How to clean an air conditioner with your own hands at home, the best remedies

Some people tolerate summer heat poorly and install an air conditioner in their apartment. Such a device must be properly maintained, and therefore experts recommend periodically cleaning it from dirt. It is necessary to familiarize yourself in advance with the features of cleaning a household air conditioner.

What you need to know to clean your air conditioner

Air conditioning systems need to be cleaned regularly, as debris and dust particles accumulate in them during prolonged use. Most often, dust clogs in air filters, which let air through.Literally after 2-3 months of active operation, dust debris forms on their surface, which deteriorates the performance of the equipment. Therefore, experts advise cleaning certain items at least once every 60-70 days.

In this case, it is necessary to clean not only the filters, but also other parts of the air conditioner:

  • drainage system;
  • evaporator;
  • radiator;
  • paddle wheels;
  • fan;
  • outdoor unit.

When cleaning is needed

People who are going to clean the air conditioning system should familiarize themselves with the causes of contamination and the symptoms that indicate that the air conditioner needs to be cleaned.

Reasons for contamination

There are several reasons for air conditioner contamination:

  • Dust. This is the main reason for the appearance of dirt in the system. Dust particles settle on the electrical conductors, causing the device to malfunction.
  • Insects. Flies and wasps often enter the drainage tubes. It is recommended to get rid of them because they interfere with air circulation.

Acute symptoms

Signs by which you can tell that the system needs to be cleaned include:

  • unpleasant odor that appears when the device is working;
  • increased electricity consumption;
  • decrease in system power.

Periodicity

Different air conditioner components will need to be cleaned at different intervals:

  • Filters. The filters should be cleaned once a month if the device is actively used.
  • Components installed in the indoor unit. Cleaned annually before summer.
  • External block. It is cleaned twice - in autumn and spring.

man cleans the air conditioner

Self-cleaning

To clean the air conditioner yourself at home, you need to familiarize yourself with the cleaning features of the various components of the system.

Divided wheels

It is recommended to clean the impeller without removing it. To do this, simply get rid of the outer casing and remove the filters. Then you need to use a vacuum cleaner and use it to blow out all the dust that has accumulated on the surface of the wheel.

External block

If the air conditioning system begins to circulate air in the apartment more slowly, the outdoor unit must be cleaned.For this, the protective cover is removed and large debris that has accumulated under it is removed. Then it is necessary to rinse the blades of the external fan and wipe the radiator from dust. This must be done very carefully so that no liquid gets into it.

Filtered

Many people find it difficult to clean dust filter screens, but this is not the case. They are located under the top cover of the device and are therefore easily accessible. To do this, you need to remove the cover and remove the dirty filters. They are then gently brushed and rinsed with lukewarm water. The filter nets must be dried before being reinstalled.

Radiator

Cleaning the radiator is easy because you don't need to remove or disassemble anything. The only thing to do is to remove the top cover and the filters located above the radiator. After that, it is necessary to wipe the surface with a long-haired brush and vacuum the radiator. The top-cap filters are then replaced.

air conditioner cleaning process

Fan

If the air circulation is disturbed, the fan must be cleaned. To do this you will need to get rid of the top cover and the dust filter nets. Next, a little soapy solution is applied to the fan drum and the blades are wiped clean.After that, you need to turn on the air conditioner so that the cleaned dirt is blown out.

Drainage systems

The drainage system is responsible for draining the liquid from the heat exchanger. It consists of a pallet and a special drainage pipe. Before cleaning, the paddle must be disconnected from the tube and the board. Then it is washed in cold water and soapy water. The drain tube is blown out with a vacuum cleaner or compressor, which blows air.

Heat exchanger

Often a lot of dust accumulates on the surface of the heat exchanger. Over time, this leads to the formation of a thick film of dirt, which causes the air conditioner to overheat. To get rid of the dirt, you will need to use a steam cleaner. Residual dust is cleaned with a cloth or lint brush.

