Your vent covers are dirty! This video tutorial shows you how to clean your air duct vents

There’s cleaning, then there’s deep cleaning.

Many of us vacuum the floor and wipe down our counters regularly. But dust may continue to collect on the ceiling fan , grime (and sometimes even dead bugs!) builds up in your light fixtures and the airflow in your home may be coming through a dirty vent cover.

Deeper messes like these are easy to miss and they can take more time and effort to clean. However, there is an upside: once they’re cleaned, you don’t have to clean them again for a while! (If this has inspired you to make a ‘To Deep Clean’ list, don’t forget to include your stove vent !)

Watch this video to see how easy it is to clean your air vent covers.

How to clean air vent covers

All you need is a screwdriver to remove the vent. Make sure to turn off the heating or air system before removing the cover.

Use old towels as a buffer between your vent and your sink to prevent any scratches. The vent's grates can be sharp, so mind your hands and fingers in the process.

You don't need any special cleaning solutions for the vent covers. All you need is water, dish soap and some elbow grease. Most of the dust and dirt should come off pretty easily, but some of the smaller crevices may require help from a brush. Avoid submerging the vent cover in water to preserve the paint and prevent it from rusting.

If your vent cover is wooden, wipe it with a damp cloth.

Let the vent cover dry completely before reinstalling it and turning your system back on.

While the cover is drying, take that opportunity to inspect your duct work and give the area a good dusting or vacuuming.

Air duct cleaning

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends only cleaning your air ducts when necessary, not routinely. According to the EPA, your ducts need to be cleaned if:

• There is visible mold growth.
• They’re infected with rodents or insects.
• They’re clogged.

However, the air filter in your home’s HVAC system should be changed every 60-90 days . If you notice your filter is especially dirty when you go to replace it, consider adjusting the schedule and changing it more frequently.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Your vent covers are dirty! This video tutorial shows you how to clean your air duct vents