Air Conditioner Cleaning Guide

By Perth Home Cleaners
Posted in House Cleaning
On January 16, 2025

Are you worried about your air conditioner not working properly? Some simple cleaning might just do the trick.

The filters of an air conditioner can get clogged due to the accumulation of dirt, and debris. This greatly reduces their efficiency and may even make the output air harmful to breathe – especially for the elderly and children.

Therefore regular air-conditioning maintenance is a must if the air conditioner is out of use for a long while (e.g. only used in summer, then switched off)

In this blog, you will get the best tips and tricks on how to clean your air conditioner and make your living space healthier as well as more comfortable.

How to Clean a Window AC Unit?

Take out the air conditioner manual and read it carefully so that you understand all the steps. The first step is to turn off the AC unit for safety purposes. Also make sure to unplug the cord before you start cleaning your window AC unit. Remove the front cover and clean it to get it out of the way. It will either be screwed or fastened with the help of hooks. Use appropriate tools and the manual to take it off safely.

Now remove the filter which is located in the front of the unit. If you cannot find it, consult the manual. You can clean the filter with the help of some mild soap and Lukewarm water. Rinse it with plenty of water and let it dry. It is better if you let it air-dry in sunlight so that any microorganisms are killed by the sun’s UV rays. If the filter is not too dirty, you can either use a clean cloth or a soft brush to brush off the dust.

It’s time to clean the coils that are located on the front and back. The front ones are the evaporator coils and the set of the coils at the back are the condenser coils. You can use a clean and soft brush to dust off any dirt from the coils. Use a spray bottle filled with detergent or soapy water to clean the coils. Let the coils rest in the sunlight for some time to allow the water to dry completely.

How to Clean a Central AC Unit?

The protocol is the same for both window AC and the central AC but there is some difference between the components and the location of these components.

The first thing you must do is to switch off your AC and take the switch out as a safety precaution.

The vent of the central AC is located according to the construction of your home and therefore you might find it in the ceiling, on the walls, under the windows or on the floor.

Get rid of the vent cover with the help of your tool kit and the user manual provided by the manufacturer of your AC. Take out the filter that is present behind the vent cover. If the filter is not too clogged or dirty, use a clean brush with soft bristles or a clean cloth to clean the filter. However, if you see that it is clogged with dirt and debris, wash it with some salt water and use plenty of water to rinse it.

If the filter of your central AC is not usable, replace it with a new one. Make sure that the new filter that you are installing is premium quality and compatible with your AC unit. You can also read up on some tips to keep your ac filter clean.

Then turn off the outdoor unit with the breaker switch that can be found outside. It is usually located near the condenser unit, under a flip-up lid so it is easy to find.

Now take off the lid of the cans and condenser unit and see if there is any dirt, grass, leaves, and other contaminants. You might have to use a power pole vacuum cleaner to vacuum the condenser unit.

How to Clean the Drain Pipe?

It is important to clean the drain pipe so that there is no stagnation of water and the water keeps running smoothly. If the water tends to get stagnant, there is a chance that there will be increased growth of algae and fungi, and other microorganisms that make the water smelly and unhealthy. With such unhygienic conditions, the air coming out of the vent is contaminated and stinky, making the environment of the room uncomfortable and dirty. Therefore, taking care of all the drainage and maintaining a good supply of clean water is also necessary.

You can clean the drainage with the help of a vacuum or use some additional removable filters that can be replaced after some time. Also, you should keep a check on the overall performance and the air quality so that you get uninterrupted cooling that is healthy for yourself and your family.

Keeping Your AC Going

It is advised that you clean your air conditioner every three months, six months, and a year according to your requirements and amount of use. It will not just help the ac work better but also give you the best cooling performance your ac can offer. Regular maintenance can also help in preventing breakdowns. Make sure that you clean your air conditioner before you decide to switch it off in the autumn season so that it stays in working condition. Also, use the best cleaning method depending upon the size of your air filter. In this way, you can restore the condition of your ac without having to spend hundreds of dollars. The servicing and maintenance can also be undertaken by cleaning professionals, contact us to get in touch with a trusted cleaning service.