, debris from the ducts is removed. The vacuum must be powerful enough to suck out the particles from the walls of the ducts and not blow them back over the system.

6. Remove the Rotary Brush and Air Whip: After that, you should finish cleaning by using the rotary brush and the air whip to sweep out the ducts where the vacuum did not easily reach. Look at the flexible air duct to see if you can spot other residue or debris that were not wiped clean from within; after that, use a soft brush to scrape any remaining debris from the flexible air duct.

7. Inspect the Ducts Again: Visually check to see if your flexible ducts are free of dirt or other contamination. It is important to not overlook this step to ensure your ducts are cleaned thoroughly.

8. Clean the Vent Covers: Clean the vent covers as well as the other ducts. You can then wipe any dust or dirt that may have settled on them with a damp cloth, and you’re good to go.

When to Hire a Professional

If the homeowner cannot achieve the above steps completely and effectively, he or she may have to seek the assistance of a professional air duct cleaning services provider.

If you have:

– Significant amounts of ductwork, which can be very concealed or hard to get at

– Presence of heavy dust, mold, or a bad smell

– Infrequent cleaning history

– Allergy or asthma, and want to reduce inhalation of indoor generated air pollutants

It may be in this case where professional cleaning skills can efficiently speed up and carry out better cleaning jobs.