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How to clean air vents and returns (and when duct cleaning is worth it)
Updated 2026-11-04. Facts come from U.S. EPA, ENERGY STAR and NOAA sources (read on 2026-11-04); cleaning steps marked Wrenly suggestion are our own advice as a cleaning service. Prices come from our live price list. Disclosure: Wrenly Home sells house cleaning in the Peoria, IL area. We don't do HVAC or duct work.
Short answer: turn the heat off, vacuum each register and return grille with a brush attachment and wipe it with a damp cloth; if a cover is caked, unscrew it, wash it in soapy water and dry it before it goes back. Dusty return grilles are normal and don't mean the ducts are dirty[1]. Check the furnace filter once a month[4]. EPA doesn't recommend routine duct cleaning, only for substantial visible mold, rodents or insects, or ducts clogged with debris[1].
How to clean each kind of vent
Turn the system off at the thermostat before you start, work from the ceiling down so dust falls onto what you haven't cleaned yet, and vacuum before you wipe so you're not turning dust into mud. (Wrenly suggestion)
| Vent | How to clean it | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Return grilles (the big ones that pull air in) | Vacuum the grille with a brush attachment; if the fins are caked, unscrew it and wash it. EPA says it's normal for return registers to get dusty as air is pulled through, and that they can be vacuumed or removed and cleaned. Many homes keep the furnace filter right behind a return grille, so check it while the cover is off. | EPA[1] |
| Supply registers (the smaller floor or wall vents that blow air out) | Turn the heat off at the thermostat first so you aren't blowing dust around. Vacuum the louvers with a brush attachment, then wipe with a damp microfiber cloth. If you lift a floor register out, vacuum just inside the opening as far as the hose reaches, and keep small objects from falling in. | Wrenly suggestion |
| Washing a register or grille | Lift or unscrew it, soak it in warm water with a little dish soap, scrub the slots with a soft brush, rinse, and dry it completely before you put it back, so metal covers don't rust. Don't use an abrasive pad on painted covers. | Wrenly suggestion |
| Cleaning a cover without removing it | Vacuum with a brush attachment, then wrap a damp microfiber cloth around a butter knife or a flat duster to reach between the fins. A dry paintbrush loosens dust in the corners before the second vacuum pass. | Wrenly suggestion |
| Ceiling vents and diffusers | Use a vacuum extension wand or an extendable duster from a stable step stool, and wipe with a damp cloth. Don't stand on furniture to reach. | Wrenly suggestion |
| Bathroom exhaust fan cover | With the fan off (and the breaker off if you remove anything electrical), vacuum the grille; many covers pull down on spring clips and can be washed in soapy water and dried. | Wrenly suggestion |
| The furnace filter | Inspect, clean or change it once a month. A dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage the equipment. If you upgrade, EPA says choose at least MERV 13, or as high as your system fan and filter slot can take. | ENERGY STAR[4]; EPA[2][3] |
Vacuuming itself stirs dust up: EPA notes it can increase the dust in the air and in your ducts, and suggests a HEPA vacuum or the highest-efficiency bags your vacuum can take[1]. If you're sanding, painting or remodeling, EPA says to seal the supply and return registers and not run the system until the dust is cleaned up[1]. If you find mouse droppings or nesting at a register, don't vacuum it dry: follow CDC's soak-and-wipe steps, and CDC says to call a professional exterminator if mice have been in the ducts[6] (see how to clean mouse droppings safely).
The furnace filter
ENERGY STAR's do-it-yourself item for heating and cooling is to inspect, clean or change the air filter in your furnace, central air conditioner or heat pump once a month; a dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage the equipment, leading to early failure[4]. EPA adds that a forced-air system only filters while it runs, usually less than 25 percent of the time in heating and cooling season, and that all filters need regular replacement because a dirty, overloaded filter won't work well[2].
If you upgrade, EPA says to choose a filter rated at least MERV 13, or as high as your system fan and filter slot can accommodate, and that an HVAC technician can tell you the highest efficiency your system can take[3][2]. On EPA's MERV table, a MERV 13 filter captures at least 50 percent of particles from 0.3 to 1 micron and at least 85 percent from 1 to 3 microns[3]. Make sure the filter fits, with no gaps around the holder for air to bypass it[1].
Why winter is when it matters in Peoria
Heating degree days measure how much heating a climate needs. NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for the Peoria airport total 5,613.8 a year[5]:
| Month | Heating degree days |
|---|---|
| October | 334.7 |
| November | 693.7 |
| December | 1,058.5 |
| January | 1,221.0 |
| February | 978.4 |
| March | 733.7 |
| April | 375.5 |
By our arithmetic on those normals, November through March holds about 83 percent of the year's total, with January the peak[5]. That's when the furnace runs most and moves the most air through the filter and registers, so a monthly filter check and a vent vacuuming at the start of the season do the most good. (Wrenly suggestion)
Should you get the ducts cleaned?
EPA says knowledge about duct cleaning is limited, so it can't make a blanket recommendation, and it does not recommend cleaning ducts routinely, only as needed[1]. Duct cleaning has never been shown to prevent health problems, and studies don't conclusively show that dust levels in homes rise because of dirty ducts, because much of the dirt sticks to the duct surfaces and doesn't necessarily reach the living space; a light amount of household dust in ducts is normal[1]. EPA says to consider cleaning if:
- there is substantial visible mold inside hard-surface (sheet metal) ducts or on other parts of the heating and cooling system (ask the provider to show it to you; only an expert, sometimes with a lab test, can confirm it's mold, and wet or moldy duct insulation has to be replaced rather than cleaned)[1];
- the ducts are infested with vermin, such as rodents or insects[1];
- the ducts are clogged with dust and debris, or particles actually blow out of the supply registers[1].
