How to Clean a Window Air Conditioner without Removing It?

When the summer months roll around, the steamy temperatures can make almost any space uncomfortable. Luckily, window air conditioners are often a cheap and easy solution for quick room cooling. But window air conditioners don’t always work at their peak performance. You may notice that once you install it, it works great, but then its performance seems to diminish as the summer goes on. This is often because your window air conditioner simply needs to be cleaned. But no one wants to take out their window AC once it’s been installed. If you’ve wondered how to clean a window air conditioner without removing it from the window, you’ve come to the right place! With this guide, removing the air conditioner from your window before cleaning it is now a thing of the past. Not only that, but we’ll also give you tips and tricks to keep your AC unit running at it’s best all season long.

Advantages of having a clean AC unit

A dirty air conditioner can bring about a lot of problems, which is why it can be so important to ensure that your air conditioner is as clean as possible. Some of the benefits of having a clean AC window unit can include:

• Cleaner air: A clean air conditioner actually keeps the air that you breathe cleaner, too. This can lessen problems with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory issues. When your air conditioner is dirty, the air itself is dirty, which can make you sick and be expensive in the long run.
• Cost savings: The cleaner your air conditioner is kept, the better and more efficient it works. Which means it will cost you less on your utility bills. In fact, one of the signs that your AC may need to be cleaned is a worse performance from your AC and a cost increase on your monthly utility bills.
• Longer appliance lifespan: AC units use filters in order to catch and collect particles such as allergens, dirt, and dust. Of course, this causes the filters to get clogged and dirty, which forces the machine to strain to work at its best. When an appliance strains, it causes it to not last as long, and can often lead to breakdowns that may need costly repairs. You can avoid all of this by just regularly cleaning the appliance.
• A cleaner home: When an AC unit is dirty, because it blows air into your space, it also blows any of that accumulated dirt into your home as well, making your home dirtier. It doesn’t matter how often you dust or vacuum, your home won’t get fully clean if you continue to ignore the dirty air conditioner in your window.

Tools that you will need

The good thing about a window air conditioner is that it doesn’t require a professional to clean it. In fact, it’s fairly simple and easy to do it yourself. It can be even easier, too, if you regularly clean it, even daily, instead of just cleaning it once a year. Whatever you decide, though, there are some tools you will need to have at hand in order to make the cleaning process simple and quick:

• A bucket or nearby sink filled with warm soapy water—tap water is fine! This is what you’ll be using to actually clean much of the unit.
• A vacuum with a brush attachment. This can especially help to remove any accumulated dust on the air conditioner vents and grills.
• A hand brush for those small spaces your vacuum tube may not be able to reach.
• A dry towel or cleaning cloths for scrubbing areas that are dirty or drying spots that have been cleaned.
• A spray bottle with warm water mixed with a cleaning solution like detergent or bleach. Hydrogen peroxide can work as well.
• Newspaper to put under the AC and where you’ll be working, or painter’s cloths. This will help keep your space clean and organized.
• A screwdriver for removing any screws.
• A small tray to place screws/small parts in. This way, you won’t lose any parts when you’re done cleaning and reassembling.
• Your air conditioner’s owner manual. If you don’t have it, you can try googling the model number. Most manuals are available for free online.
• Protective gloves if you’re using bleach. They can also help if any of your AC units has sharper fins or parts.
• Optional: Can of compressed air. Compressed air can really help remove hard to reach dust and grime, but don’t worry if you don’t have it at hand.

Step-by-step cleaning guide

If you’ve never cleaned your window AC unit, or if it’s been a year or more since you have, or since it was last installed, it’s important to do a deep clean. If you have recently cleaned it, you may only need a lighter cleaning, so feel free to skip these steps to the lighter instructions below. For deep cleaning of your AC, follow these steps:

Deep Cleaning

• Disconnect the unit. This step is simple, but absolutely cannot be skipped. Unplug your unit from your outlet.
• Remove the filter. Depending on your model, the filter can be in a variety of places. But it should come out easily. If it’s a reusable filter, clean it. If it’s disposable, throw it away and make sure you have a replacement.
• Remove the case. Take out the screws and store them in your tray. Take off the front grille and any other components you can easily remove, such as the back grille, condensation drain, and any parts of the framing. Soak all of these in warm soapy water.
• Vacuum & wipe. Take your vacuum and remove any dirt. Use a damp cloth and wipe any obviously dirty patches. Keep your eyes open for mold growth.
• Using the spray bottle filled with water mixed with your cleaner of choice, spray the interior surfaces you can reach to wipe down, such as the fins.
• Clean any exterior portions of the air conditioner by wiping it down and leaving it to dry.
• Take your soft brush and brush the cooling fins and coils. Make sure not to move these out of place. You can also use your can of compressed air here if you have it, to get at any nooks and crannies.
• Finally, remove all the soaking pieces and give them a final wipe down and let them dry.
• Once all the pieces are clean and dry, it’s time to reassemble. Put each piece back together in the order you took it off. If you get confused, consult your manual.

