How To Clean The Inside Of A Window Airconditioner

Let'due south exist honest.

Window Air Conditioners aren't fun to set.

They're large, bulky, and need to be sat on a pretty thin window frame. Removing them isn't exactly an attractive suggestion.

All of that said – they exercise demand cleaned! A dingy air conditioner is only going to cause you issues. Dust issues, air quality problems, energy bill bug… you lot'll accept 99 problems and that window ac will be most of them.

And then can nosotros make clean a window air conditioner without the hassle of removing them? Yous bet. In short:

How To Make clean A Mounted Window Air Conditioner:

Turn information technology off. Disconnect entirely from the wall.
Remove the filter.Soak in warm soapy water.
Remove the example. Wipe downward with warm soapy water. This includes whatever detachable framing.
Vacuum and wipe downward. Any major areas that need some serious attention.
Spray with warm soapy water.All over the interior – particularly the fins. (H2o is OK, merely don't use force).
Softly brush/rummage down the fins. Remove as much dirt/grime as possible. Don't push on them, though!
Exit everything to dry out, then reassemble.Use your user manual if you get stuck.

At to the lowest degree, that'due south the short version!

If you're not in a rush, there's enough of more particular that'due south worth taking note of. Read on for the full guide.

Benefits of a Clean Window Air Conditioner

Before doing whatsoever kind of chore or 'developed' task, it's worth remembering why we're putting the effort in.

Like every major appliances, air conditioners degrade over time. They become dirty, their filters clog up, and their generally efficiency drops as a result. But don't worry. It's totally natural.

All your window air conditioner needs is a picayune fleck of love and care to really shine. Just like united states humans!

Having a make clean air conditioner isn't just satisfying. It also means that:

You'll have cleaner air. With less irritants for allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues.
Your air will smell fresher.Suddenly removing the faint musk of air conditioner mold and dust will get out your air feeling fresher and cleaner.
Information technology'll run quieter.A muddied machine needs to work harder to requite the same issue. Past reducing it'south workload, your air conditioner volition exist much more efficient. Significant the ac should run quieter.
Y'all'll utilise less energy.Every bit above, with a more than efficient Air conditioning comes lower energy bills.
It'll concluding for longer. With less stress on the machine, y'all'll benefit from a longer, healthier air conditioner lifespan.

Gear up to begin? Then let's go started!

Setting Up

Here's a quick list of things you should set. Just like with cooking a meal, it's easier to accept everything in one place rather than running around as yous work!

A bucket or nearby sink filled with warm soapy h2o
A vacuum with a soft brush zipper
An bodily soft brush or comb
A spray bottle with warm h2o + 2 drops of detergent or bleach
Cloths or a small belfry y'all can get dingy
Newspaper to lay down under the Air-conditioning and where you'll be working
A screwdriver
A small tray to place screws/pocket-size parts in
Your user manual (Lost it? Merely Google your model + 'transmission pdf')
Protective gloves (for bleach and sharp fins)
Optional: A Fin Comb
Optional: Can of compressed air

Air Conditioner Before Cleaning

Try to detach any you can – including the frame fins.

Cleaning Your Window Air Conditioner

Let's go started with a total deep clean. Since you've taken the time to expect this upwards on the net, I imagine that AC is pretty dirty! Nosotros'll cover monthly check-ups later.

So, is information technology possible to clean a window air conditioner without removing it? Yep, information technology's possible. Information technology won't be quite as good (or straightforward) equally dismantling it completely. But it's more than possible – and can still give yous a huge heave in operation and air quality.

Footstep by step. Permit'southward do this together.