Any of those usually has a cause, such as a leak, a missing or bypassed filter, or pests, and EPA says to fix the cause first or the problem will come back[1]. What EPA does recommend every year is having a fuel-burning furnace, stove or fireplace inspected and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning[1].
If you hire a duct cleaner
EPA says duct cleaning typically, but not always, costs $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services, the size and accessibility of the system, the climate region and the level of contamination[1]. EPA's consumer advice[1]:
- Get written estimates from at least three providers, and ask each to show you the contamination that justifies the work.
- Don't hire a duct cleaner who makes sweeping health claims or recommends duct cleaning as routine maintenance; be wary of anyone claiming EPA certification (EPA doesn't certify or approve duct cleaners).
- Don't allow chemical biocides or sealants unless you fully understand the pros and cons; EPA says research hasn't shown they work in duct cleaning, and no biocides are registered for internally insulated ducts.
- Expect the provider to clean the whole system, not just the ducts, to check for asbestos-containing materials first, to use HEPA vacuuming or vacuums that exhaust outside, and to protect your floors and furniture.
- Afterward, every part should be visibly clean; EPA publishes a post-cleaning checklist to go through with the provider.
What a Wrenly clean covers
Every deep clean dusts the vents and returns, ceiling fans and light fixtures and the bathroom exhaust fan cover, within reach of a two-step stool, and a move-out clean wipes the vents along with the light switches and outlet covers (see the deep cleaning checklist). We don't clean ducts, change furnace filters, open up HVAC equipment, or do mold or pest remediation. If something on the checklist is missed, tell us within 48 hours under our re-clean guarantee.
What it costs
Swipe the table sideways to see every price column →
| Home | Deep clean | Then every 2 weeks (optional) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bed (1 bath incl.) | $228 | $155 |
| 2 bed (2 baths incl.) | $272 | $189 |
| 3 bed (2 baths incl.) | $350 | $233 |
| 4 bed (3 baths incl.) | $441 | $306 |
| 5 bed (3 baths incl.) | $558 | $337 |
| Each extra bathroom | +$33 | +$20 |
Book online with your bedrooms, bathrooms and preferred day; we confirm the date by email within one business day.
Frequently asked questions
How do I clean the air vents in my house?
Turn the heat off, vacuum each register and return grille with a brush attachment, and wipe it with a damp microfiber cloth. If the fins are caked, unscrew the cover, wash it in warm soapy water, dry it completely and put it back. EPA says return registers normally get dusty and can be vacuumed or removed and cleaned; check the furnace filter while you're at it (ENERGY STAR says monthly).
How do I clean return air vents?
Vacuum the grille with a brush attachment, or unscrew it and wash it. EPA says dusty return registers are normal, because dust-laden air is pulled through the grate, and don't mean the ducts are heavily contaminated. If the furnace filter sits behind the return grille, inspect it and change it if it's dirty.
How do I clean vent covers without removing them?
Vacuum with a brush attachment, then wipe between the fins with a damp microfiber cloth wrapped around a flat tool such as a butter knife, and finish with a second vacuum pass. Turn the heat off first so the fan isn't blowing dust back out. (Wrenly suggestion)
Should I get my air ducts cleaned?
Usually not just for dust. EPA does not recommend routine duct cleaning, only as needed: when there is substantial visible mold inside hard-surface ducts or on other parts of the system, when the ducts are infested with rodents or insects, or when they are clogged with dust and debris or particles are actually blowing out of the supply registers. EPA says duct cleaning has never been shown to prevent health problems.
How often should you get your air ducts cleaned?
EPA doesn't give a schedule: it says duct cleaning is not a necessary part of yearly heating and cooling maintenance and should be done only as needed. What EPA does recommend before each heating season is having a fuel-burning furnace, stove or fireplace inspected and serviced to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.
How much does air duct cleaning cost?
EPA says duct cleaning services typically, but not always, cost $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services, the size and accessibility of the system, the climate region and how contaminated it is. EPA suggests getting written estimates from at least three providers and asking each to show you the contamination that justifies the work.
How often should I change my furnace filter in winter?
ENERGY STAR says to inspect, clean or change the filter in your furnace, central air conditioner or heat pump once a month. In Peoria, NOAA's normals put about 83 percent of the year's heating degree days in November through March, so that's when the filter works hardest.
Does Wrenly Home clean air vents?
We dust vents and return grilles within reach of a two-step stool in every deep clean, and a move-out clean wipes them. We don't clean ducts, change furnace filters, take apart HVAC equipment or do mold remediation.
Sources
- U.S. EPA, Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? (EPA 402-K-97-002; page last updated Feb. 19, 2026). https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/should-you-have-air-ducts-your-home-cleaned. Accessed 2026-11-04.
- U.S. EPA, Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home, 2nd edition: Portable Air Cleaners, Furnace and HVAC Filters. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/guide-air-cleaners-home. Accessed 2026-11-04.
- U.S. EPA, What is a MERV rating?. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-merv-rating-1. Accessed 2026-11-04.
- ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA/DOE), Heating and Cooling Maintenance Checklist. https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/heating-cooling/maintenance-checklist. Accessed 2026-11-04.
- NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, monthly and annual heating degree day normals for Peoria Greater Peoria Airport (station USW00014842). https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00014842&dataTypes=MLY-HTDD-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL&format=json. Accessed 2026-11-04.
- CDC, Healthy Pets, Healthy People: How to Clean Up After Rodents (Apr 8, 2024). https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/rodent-control/clean-up.html. Accessed 2026-11-04.
General home-care information drawn from the sources above, not HVAC, mold-remediation or contractor advice. If anything here is out of date, email [email protected] and we'll correct it.