How to Clean a Window Unit Air Conditioner
- 1). Be sure your window unit air conditioner is disconnected from any power sources before attempting to clean it. If your window unit is wired into the home instead of having a power cord, put the master circuit breaker for the entire house in the off position or pull it out if you have the old fashioned fuses.The capacitor in your window unit can store electricity even when the unit is not plugged into the wall. Follow manufacturer's directions to be sure that the capacitor has been discharged to avoid electrical shock hazard before you begin cleaning the inside of your window unit..
- 2). Wipe down the outside cover of the air conditioner with a damp cloth to remove any loose dust and debris. Remove front cover from air conditioner. Some covers pull off easily. Others are held in place with plastic clamps or screws and must be disassembled. Place screws or other hardware somewhere out of reach of pets and small children.
- 3). Fill kitchen sink, basin or bathtub one third full with hot, soapy water. Dip filter into sink, basin or bathtub and swirl vigorously to remove all dirt and debris. If necessary, use a soft brush to remove any stubborn trapped dirt. Use an old toothbrush to loosen dirt from corners and hard to reach places. Rinse with hand held spray nozzle. Shake filter to remove as much water as possible, and stand upright to dry. Do not put a wet filter back into your window unit, as the moisture will cause dust and debris to build up faster, providing a medium for mold growth.
- 4). Wear rubber or plastic gloves when using bleach or other harsh cleaners. Using an old toothbrush, dip into bleach solution, disinfectant or fungicide and shake lightly so that you are using as little water as possible. Slowly and carefully brush away dust and debris from the coils and any reachable surfaces of the inside of the air conditioner. Rinse toothbrush often. Repeat with cotton swabs dipped in bleach, disinfectant or fungicide solution. Change rinse water frequently as it gets dirty. Continue with toothbrush and cotton swabs until you are satisfied that you have removed as much dirt and debris as you can reach. Dry all reachable surfaces with scrunched up paper towels.
- 5). Once filter is dry, put it back into place and clip the face plate back onto your window unit. Be sure to replace all screws and hardware removed earlier. Turn your window unit on and observe if any loose debris blows out of it. Turn unit back off and wipe away any blown debris, then turn unit back on. Clean up your mess and discard everything in a waste basket. Be sure to wipe up any dripped water or cleaning fluid. Wash your hands!