Your air conditioner is now clean and ready to use!

Daily Cleaning

Cleaning your AC unit daily will make your deep cleaning sessions go that much faster.

• Turn off the air conditioner
• Spray the intake area gently with a mix of water and hydrogen peroxide. Keep yourself safe from any and all cleaning chemicals!
• Allow the air conditioner to dry fully before turning it back on.

Monthly cleaning

Besides daily cleaning, regular monthly cleaning can also keep your AC unit working at it’s best.

• Turn off the unit
• Remove the front panel of your air conditioner.
• Dip the towel inside the detergent or soap solution, then clean the filter or run the filter through running water. You can also use hot water to clean the filters and front panel. In case the filter is caked with grime or dirt, consider using a vacuum hose to remove the dirt. If your filter is extremely dirty or damaged, it may be time to replace it.
• Allow the filter to dry before putting it back.
• Turn on the unit

A clean window AC unit will keep running for years to come.

Some useful tips

Now that you’ve cleaned your air conditioner unit, it’s important to follow some best practices to make sure it keeps working at its best and also to ensure that your time wasn’t wasted. Some best tips include:

• Keep the filter clean! This is the best way to keep your unit from experiencing hard strain and for keeping your air quality clean.
• Keep the fins straight. During and after any deep cleans, try to keep the cooling fins as straight as you can. They cool the air, and they need to remain straight up and down.
• Run your AC. The more you use the window air conditioner, the less chance there is for mold to grow. Moisture is what causes mold growth, and if the AC is not being used regularly, this can potentially happen.
• Keep it in the shade. An air conditioner works best when it’s in the shade and can struggle if it’s dealing with a lot of sun (and heat) baking down on it. When possible, try to mount it on a window that gets the most shade.
• Store it well. When the summer season has passed, remove it from the window and keep it in a cool, dry space. This will keep it from being damaged or rusting and keep it in good working order for years to come.

Ending

Regular cleaning of your window AC unit will keep it working at its best and will help it provide you with cool air when you need it the most. It’s not difficult to clean your AC, but if it’s neglected, the unit will not work at peak performance, and its lifespan may be reduced.

You should perform a deep clean on your window air conditioner at least once a year. The best time to do this is in spring or early summer before you will start using it. A clean window air conditioner leads to cleaner indoor air, which is beneficial for your health. Now that you know how to clean a window air conditioner without removing it, remember to follow the steps to avoid damaging your unit or injuring yourself.

Disturbing Tales – Why (and How) to Clean Window AC Units

Well, here in the northeast summer has fully arrived. For those of you in the mid and southwest it feels as if the Earth is on fire. Now that it finally got warm enough to warrant it, I decided (with the gentle, sweet help of my wife) to put the window AC’s in. For the first time, I decided a clean window AC unit might be a wise move. What led to this change in procedure you might ask? It has to do with our new neighbors. What we saw will make you want to clean your window AC units right now!

Why Clean Window AC Units Should be in Your Future

When our old neighbors moved out, they left most of their stuff, including a window AC unit that stayed in year-round. It was a huge monster of a unit, but apparently worked wonders. Shortly after the neighbors moved in, they fired the window AC up, opting for nice cool evenings in the house instead of sweating to the oldies like we did. Shortly after they got the AC going, their allergies started to kick up and they felt, and I quote, “like a blanket was covering us.” Deciding to check the air conditioner, they pulled out the unit, removed the shroud, and found a thick layer of mold on everything. Who knows how long that stuff had been blowing on the old neighbors (but it might explain at least in part why the old neighbor had to walk around with an oxygen tank at the ripe old age of 62). It was gross and kind of freaked both the new neighbors (and us) out.

This led us to clean all our window AC units. We even found a little mold on the unit that generally sits in a North facing window. Besides cleaning out the units to check for mold, a good clean-out will improve the efficiency of the air conditioning unit. Blowing out or vacuuming out the fan, coil and grill will improve air flow which will result in better running units.

