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.
You could also use a homemade mix of water and mild detergent (like dish soap) instead of commercial chemical cleaners. After cleaning the coils, it's also a good time to inspect the other parts of the unit. Inspect the condensate drain pan and remove anything that doesn't belong there.
While there are a number of commercially available coil cleaning solutions on the market, air conditioner coils can be cleaned with a solution of a mild household detergent and water. The detergent and water mix is applied to the coil using a low-pressure sprayer.
This is totally cleanable. Try using a brush with a commercial coil cleaner or make one at home. You only need detergent and warm water. Mix them together and spray evenly on your evaporator coils. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes and then wipe off with a piece of cloth. Repeat the process and you should be good to go.
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.
Yes, vinegar mixed with water is often used to perform DIY cleaning on AC coils at home. However, vinegar is usually effective only against lighter dirt build-ups. Nevertheless, you can keep your coils in good shape by mixing white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spraying the mixture onto the coils.
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.
There are specific cleaning solutions that remove dirt and grime from evaporator coils or condenser coils. Read the label before starting to ensure you're using the right solution. Avoid using acid-based cleaners indoors, and never mix different brands of cleaners.
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.
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.
Acid coil cleaners include hydrofluoric acid as the active ingredient and are used on condenser coils located outdoors. Non-acid coil cleaners include either sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or a combination of the two as the active ingredient and can be used on both condenser and evaporator coils.
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.
Cal-Green is an all-natural environmentally friendly condenser coil cleaner. This low-foaming, non-toxic cleaner is outstanding for removing dirt and grime which hinders heat transfer. By cleaning the fins with Cal-Green you, restore the unit's efficiency while being environmentally responsible.
Spray. Next, spray a generous amount of WD-40 in the cooling fins of the A/C, going from left to right. Let the solution sit for 15-20 minutes. This cleaning agent will expertly go deep into the cooling fins, while any other cleaning solution would only clean them up from the outside.
Hydrogen peroxide is a great solution to use for disinfecting. You will be needing this to give a final spray on the areas where air flows in and out to prevent mildew from growing. Just dilute it with water in a spray bottle, and you got your perfect sanitizer.
Any standard dish soap, mixed with warm water should do the trick on really grimy coils.
Cleaning AC Drain Line
We recommend using vinegar instead of a bleach solution because bleach can cause corrosion if you have copper tubing in your AC's drain line. In addition, spilling bleach can ruin your carpet or clothing, whereas vinegar does not harm; it just leaves an odor.
Fill a small spray bottle with white vinegar and plain water in a 1:1 ratio and shake the bottle to combine everything perfectly. This solution can assist you in cleaning the coils efficiently and without difficulty.
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.
Use a can of compressed air (which you can purchase at any hardware store) to gently blow large particles of debris and dirt out of the evaporator coils. Any debris that is stuck can be worked away using your soft bristle brush. Make sure you are not using a metal or wire brush because it can damage the coils.
How Long Must I Wait After Coil Cleaning Before Turning On The Air Conditioner? Before using the air conditioner, make sure it is totally dry. After cleaning the coils, wait 30 to 60 minutes before turning on the air conditioner.
If the aluminum fins on the condenser coils are bent, use a fin comb to gently straighten them out. This can help the unit run better. Spray down the coils with coil cleaner, using your hose to gently wet the coils down first.
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.