Cleaning Methods for Air Conditioners

Air conditioners need regular maintenance cleaning.

Air conditioners need regular maintenance cleaning.

Air conditioners function through a combination of fans and motors that continually move to keep the coolant flowing and the cool air blowing. Filters, coils, vents and working parts all collect dust and debris over time, so regular maintenance is mandatory to keep your air conditioner in optimal condition. There are a variety of cleaning methods for air conditioners, depending on the type you are dealing with and the specific parts.


You can use a vacuum for the basic cleaning of your air conditioner, such as for the access panels and their filters, as well as any other filters or coverings that collect dust. For best results, you should do this every three to six months to keep the air flow moving through at the best rate. You can also use the vacuum to clean general debris off the surface of the coils and other internal elements of the air conditioner after you remove the access panels.

Pressure Washer

If you have a wall or window mount unit that is installed in a metal sleeve/box or an outdoor unit that sits alongside the house, a pressure washer comes in handy. Not only does the pressure washer give you the chance to clean the exterior casing, but after you remove the panels you can pressure wash all the dirt and debris from the interior. Turn the unit off while you do this and don't turn it back on for at least 24 hours to ensure that all the parts have dried completely.

Coil Cleaners

Home improvement stores sell a variety of spray-on coil cleaners. Most of these cleaners are foam-based and spray onto the surface of the coils. From there, some manufacturers will tell you to leave the residue to drip off with the condensation. Others instruct you to brush, vacuum or wipe the coils clean after a specific amount of time. Multiple coats may be necessary if you have never cleaned your unit, but if you are keeping up with maintenance once or twice a year a single coat should be sufficient.

Air Compressor

Similar to a vacuum cleaner, you can use an air compressor with a nozzle on the end of it for a general cleaning to shake loose the majority of dust and fibers. Use this method to clean the air filters as well as any internal working parts and the condenser coils. If you don’t have access to an air compressor, hose and nozzle, and your air conditioner isn’t that big or you only have a filter or two, you can use the spray-can compressed air that's sold to clean keyboards and computers.

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