What You’ll Need To Clean Window AC Units

• Screwdriver or drill
• Brush
• Vacuum or air compressor with blowing nozzle
• Mold and mildew spray
• Paper towels
• A Suit from the movie Outbreak

1. First, after disconnecting power, remove the shroud of the AC. Depending on the model and size of the unit, this can be anywhere from 6 to 12 screws. (Be prepared if the ACs are older units the screws may be monsters to get out)
2. Remove the shroud and set it aside. Be careful of the wires that lead to the control panel. Working around them can be a bit tedious but can be catastrophic if you mess them up.
3. Check for any mildew or mold. A good rule of thumb here would be to wear a mask until you checked them.
4. If there is any mold, spray the spots down with mold/mildew spray that’s safe for AC unit use, and let it sit for a moment. Try to wipe up any spots that you can reach. If you can’t reach the spots directly, just spray the mold and let it sit so you can at least kill the mold.
5. Carefully brush out the fan, coils and fins to remove any dust and cobwebs.
6. Vacuum out any leaves, dead bugs or other objects that may be inside the case.
7. Make sure the drain is clear so that condensation will flow freely.
8. Put everything back together and kick back and cool off!

Remember, a clean window AC unit is a happy one!

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About Leroy

LeRoy was born into a long line of contractors/carpenters/missing links which maybe why he fell naturally into tools and fishing with his paws, errr, bare hands. He has since punctured, stabbed or electrocuted every appendage that can be discussed in mixed company. Given his natural fur vest, he has never been cold. In his parallel life he is a mild mannered environmental scientist where he builds, destroys and builds again. Which let’s face it is much cooler than Superman’s parallel life.

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How to Clean a Window Air Conditioner without Removing It?

A window AC unit is considerably easier to install than a central heating and air system or even a ceiling fan. Their self-contained nature makes them a popular option to quickly cool a room when summer rolls around, but unless you take it down during the offseason, they can get dirty fast. As removing a window air conditioner is never ideal, it’s good to know how to keep them clean.

While the outside is built to handle inclement weather, the inside and front of your system also needs to be kept clean. The goal of our guide is to show you how to clean a window air conditioner without removing it. It’s knowledge that will save you a lot of time when you need to maintain your system and will save you a considerable amount of money as well.

Window Air Conditioner Parts

While it’s tempting to break out a spray cleaner, rag, or bucket of sudsy water to clean your window AC unit, that could be a major mistake. Most of these units are cleaned in a similar fashion, but it’s a good idea to understand the parts on the inside and outside of your system beforehand. That said, you won’t have to clean all of these parts, and many are out of sight.

Every AC system that sits in a windowsill will have a filter, and it’s easy to find. It’s not always simple to clean but needs proper attention if you want to keep your unit running at peak efficiency. It lies behind the grill, which also needs to be cleaned on occasion, although a quick visual inspection lets you know when it’s time.

The front of the unit, including the control panel, is another area to pay attention to but will vary from one model to the next. The cabinet is going to take some abuse from the elements outdoors and could need seasonal TLC depending on the conditions where you reside. The only other visible parts that are simple to clean or access on most models are drain plugs and pans.

If you keep your unit clean, you may never encounter any interior parts, but the evaporator coil, fan motor, and blower can also become dirty. It’s typically a problem in the offseason, however, or when your machine has set for a long time without being used. Motors are one of the most expensive parts to replace as well, so it’s not a bad idea to properly store your window air conditioning system if it’s only used seasonally.

If your system is exceptionally dirty, it may not be possible to get it completely clean and up to par without removing it from your window. That said, if you keep the following areas tidy, it will help keep coils and other areas inside your system from becoming gummed up over time.

Cleaning the Filter

To get to the filter, you’ll need to unplug the machine and remove the grill or front panel on your window air conditioner. This shouldn’t require a manual, but do not force the grill if it doesn’t come off easily. On some models, the filter will slide out from the side, so again, don’t get rough with it as a broken grill is not something that’s simple to replace.

Once you have the grill off or have removed the filter, it may be time to check your owner’s manual if you need to pick up a replacement. That’s because there are at least a half-dozen types of window air conditioner filters, and they are nothing like the ones you’ll find in your HVAC system. Mesh filters are the most common, however, and relatively easy to clean.

