It's recommended you use regular distilled white vinegar, as the increased acidity boosts its cleaning properties. If you find the smell of vinegar foul, you can also use peroxide or hot water and a dash of dish soap. Step 5.
Flush With Vinegar
If you don't have any vinegar in the house, you can use peroxide as a substitute. Hot water and dish soap can also be used, but distilled vinegar is the best choice if you want to remove as much buildup as possible.
Vinegar is an effective and environmentally friendly solution for cleaning your AC drainline. Removes Algae, Mold and Mildew: Vinegar is acidic, which helps to eliminate bacteria, mold, and algae that can grow in the damp environment of the drainline. Dissolves Buildup: Over time, mineral deposits and organic matter.
Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then pour it down the drain line. Leave it for around 30 minutes, then flush with clean water. You should notice an immediate improvement in your AC's performance. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that will also help prevent organic growth from developing in your system.
You should pour a flushing solution such as a mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and warm water to clean your drain line as often as once a month. The solution would make the AC drain lines inhabitable for most organisms.
Vinegar and baking soda are harmful to your drain, both individually and when combined. Baking soda is abrasive, which, when used in large quantities, will cause the drain more damage. Additionally, the acidic nature of vinegar can eat away rubber and metal, damaging the plumbing.
Vinegar or hydrogen peroxide
This can help break down the clog, making it easier to pass on its own. After the 30 minutes is up, flush the drain with water to ensure everything is flowing as it should.
Ensure that the solution reaches as far as possible down the line. Let it sit for about 30 minutes to allow the vinegar to break down any buildup. Flush the Drain Line.
Drain Line Material
Chlorine bleach can quickly eat away at not only the line but the glue and cement joining the line to the fittings and the condensation pan. If your drain line is PVC, stick to white distilled vinegar for clearing clogs and debris, particularly during winter.
Using Bleach in Your AC Drain
Be sure to use a minimum of 2 cups once or twice per year. Be advised, however, that some newer units no longer recommend bleach or vinegar due to oxidation/degradation concerns. In these cases, boiling water is recommended.
Add ¼ cup of distilled vinegar to the drain line through the opening where the cap was removed. It's recommended you use regular distilled white vinegar, as the increased acidity boosts its cleaning properties. If you find the smell of vinegar foul, you can also use peroxide or hot water and a dash of dish soap.
The slimy substance that appears in your AC is commonly called white slime, and it may show up in your drain line, drain pan, or other parts of your unit. You can use a wet/dry vacuum to remove the slime and other debris, and you can finish the job by flushing the line with a cleaning solution.
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.
Customers say the AC Line Cleaner is an effective solution for maintaining clear drain lines in air conditioning systems. Many users appreciate its ease of use and the absence of strong odors compared to traditional methods like bleach or vinegar.
professionals suggest that you avoid using harsh chemicals such as Drano to unclog the block.
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.
Potential Damage to Pipes
Another reason to avoid using vinegar for drain cleaning is the potential for pipe damage. Vinegar's acidity can react with certain pipe materials, such as metal or galvanized steel, leading to corrosion over time.
Cleaning vinegar and white distilled vinegar are very similar in their composition (namely, acetic acid and water), but the key difference lies in the acidity levels between the two. "Cleaning vinegar generally contains a higher acetic acid concentration than regular white vinegar," says Sokolowski.
Due to its highly acidic nature, apple cider vinegar is self-preserving and doesn't ever really go bad. However, when you buy a bottle at the store, you'll still find an expiration date printed on the label. This is because the FDA requires manufacturers to do so.
The easiest way to clean drain lines is with a bit of bleach or vinegar. It only takes 5-10 minutes to clean your system and remove any mold or mildew, and when you're done you will be able to use your AC system even better than before!
Pour One Cup of Bleach Down the Drain Line
Pour one cup of bleach down your drain line every month to help keep it free from clogs.
After you've cleaned and dried everything, it's time to reassemble your window AC unit and give it a final spray to prevent mildew from growing. Grab your hydrogen peroxide spray bottle and apply the solution to the areas where air flows in and out.