Safe Cleaning
Methods For:

Carpet, Rugs
and Upholsetry

Floors

Food Items

Heating and
Air Conditioning

Linens and
Clothes

Other Hard
Surfaces

Toys

Removing Dust
Homepage

Safe Cleaning Methods For:
Heating and Air Conditioning System

Do not turn on your heating or air conditioning system until all of the ducts and filters have been cleaned. Using these systems before cleaning will cause the dust to become airborne, settling once again on floors and other surfaces, which may then be breathed in.

Check with your building owner or supervisor to be sure that the entire heating and air conditioning system, including ducts and filters, have been cleaned professionally.

CLEANING METHOD FOR DUCTS:

Duct cleaning should be completed by a professional.

CLEANING METHOD FOR FILTERS ONLY:

1. WEAR a dust mask and gloves.
2. REMOVE the old filter carefully; try not to disturb the dust.
3. REPLACE the filter if it is disposable, and try not to disturb the dust. Or CLEAN the filter, if it is designed to be reused, using water or a cleaner appropriate for the filter.
4. If you cleaned your filter: When dry, WIPE your filter with an electrostatic cloth, such as a Grab-It or a Swiffer.

Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, 170 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 Phone: 732-445-0200 For additional information contact webmaster@eohsi.rutgers.edu