A vacuum cleaner with a good attachment may be the quickest way to clean the filter in your window air conditioning system if it’s only dusty – not caked in grime. If you have a filthy filter that’s washable, LG, Haier, GE, and others recommend using warm water with a mild detergent. When satisfied, you’ll want to shake the water from the filter and allow it to air dry.

You should never try to dry your filter through excess heat or use “hot” water to clean it; only use warm H20. The filter should be completely dry before you install it back into the window AC unit, and you should never run your system without the filter. It’s recommended that you check in on your filter at least once every 30 days, to make sure it’s not clogged unless you have a unit with a filter reset light.

Cleaning the Grill and Louvers

Whether you had to let you filter dry out in the sun or simply needed to use a vacuum cleaner – now is the time to consider the grill and louvers. If your filter is dirty, there’s a strong chance area where it flows in and out of your system has also gathered a bit of dust and lint.

The dirt and dust may not be visible depending on the color and style of the machine, although a quick swipe with a white rag or damp paper towel will let you know how to proceed. While this can be the easiest area to clean, it can also be the most frustrating, and you won’t find many manuals with cleaning tips for this area.

The easiest way to clean the spaces in a removable grill is to take it outdoors and hose it off. Mild spray cleaners that are safe for plastic are ideal if there’s tough to remove dirt, but soaking it in a sink with detergent is an option as well. Again, you’ll want to let the grill fully dry before putting it back on the machine.

If your window air conditioning unit doesn’t have a removable grill, which is rare, you’ll want to get something soft to work in between the spaces the best you can. Q-tips and cotton balls can come in handy here, but so can a duster if it merely needs a light cleaning to remove dust and lint. Vacuum attachments are incredibly helpful for systems with slide-out filters and fixed grates as well.

Cleaning the Cabinet

Whenever we mention the cabinet on a window AC unit, we’re talking about the housing that keeps the internals safe from the weather. The internal part of the cabinet or trim parts can be cleaned with a damp rag or magic sponge, but you may need a bit more elbow grease if your system hangs in a window for years at a time or for more than one season.

As this is an outdoor job, the first thing you need to do is unplug the machine and then check the length of your water hose. Simply spraying down the exterior of your air conditioner weekly will keep it much cleaner than you think, and prevent gunk from building up throughout the year. For tougher to remove dirt or stains, you’ll need to pick up a scrub brush and can use a mild cleaner.

Cleaning the Condenser Coils

This is an area where 90% of the product manual recommend calling in a professional. Well, that’s not exactly cost-effective, especially if you own a budget-friendly or mid-range window air conditioning system. A service call may cost half as much as the system itself, which is why it’s a good idea to know how to clean the coils.

The condenser coils are located on the outside and covered by a set of fins. The fins in the front are harder to clean without making a mess indoors, but there are a variety of methods you can use to clean the coils on the back. The easiest way is to mix some water with dishwashing liquid into a spray bottle and soak the fins.

You can use a soft bristles nylon brush if they need to be scrubbed but should see an immediate improvement once they are lightly rinsed. Several homeowners have been able to get a similar effect with a water hose, but using a safe cleaner on the outside can work wonders on coils and other areas, as you’ll see in the video below.

Drains and Pans

Window AC units that have a drain on the back of a pan should be checked out and cleaned if necessary. Both can be areas where much can collect, but mold can also be an issue in drain pans. If your system has a hose connected to the drain port on the back, remove it. You can usually run a rag around the drain hole to remove any dirt, but it’s a good idea to check for blockages in the hole or the hose if you have one.

Window Air Conditioner Cleaning Tools

When your window air conditioner is just a little dusty, you can tidy it up with everyday things lying around your household. If you need to clean the backside of your unit, things get tricky, which is where specialized cleaning products come into play.

The best product to clean up coils and blades on this style of air conditioner is a foaming cleanser. There is no shortage of options to choose from, but Frost King’s ACF19 cleaner is a popular option. You can also mix your own, however, if you prefer a squirt bottle to aerosol spray.

A nylon brush can handle light-duty work on fins, but most household brushes aren’t designed for it. There are a few companies that sell thin metal whisks, but we prefer a traditional condenser fin cleaning brush as they aren’t fancy, but they are highly effective and reusable.

The only other tool that may be of use during maintenance would be a fin comb. Fins on the outside of your home can become damaged, and a set of fin combs can help you straighten them out. You can buy a single tool, but a set has brushes for different fins per inch, which covers a broader range of systems.