Air conditioners have long been widely used by Russians to create a favorable climate in residential and office premises. During operation, they become dirty and need to be cleaned. You can do it by contacting professionals or on your own.
Content
- Why you need to clean your air conditioner
- Signs of dirty air conditioner
- How to clean the air conditioner yourself?
- Filter cleaning
- Radiator cleaning
- Rotary fan cleaning
- Cleaning the drainage system
- Cleaning the outer circuit
- Air conditioner cleaners
- The best home air conditioner cleaners
- Sonax Clima Clean Antibacterial
- "Suprotek"
- Domo
- Indesit
- KORTING K19
- FAQ
- Video tips for cleaning the air conditioner
Why you need to clean your air conditioner
Dust and dirt can become the cause of the breakdown devices. In the instructions for the air conditioner of any kind, you can find a clause about their mandatory periodic maintenance. Timely cleaning of the device prevents the appearance of an unpleasant odor and noise during work. Maintaining the cleanliness of the air conditioner can significantly extend its life.
Cleaned of dust and dirt, the device does not spread bacteria and viruses that accumulate inside it throughout the living space. They can cause allergic reactions, cause respiratory diseases and asthma. Dirty air conditioners increase energy consumption, which can seriously affect the family budget.
Self-cleaning of the air conditioner requires knowledge of the structure of its design.
Signs of dirty air conditioner
The device gives a person various signals about the need for cleaning, which can be easily recognized. A sure sign of air conditioner pollution is an unpleasant smell of dampness and charm that appears during its operation. When the appliance is turned on, a strong hum or crackle may be heard.
If the drainage system of the structure malfunctions and there is a lack of refrigerant in it, the air conditioner begins to make sounds resembling “squishing” and “gurgling”. Severe contamination of the air conditioner leads to loss of its cooling capacity. The indoor unit may be leaking.
How to clean the air conditioner yourself?
To clean the air conditioner, you need to know its device. The design consists of internal and external blocks. The first is located indoors, and the second is mounted with access to the outdoor air intake. A detailed diagram of the device of each specific model of air conditioner can be found in its technical data sheet or instruction manual.
To clean the device you will need:
It is better to perform work in rubber gloves and a respirator, after de-energizing the device. The surface chosen for cleaning the air conditioner must be covered with a film or paper. This will prevent the spread of dust and dirt around the room. The procedure for cleaning the air conditioner occurs in several stages.
Filter cleaning
The procedure begins by removing the instrument cover. She is hooked with her hand and pulled up to the stop. Under it are filters, which are a cellular plate with a curved shape.After removing them from the housing, an inspection is carried out and the degree of contamination is determined. Usually it is enough to wash them with warm water.
The filter needs to be removed and cleaned.
In case of severe contamination, the filters are soaked in soapy water for 20-30 minutes. After that, a layer of dirt is removed from their surface and washed in clean running water. Wipe clean filters with a dry soft cloth and leave in the air until completely dry.
The pocket filters cannot be cleaned. They are simply replaced periodically.
Radiator cleaning
Details are located under the bottom cover of air conditioners. They have the form of a large plate, consisting of many small ones. They are located inside the case at a small distance from each other. This complicates the process of cleaning the dust clogged in the gap between them. Get rid of it with a long bristle brush or high power vacuum cleaner.
Often the dust mixes with the condensate and forms a dirt film, which can only be removed with steam. This procedure requires professional skills, so it is better to entrust its implementation to specialists.
Rotary fan cleaning
The part is an oblong shaft with blades. Their contamination can lead to blocking the operation of the fan. Clean the blades and shaft from dust and dirt with a warm soapy solution, a brush or a toothbrush. It is necessary to wipe the blades from dust and dirt with extreme caution. In the event of a breakdown, you will have to completely replace the fan.
Rotary radiator before and after cleaning
Cleaning the drainage system
Clogged with dirt and dust drainage channels of air conditioners are the cause of their leakage. Mold appears in the nozzles of the devices and the fungus begins to grow.First they fall on the drain pan, and then on the radiator. This affects the purity of the air in the room where the air conditioner is installed.
Clean the drainage channels with a dishwashing brush. After that, they must be processed with steam. Some modern models of air conditioners are equipped with an automatic system for cleaning drainage channels and air ionization.
Cleaning the outer circuit
Cleaning the outer circuit
The most difficult procedure due to the inaccessibility of the outdoor unit. It is carried out 1-2 times a year with the help of a powerful vacuum cleaner, which blows leaves and dust out of the equipment. When cleaning, be careful not to damage the electrical wiring of the unit. Dirt that does not give in to a vacuum cleaner is cleaned with a brush with a medium pile.
