Making Your House New Again- Cleaning Return Air Vents

We’ve lived in our home for over four years. Although our house is still relatively new, there are a few things that give it the appearance of an older home. Over the next couple weeks, I will be tackling some of these projects and writing posts on how to make your home feel new, in ten minutes or less.

Have you cleaned your return air vents lately? They have a nasty way of grabbing dirt and dust. After a few months, they start looking quite dingy.

I haven’t cleaned mine in about a year. (I know, I know, I am gross.) When I glanced at one vent this morning, I was shocked at how bad it had gotten.

The great news, they are SUPER easy to clean. It only takes about 2 minutes a vent, and it makes a big difference in how your home looks and feels.

Cleaning Your Frickin Return Air Vents

All you need to make your vents look fantastic is a scrub brush, cleaning detergent and a kitchen sink.

1. Remove the vent. Most vents are attached with two screws. To make this faster, involve your four year-old. It really helped me. OK, maybe don’t.

2. Place the vent in your kitchen sink. Spray the vent with a cleaning detergent. I use kid-safe, organic cleaning supplies, but 409 or something similar will work great.

3. Use a scrub brush and clean both sides of the vent. This only takes about 1 minute. It is really, really fast. I promise you will be amazed.

4. Rinse it off and dry.

5. Pat yourself on the back. Better yet- write a blog about it. Because, yes. You really are that cool now.

Tip- when replacing the vent, be sure to line up your screws with the holes, so you don’t make new holes (or bigger holes) in your drywall.

I was able to clean 3 return air vents in less then 10 minutes- including removing and replacing the vents.

Alright, it’s your turn. Go get ‘em!