Air conditioners cool the air inside your home during hot summer days by constantly circulating air through the unit into your home. When so doing, mold spores can build-up from the moisture and be pushed into the living area, which may cause serious mold-related health problems such as sneezing, coughing, and respiratory problems. Cleaning window air conditioners adequately can help get rid of mold and prevent it from spreading throughout your home.
If you are looking for tips for cleaning window air conditioners in your home or have any other heating & air conditioning inquiries, contact Galmiche & Sons in St. Louis, today at 314-993-1110!
Basic Steps to Clean Your Window Air Conditioner
Cleaning your window air conditioner is fairly basic maintenance, and it is often many homeowners can do themselves. Below is a step-by-step guide to clean the window air conditioner and get rid of mold. Items needed for cleaning window air conditioners include:
- Protective eyewear
- Face mask
- Gloves
- Screwdriver
- Laundry detergent
- Water
- Bleach
- Scrub brush
- Water bucket
- Mild dish soap
- Cloth
- Vacuum cleaner with attachment
Precaution
It is important to note that the process of cleaning window air conditioners should be performed in a well-ventilated area, especially if you are going to use harsh cleaning solutions and bleach.
Instructions
- Put on your face mask, protective eyewear, and gloves, and turn off the air conditioner at the socket outlet and unplug it from the power source.
- Remove the unit’s front grill by pulling forward and slightly pushing it down. You can also use the screwdriver to remove the screws if the grill is screwed in.
- Remove the filter from the front grill of the unit and either replace it with a new one if it’s disposable or place it in the sink if it’s washable and sprinkle laundry detergent on it.
- For washable filters, cover the filter completely with hot water and let it soak.
- With a scrub brush, clean the air conditioner’s filter thoroughly, rinse it with clean water and lay it out to dry.
- Use a screwdriver to remove the metal cover from the window air conditioner and clean the interior of the unit completely to remove all dirt, debris, and molds, using the vacuum and attachment.
- Spray the inside of your unit with cleaning products or prepare a solution with a mixture of 1-tablespoon mild dish soap, ½-cup bleach, and 3 gallons of water in a bucket.
- Allow this solution to sit on the surface for 15 minutes before wiping it off with a damp cloth and allow all the pieces to dry completely before reassembling them.
- Replace the metal cover, grill, filter, screws, and plug the unit into its power source.
What You Should Do if You Suspect Mold in Window Air Conditioner Unit
While air conditioner units should not grow mold under normal operating conditioners, if you suspect mold it is important to clean your window air conditioner to remove any possible mold growth. Turn the unit OFF until you can confirm that it is free of mold. Using an air conditioner that contains mold will blow microscopic mold spores into your home, causing the potential for serious health issues and illness.
Contact Galmiche & Sons for More Tips on Cleaning Mold from Your Window Air Conditioner and All Your Other Air Conditioning Needs
If you suspect mold in your window air conditioner or are experiencing any other heating and cooling problems, contact the experts at Galmiche & Sons today at 314-993-1110 for your St. Louis heating & air conditioning needs including how to clean your window AC unit. Our HVAC experts can help you eliminate any harmful substances in your unit to ensure you and your family a healthy living environment.
