Air Vent Cleaning DIY

As winter approaches and the weather gets colder, we’re starting to drive with our windows closed more often. That means that we’re using our air vents more often as well, which in turn means that if there’s a stink, you’re gonna smell it. Here’s our tips for making sure your air vents are clean and stink-free so you can smell the freshness all winter long!

First of all, vacuum out the vents with the hose part of your vacuum. This will get dust and debris out of there, which will also decrease the allergens floating around your car. This means less sneezing while driving, yay! Don’t forget to do ALL the vents, especially the one up front next to your windshield. We tend to forget this one.

After vacuuming, use a cloth dampened with water or an all-purpose cleaning solution to clean the vents out. You can also use a Q-tip or cotton bud dampened with the same solution to really get in there and clean out all the cracks and crevices. Be prepared to go through a lot of these.

Run your air system on high with all the windows down (and the A/C off!) for a few minutes to dry everything out, both in your vents and in the A/C evaporator tank. You should also take a look at your cabin air filter. Your owner’s manual and dealer will know how to do this, and if it’s dirty and needs replacement, it’s an easy and inexpensive thing to do.

Finally, and this is only for that little bit of extra pizazz, find your favorite scent of air freshener, stick it somewhere (I prefer the ones that clip onto your vents) and there you go! A fresh-smelling, clean-vented car!