At the final stage of work, wipe the case of the outdoor unit with a damp soft cloth. With strong pollution they fight with the help of steam cleaners. After finishing work, the air conditioner should not be turned on until it is completely dry.
Air conditioner cleaners
In addition to soap solutions for washing air conditioners, you can use various household chemicals. Together with the removal of contamination from the parts of the device, they disinfect them.
At home, for cleaning appliances use:
- to remove dust and dirt – surfactants;
- for disinfection - chlorine-alcohol, acid or alkaline agents.
They may have a different shape. Foam aerosol cleaners are very popular. They have a penetrating effect, soften dirt well and break down fats. Many products in this group have an elongated nozzle designed for cleaning car air conditioners.
After their processing, a protective film is formed on the surface of the parts, which has the properties of an antiseptic that does not lose its properties for up to 3 months.
Deep disinfection of equipment is carried out using liquids with an alkaline composition. They are available in plastic spray bottles. By means of this type, it is necessary to process equipment that has been on long-term conservation. Can be used for cleaning air conditioners and medical antiseptics. The most popular of these are chloramine, lysoformin and chlorhexidine.
The best home air conditioner cleaners
Sonax Clima Clean Antibacterial
The country of origin is Germany. Means is intended for cleaning of household and automobile conditioners.
The product effectively cleans surfaces from grease and dirt, and also removes unpleasant odors, destroys fungus, mold and maintains air hygiene for a long time.
Sonax Clima Clean Antibakeriell can be specifically used to protect the instrument from germs and bacteria.
Advantages:
- efficiency;
- good disinfectant properties;
- long period of action;
- simplicity and ease of use.
No deficiencies have been identified.
"Suprotek"
Country of origin - Russia. The tool is available in the form of a solution. It is intended for cleaning and disinfection of the internal block of conditioners.
The composition of Suprotec includes eucalyptus essential oil, which fills the air in the room with a stable pleasant aroma.
The liquid copes well with strong chronic pollution. The surface of the parts after processing with Suprotec is covered with a protective antibacterial film.
Advantages:
- high efficiency;
- affordable cost;
- long-term action;
- convenient packaging.
No deficiencies have been identified.
Domo
Country of origin - Ukraine. The product is available in metal spray cans. It is used to clean household and car air conditioners from dirt, dust, fungus, mold, bacteria and microbes.
Domo
It is recommended that they treat the equipment once every 2-3 months. Domo can be applied to indoor and outdoor blocks.
Advantages:
- deodorizing action;
- efficiency;
- long period of action.
No deficiencies have been identified.
Indesit
Indesit
The country of origin is Italy.
Means is intended for cleaning of internal and external blocks of household conditioners.
Effectively eliminates unpleasant odors, destroys bacteria and microbes, cleans surfaces from old dirt.
The product is available in the form of a spray. The volume of the can is designed for 1 use.
Advantages:
- nice smell;
- disinfectant properties;
- efficiency.
Main disadvantage:
- high price.
KORTING K19
Country of origin - Denmark.
The main purpose of the product is the fight against microorganisms in air conditioning systems.
Available in the form of a spray. Well clears dirt, clears air of an unpleasant smell, filling it with aroma of freshness.
used for cleaning indoor units. Cannot be used for cellulose filters.
Advantages:
- convenient packaging;
- efficiency;
- nice smell;
- long duration.
No deficiencies have been identified.
FAQ
The frequency of cleaning the device depends on the intensity and conditions of its use. Most often it is 1 time in 2-3 weeks.
During the non-working period, insects can accumulate inside the device, which climb into it with the onset of cold weather. Organic traces of their vital activity are a nutrient soil for the development of various bacteria. Therefore, before the seasonal start-up, cleaning the air conditioner is mandatory.
Timely removal of dirt and dust from air conditioner parts prevents their premature failure and reproduction of pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms in air conditioners.
The external block of air conditioners located from the 1st to the 4th floor is recommended to be cleaned of dirt at least once every 3 months. The degree of their pollution is much higher than the air conditioners on the upper floors, which can be cleaned once every 2 years.
Air conditioner cleaners produced by manufacturers are safe for humans, but when working with concentrated solutions, precautions must be taken. It is better to work with them in rubber gloves.
Cleaning air conditioners is a must. Internal and external blocks of equipment are exposed to it. The frequency of the procedure depends on the conditions of their operation.
Video tips for cleaning the air conditioner
