If you don't want to use commercial cleaners, you can opt for a simple AC coil cleaner that you can make at home. Mix a detergent with warm water and put it in a spray bottle. Spray evenly on the coils and let the cleaner sit for a few minutes.
Coil Cleaning Alternatives
If you like the idea of water-based coil cleaning but it's not getting the coils as clean as you like, try adding a bit of dish detergent to the mix. This mild cleaning agent is readily available and ensures you aren't introducing harsh chemicals into your home environment.
Still, about ¼ of a cup of vinegar will do the trick in most cases. As for the frequency, you can get good results by cleaning the coils every month or every couple of months. Naturally, cleaning the coils can be time-consuming, especially when other AC maintenance tasks are added to the solution.
Don't use anything that isn't formulated for HVAC use. Dawn and other detergents have ammonia and other compounds that can and will corrode copper, but the stuff you buy at the supply house should not.
AC Coil Cleaner Method: Compressed Air
Cleaning the indoor evaporator coil with compressed air will blow dust and debris inside the home. Using compressed air can be a quick and reasonably effective method to remove surface dust, dirt and debris from the coil.
Knowing how to clean AC coils is a money-saving DIY skill, an easy way to maintain efficiency and save on energy costs. Regular, bi-monthly coil cleaning with Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner during warmer months will keep your AC unit in great working order for years to come.
If you don't want to use commercial cleaners, you can opt for a simple AC coil cleaner that you can make at home. Mix a detergent with warm water and put it in a spray bottle. Spray evenly on the coils and let the cleaner sit for a few minutes. Then wipe all the grime with a piece of cloth.
Washing the air conditioner with vinegar will remove any dust, bacteria, algae, or other particles that may cause the air conditioner to clog. Moreover, using vinegar once a month removes dirt from the coils and protects the air conditioner from many other main problems.
As we've already suggested and to answer simply - yes, you can use rubbing or isopropyl alcohol to clean the parts of your vape pen. In fact, it's one of the most effective ways to break up the built-up residue and clean your device's parts completely.
Potassium or sodium hydroxide are widely used as active ingredients in coil cleaners. They clean by the same etching and hydrogen gas production method listed above for acid cleaning.
While bleach does kill bacteria and fungi, we do NOT recommend using it to clean out your A/C drain. Your evaporator coil right by your drain is made of aluminum, which corrodes when bleach comes into contact with it.
Vinegar possesses numerous properties that can help keep your AC unit running smoothly and efficiently. Let's explore the benefits of using vinegar to clean and maintain your AC drain line, allowing you to avoid the need for AC repair.
First, check your filters and coils for dirt and debris that may be impeding airflow. Once you've cleaned the filters and coils, run the air conditioner with just the fan so that the ice accumulation can melt off. If the AC still doesn't blow cold air, it could be that refrigerant levels are too low.
An all-purpose oven cleaner could be required if there is still a fair amount of dust and debris after cleaning. You can follow this process in order to clean AC evaporator coils yourself. Use the evaporator blower wheel to carry out the same steps once more. Make sure to wipe the solvent off completely.
Removing coil gunk will prolong the life of a coil but you will probably find that your cleaned coil doesn't perform as well as a new one.
Any standard dish soap, mixed with warm water should do the trick on really grimy coils.
Turning on the AC Too Soon
Wait at least 30 to 60 minutes for the unit to dry. Water and dampness can interfere with the unit's operation and cause electrical components to short circuit.
Using a hose, spray water onto the coils to remove dirt and dust. After the waiting period is over, use your hose to rinse the coils clean. For best results, start by spraying the AC unit from the inside out, starting at the top of the unit and working your way down.
Dirty AC coils become insulated rather than able to release heat the system extracts from the air. The system will therefore struggle to cool your home. Indoor air can become more humid too, as the system won't be able to extract as much moisture, making things extremely uncomfortable in the summer.
In most cases, you can get away with cleaning your coils once a year with a seasonal tune-up. However, you should consider where your unit is located. If you're in a big city with heavy air pollution, you may want to have the coils cleaned two times a year.
If you prefer a more natural solution, you can also make a DIY cleaning solution using water, vinegar, and baking soda. Mix one cup of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda in a gallon of water. This solution can be used to clean the air filters, coils, and drain pan.
If you don't want to buy specialized coil cleaner, you can mix warm water with detergent and put it in a spray bottle. It won't work quite as well, but it's easy to make, cheap, and readily available in most every home.
The good news is that you absolutely can spray water on your air conditioner if it needs a cleaning, and nothing bad will happen. Spraying water on your AC's condenser also helps it run more efficiently. In fact, your condenser needs a regular spritzing in order to keep doing a good job.