Rotating impeller

The rotating turbine is an important part of the system as it circulates the air. When cleaning, it is better not to remove the rotor from the housing, so as not to accidentally damage anything. You can clean it from dirt with detergents and warm water. Cleaning is carried out very carefully so as not to damage the turbine blades.

Evaporator grids

The evaporator grid is called the tube system, which is responsible for transporting Freon. It must be cleaned periodically, as a lot of dust accumulates on the surface. To wash the grid, use lukewarm water and a soft brush. However, it should be vacuumed before washing to remove large pieces of debris.

outdoor unit

The outdoor unit gets dirty quickly and is therefore cleaned regularly. Wipe the surface of the block with a damp cloth soaked in soapy water.

Features of cleaning air conditioners from different manufacturers

Different companies are engaged in the production of air conditioning systems.It is necessary to understand the basic nuances of cleaning devices from various manufacturers in advance.

Haier

Hyer air conditioners are easy to clean because they are easy to disassemble. When cleaning the indoor unit of appliances, use an ordinary brush soaked in soapy liquid. If there is too much dirt, the device is pre-purged with a vacuum cleaner.

LG

In most models of systems manufactured by LG, the outdoor unit is most often dirty. To clean it, perform the following sequence of actions:

  • disconnect the device from the power supply;
  • removal of all debris from the body;
  • remove the protective cover;
  • clean the blades;
  • flushing the radiator.

ballou

Owners of Balu air conditioners have difficulty cleaning the heat exchanger, which is located in the internal block of the system. To clean the heat exchanger yourself, you will need to perform the following steps:

  • remove the split system front cover;
  • remove the mesh, which is responsible for air filtration;
  • dry cleaning the surface of the heat exchanger with a vacuum cleaner and a brush;
  • Remove stubborn dirt stains with a steam cleaner.

Ballu air conditioner

Daikin

Some owners of Daikin air conditioners complain about the rapid clogging of filters. To clean them, you will need to remove the cover of the indoor unit. After that, you need to remove the filters and put them in a container with water. They are soaked for 20-25 minutes and wiped with a cloth to wipe dirt from the surface. After drying, the washed filters are reinstalled.

Electric Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Electric split systems are periodically contaminated from the drainage system.It not only clogs with grease or dust, but also with mold and mildew. If the drainage is not cleaned in time, water will begin to flow into the room. To clean the drainage system, they use solutions for washing dishes and household appliances.

General Fujitsu

In some Fujitsu General models, the fans located in the indoor unit break due to dirt accumulation. To prolong their life, the blades will need to be cleaned periodically. This can be done mechanically using a brush or a small paintbrush. You can also blow it out with a compressor.

Mitsubishi Heavy

The most common failure of Mitsubishi Heavy systems is considered a leak, which appears due to clogged drain pipes. To prevent leaks from air conditioning systems, drain pipes should be cleaned regularly. To do this, you will need to disconnect them from the palette and wash them in soapy water.

Mitsubishi Heavy Air Conditioner

Toshiba

Some Toshiba models begin to degrade due to dirt buildup in the evaporator. To clean it, you will need to unplug the air conditioner from the power source and open the indoor unit. Then the grid is removed and the dirt is washed off the surface.

panasonic

Filters are the main component of Panasonic air conditioning systems. They are cleaned in the same way as in other models of split systems.

hyundai

When cleaning Hyundai devices, special attention should be paid to the indoor unit and filter screens, which are located under the front panel. If you don't wipe them off, the air conditioner will stop cooling the air and start to get very hot.

Hitachi

When cleaning appliances manufactured by Hitachi, the hardest thing to clean is the outdoor unit.It is better to entrust this work to specialists who will do everything efficiently.

Samsung

Old Samsung air conditioners are poorly protected against mold. Most often they appear in the drainage system, because there is high humidity. When a fungus appears, the drainage system will need to be treated with antiseptic mixtures.

