Reasons

• As air flows through air ducts, dust and debris collect there. Some of this dust is caught on the vent grates that appear where air ducts enter rooms. Other dust collects in a furnace or air conditioner filter. The rest lines the inside of your ducts, cutting down on the amount of air that can circulate and trapping particles that can promote mold growth or serve as nesting sites for insects. Unlike carpets, wood floors don't trap dust, allowing it to enter your ducts in greater quantity.
  
  

Tools and Techniques

• To clean air ducts, the simplest solution is to remove grates in each room and use a damp rag to wipe out the inside of the duct. However, this method will eliminate only large buildups of dust directly at the vent opening. Professional duct-cleaning services employ high-pressure vacuums, which suck dust out of the ducts from a central location.
  
  Cleaning wood floors requires a damp mop with an ammonia-free cleaner. This method will prevent the floor from swelling while also removing dust from the surface. Placing mats at entryways will prevent people from tracking dust and debris into the home that can collect on the floors and eventually enter your ducts.
  
  

Process

• Regardless of the tools you use to clean your air ducts and wood floors, the order in which you clean is important. Cleaning your floors before you clean your ducts will leave them vulnerable to collecting a new layer of dust as soon as you remove duct grates. Wait until your duct system has been vacuumed before performing a thorough mopping. Sweeping wood floors can cause dust to reenter the air ducts, which makes light mopping the better option.
  
  

Benefits

• Cleaning air ducts and wood floors can be a time-consuming, labor-intensive process, especially in a larger home. However, there are several benefits. Clean floors brighten a home's look and make it appear neater and more sanitary. Clean air ducts may be invisible to guests and residents, but they will expel clean air that doesn't trigger allergies or irritate respiratory conditions. Clean air ducts also remove places for insects to nest, reducing the likelihood of infestation. Finally, clean ducts and floors will increase the efficiency of your heating system by promoting airflow.