Disconnect Totally. Take the plug out of the wall. Done? Woohoo! Step i complete. Bully going.
Remove the Filter. This should come out easily. If it's washable, great – get it soaking in a bowl of warm soapy h2o. If it's disposable? Get your replacement gear up.
Remove the Case.Have out the screws and place them somewhere piece of cake to remember. Take off the front grille at to the lowest degree – as well equally any other components that you can remove. Particularly the back grille, whatever removable condensation drain, and whatever parts of the framing you tin easily get off. Again, soak all of these in warm soapy water and get out to sit down.
Vacuum & Wipe.Take your vacuum and become any obvious balls of grit and dingy out of there. Take a slightly damp cloth and practise an initial wipe over whatsoever obvious areas (i.e. early on mold patches).
Spray.Using the spray canteen (+ 2 drops of detergent), spray over every interior surface you'll be able to wipe down. Especially the fins. Don't worry – air conditioners are made to handle water. They're also dehumidifiers, subsequently all.
Wipe Exteriors. While the interior soaks in spray, we can now wipe downwards the exterior. Take each part and give information technology a good going over with a towel or a fabric. In one case clean, leave out to dry out.
Brush Down. Dorsum to the interior. Take the soft brush and gently brush downwardly the cooling fins and coils. Try your best not to push these to either side. Only become upwardly and down. Utilize a fin rummage if you have one (don't worry if y'all don't). You lot tin can also utilize a can of compressed air to get at any nooks and crannies.
Wipe Interiors.Lastly, give the soaked interiors a good wipe downwards with a wet cloth. Pretty much whatever surface you tin go your hands on – particularly the fins and fan blades. Become as much every bit you can out of there – then leave everything to dry.
Reassemble.Put each piece back together in the order you took it off. Not certain? Don't worry – consult the user manual (or just requite it a shot!)
Written report Upwards.Last up – read our section on window air-conditioning best practices below to keep your air conditioner at it'south best!

And at that place we have it. x simple steps to clean success. Stride x is peculiarly important, of grade.

Monthly Check-Ups

For a monthly check up, information technology'southward super elementary. Once you've got a make clean window air conditioner, information technology only needs a bank check once a month or so. All you need to do is give the filter a clean, empty out the condensation tray, and have a quick inspection of the AC. If at all looks practiced from the outside, then great!

If you suspect you smell mold or spot annihilation out of the ordinary, just have the instance off and have a look. It'll merely take a minute. Follow upwards with whatever spot-cleaning that'southward necessary.

Hey, presto! All good.

Rather see this process in video format? Here's a bully one by Becky's Homestead. She does take this outside, simply you can still use the aforementioned process (perhaps just without the hose!)

Window Air Conditioner All-time Practices

Now that you've got a squeaky clean window air conditioner, let's brand sure it stays at it's all-time.

Follow these quick tips to make sure you go the about out of your unit of measurement.

Go along the filter clean! Monthly cleaning should be fine for this, simply do more as necessary if it's a tough ol' flavor for your unit. If you lot're shopping for a new i, continue your eye out for HEPA-certified filters. They're much better for anyone with allergies (and any lovers of make clean air).
Keep the fins directly.During and after whatever deep cleans, keep the cooling fins as directly as possible. These are used to absurd the air, and should exist running direct up and down.
Keep information technology on!The more you lot utilize the window air conditioner, the less chance of mold build upward at that place is. (No, I don't work for the energy company!) Basically, moisture breeds mold – peculiarly dried moisture. If the AC is sitting on the window on a damp day, that'southward when mold will start to creep up. Try to have the Ac shut away if you're not going to exist using it.
Keep it in the shade.An air conditioner will exist suffering if left in the sun. Where possible, endeavor to mount it on a window that gets the most shade.
If in doubt, consider a service.If your Air conditioning hasn't been performing and you can't notice out why, consider hiring a professional person. I quick dismantle, clean, and reassemble might exist all you need to get the Air-conditioning feeling brand new over again.
Store it well.When non in use, keep the AC in a absurd , dry space. If it's over-exposed to the elements, you lot're looking at accelerated onset of rust and other bug.

Window AC Cleaning FAQ's

Is A Muddy Window Air Conditioner Bad?

Yes! A dirty window air conditioner can hurt y'all in a lot of ways. It tin can lower the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner, and increment the wear and tear on it. The clay and mold volition atomic number 82 to the foul smelling air, and the spreading of dust/dander tin aggravate your allergies.

Can I Spray Water on my Air Conditioner?

Yes! Air conditioners are sturdy appliances, and they also deal with moisture in the air. This doesn't mean soak the unit – merely spraying to wipe down is absolutely fine and even encouraged. See our cleaning notes for more particular.

How Often Should I Clean A Window Air Conditioner?

The most of import fourth dimension to make clean a window air conditioner is when you lot take it out of the closet for summer. That's when the grit, grime, and mold might accept built up. In one case it's had a spring clean, a quick check-up every month or two (depending on how much you're using information technology) is more than than enough.

Conclusion

Window air conditioners tin be a gamechanger for the summer.

But no-one wants evil-smelling, dusty air. Nor a hot, overworked air conditioner.

I hope this quick guide has helped give you lot guidance on keeping that baby make clean, happy, and running well.

If we've helped you out, please consider checking out some of our other manufactures! The best mode to back up or thank united states of america is by spending more than fourth dimension on the website.

Thank you so much for reading, and I promise you accept a not bad 24-hour interval.

Best wishes,

-Craig