Today: Everything you need to know about cleaning your air ducts. Plus …
A word of advice from our home-improvement expert: The first thing you should do if you think your ducts need cleaning is to check them yourself. Pop off the vent cover, and carefully stick your phone in a few inches to snap a photo of the inside. If all you see is a thin layer of dust, you probably don’t need to get your ducts deep-cleaned — it won’t make much difference in improving your home’s air quality or energy efficiency. You’re better off spending your money on quality air filters. On the other hand, if you notice mold, airborne dust, vermin infestations, funky odors, or if you suspect damage from a fire or flood, it’s worth calling in the professionals to clean. Every expert we spoke to said to get a great air filter. These are the best→ We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›
Home-improvement expert Liam McCabe never has to guess where leaks are coming from or if mold is hiding in his walls. He has a borescope. A borescope is a tiny camera that’s attached to a long, flexible wand. It plugs into your phone and lets you see into tight, dark, recessed spaces — including your air ducts, yes, but also down sink drains, exhaust hoses, and more. This cheap camera can help solve many home mysteries→
Bedding expert Jackie Reeve — who has tested hundreds of blankets, comforters, duvet covers, and sheets — swears by these fabric storage bags. They’re perfect for zipping up bulky pillows or off-season bedding, and they fold up when empty, so you can hide them away. We found them on sale right now→
Many homeowners make it an annual practice to hose off the condenser coils of their heat pump or central air conditioning system, clearing them of all the debris that has accumulated over the year. But according to our expert, it doesn’t make that big of a difference. Here’s what you actually need to do. And when to call in the pros→
Happy cleaning. You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you.
|