Samsung air conditioner

Electrolux

Inside the split systems from Electrolux, special radiators are installed, which must be cleaned regularly. In this case, it is necessary to carry out dry cleaning without the use of water. It is necessary to bleed the radiator with a compressor or a vacuum cleaner set to blow air.

Midea

Air conditioning systems manufactured by Midea must clean the indoor unit. This procedure consists of several sequential steps:

  • clean the drainage system;
  • blow out the radiator;
  • wash the fan blades;
  • cleaning filters.

Kentatsu

Split systems manufactured by Kentatsu should be cleaned 2-3 times a year. This applies not only to the internal unit, but also to the external unit. This is where a lot of dirt and debris accumulates. If not cleaned, the air conditioning compressor will heat up and damage it.

Kentatsu air conditioner

Facilities

There are seven effective products that are often used to clean air conditioning systems.

home

Many people think that Domo can only be used to clean glass, but that's not the case. It is also used to remove impurities in air conditioners and household appliances. Before use, the composition is diluted with water in a ratio of one to five.

Favor Cool

It is a versatile cleaning agent that can be used to clean air conditioners.Key benefits of Favor Cool include ease of use, effectiveness against greasy stains and corrosion, and the ability to remove inorganic contaminants.

upper house

Top House is considered the ideal product for cleaning dirt stuck to the surface. This product contains ingredients that can quickly remove greasy stains. Before wiping air conditioning systems, the composition must be diluted with water.

technical point

This cleaning agent is sold in liquid form in small bottles with a volume of about 200-250 milliliters. When using Techpoint, it is diluted with water, after which the liquid is poured onto a dirty surface and rubbed with a sponge.

Techpoint Tool

Disinfectant Cleaner Spray (RTU)

When cleaning the drainage system of air conditioners, it is advisable to use the Cleaner Disinfectant spray. This product not only removes dust, but also prevents the development of mold, which often appears in the drainage system.

Indesit C00093751

Italian cleaning agent used to clean dirt in split systems. "Indesit" perfectly fights dust, fungus and dangerous bacteria. It also helps to get rid of the unpleasant smell coming from the air conditioner.

MP-028 magic power

It is recommended to use Magic Power MP-028 for the disinfection of air conditioning systems. It is a disinfectant detergent composition which has a deodorant and detergent effect on the surface to be treated. The product destroys mold, fungi and bacteria.

Magic Power Tool MP-028

Prophylaxis

In order for the air conditioner installed in the apartment to work normally, it is necessary to regularly clean it and prepare it for winter and summer.

Storage for the winter

Preservation before the onset of winter is done in three stages:

  • pump the refrigerant from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit;
  • complete disconnection of the system from the power supply;
  • installing a protective cover on the outdoor unit.

Filter cleaning

To maintain the normal operation of the air conditioning system, the filters are regularly washed. This prevents dirt from accumulating and promotes air circulation in the room where the air conditioner is installed.

Prepare for summer

Before the summer operation of the air conditioner, it must be properly prepared. During preparation, a visual inspection of the system is carried out. It is also necessary to clean the indoor and outdoor units if they have not been cleaned before winter. If necessary, old filters are replaced with new ones.

Steam cleaning the outdoor unit of the air conditioner

Frequently asked questions about cleaning and maintenance

There are several common questions about maintaining and cleaning air conditioning systems.

How do you know when it's time to change the filter?

Most modern models have special indicators that indicate the degree of contamination of the filter. With their help, you can determine whether you need to replace it or not.

Why does the system not cool the air?

Air cooling problems can stem from a clogged turbine with a radiator or a malfunctioning compressor.

Should I prepare my system for the summer?

It is imperative to prepare air conditioners for the summer. Without prior preparation, they will slowly cool the air.

Conclusion

Owners of air conditioners should regularly clean the system from dust. Before that, you should familiarize yourself with the features of cleaning such equipment and the most common detergents.



We advise you to read:

TOP 20 tools only to clean an artificial stone sink in the kitchen