First, disassemble the filters and rinse them with lukewarm water, rubbing them lightly to better remove the most stubborn dirt that adheres more to the surface of the filters. If the dirt is still impregnated, use some kind of soft soap, such as the soap that you usually use to wash your hands.
Dish soap will work best, but hand soap can be used if you're out of dish soap. Gently scrub any stubborn grime with a soft-bristled brush. Do this step with care to avoid damaging your filter.
RE: What is the best way to clean an air filter?? dish soap works really well. It is made to cut grease and oil, so it works really well on filter oil. Denatured alcohol also works really really well, but its less likely to be laying around your house, costs a little more and stinks a bit.
Yes, you can wash an air conditioner's reusable filter. However, you can not wash a disposable air filter. Reusable air conditioner air filter is made of a plastic gauze that sieves air that passes across it.
Many disposable air conditioner filters should be replaced rather than cleaned, as cleaning with water can lead to possible mold issues. Clean the coils and fan of the AC regularly, using a canister of condensed air to blow away dust and buildup.
Higher Energy Bills
While fresh air filters can improve airflow and reduce unit stress, dirty or clogged air filters have the opposite effect, causing your system to work harder to adequately cool your residence. This can skyrocket your energy bills, forcing you to pay more money for substandard cooling.
As a general rule, you should clean your air conditioner filters within the indoor unit every two weeks. In more dusty or polluted environments you should clean your filters more regularly. Cleaning your filters is the most important maintenance task you can do to care for your air conditioner.
Dirty air filters cause your AC to operate at a lower efficiency which means it does not cool your house as well as it should, and can end up costing you more money in the long run.
Remove the AC filter slowly to avoid dust flying everywhere. Clean it by blowing it slowly or using a vacuum cleaner. Do not wash the filter with water and soap. Re-attach everything and put it back in the glove box.
Immersion in Warm, Soapy Water – Where stubborn air-borne dirt is present, the filter may be dipped in a solution of warm water and mild detergent. Then simply rinse in clear water, let stand until completely dry and free of moisture, and return to service.
'You can be more thorough in your cleaning of a foam filter as it's a bit sturdier,' explains Delah Gomasi, cleaning expert and CEO of MaidForYou, Fill a bowl with warm water and dish soap [such as Dawn dish soap, at Walmart] and submerge the filter.
You can wash, dry and reuse most pre-filters and carbon filters, but you'll need to buy a replacement HEPA filter from time to time. This is because HEPA filters cannot be cleaned, as cleaning them tends to destroy their structure that keeps them filtering well.
Dish soap will work best, but hand soap can be used if you're out of dish soap. Gently scrub any stubborn grime with a soft-bristled brush. Do this step with care to avoid damaging your filter. Rinse the filter with warm water until all the soap and debris are gone.
Warm Water and Detergent
Any standard dish soap, mixed with warm water should do the trick on really grimy coils. We recommend mixing the water and detergent in a spray bottle and then applying it to the coils.
How to Tell If an Air Filter Is Washable. Your filter should indicate somewhere on it whether it's washable. If you aren't sure, get rid of the old filter when its time is up and buy a new filter you know is reusable. New filters should say on their packaging if you can wash them.
You might wonder about the risks of running your AC without a filter, even temporarily. The simple answer is: not for long. Ideally, your AC should never operate without a filter for more than 6-8 hours. Going beyond this can negatively affect both your system's health and your home's air quality.
No, you should never run your AC without a filter!
While your HVAC unit will run, it should never run without an air filter. Dirt is the number one cause of air conditioners breaking down, so running your unit without an installed air filters can cause serious damage.
A dirty air filter restricts airflow through the HVAC system making it harder to reach your desired indoor temperature at an increased cost.
Cleaning the air filter not only does not improve, but also deteriorates its filtration properties. Only periodical replacement of the filter with a new one can provide efficient filtration of the air entering directly into the combustion chamber of the engine.
Let It Dry
Let the air filter dry for at least eight hours before reinstalling it to the AC unit. The best place to dry the filter after washing is in natural sunlight. Please don't be tempted to run the AC without the air filters.
As a rule of thumb, you should check it each month and clean or replace it when it looks dirty.
You should not put a damp filter back in your AC system. For larger filters that cannot be soaked, use a garden hose and spray attachment to remove the grime. You can also spray larger filters with the vinegar and water solution.
Is my AC not working because of the filter? Potentially, yes. While there are a whole host of issues that could cause problems with your air conditioning system, a dirty air filter should be the first thing to check if your central air conditioning unit isn't working as properly as it should.
To keep your family breathing clean air, it's essential to replace your air filter regularly. A clean filter traps these harmful particles, preventing them from circulating in your home and improving your indoor air quality.