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.
Yes, it's fine - Dawn works exceptionally well. K&N has no issue with using a mild degreaser - they've been clear on this (because it's not a secret - the degreasing step is done with a simple degreaser - it doesn't matter which one). You're rinsing the filter with tap water afterwards anyway - there is no issue.
Apply WD-40 degreaser generously on the filter. Alternately, use warm soap water. Scrub it, generally with your hand or a plastic bristle brush is alright. Wash it with plenty water - About 3 minutes of free flowing water under tap in opposite direction of functional air flow.
You should avoid using solvents or kerosene for this reason. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner is aggressive on grease and heavy soils but is gentle enough to clean air filters without harming the filter material or causing damage to surfaces found on automotive equipment.
Cleaning with soap and water is generally recommended for cloth and carbon filters. You need to be careful while washing with water since it can damage your filters. Water should not be used to wash paper filters. First, use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the dust, dirt and debris.
Let the air filter dry overnight before oiling it, which is necessary because any remaining moisture will prevent the filter oil from penetrating it. NOTE: Never use contact/brake cleaner or carb cleaner on a K&N air filter, as theylll severely damage its cotton gauze material.
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.
You can use a gentle brush and mild detergent to wash off sticky particles. Once that's done, shake the excess water so it drains out of the drain holes in the frame, and reinstall the air filter back into the system. The airflow from the system will dry the clean filter completely.
K&N drop-in replacement High-Flow Air Filters™ typically require servicing once every 50,000 miles under normal highway driving conditions, and the larger filters included with K&N intake systems can go up to 100,000 miles before needing to be cleaned (under normal highway driving conditions).
Tip 2: Coat the air box: We recommend WD-40 or penetrating fluid, this makes it easy to wipe out as well as leaves a film to catch dust before it gets to the filter. Think, every bit of dust that doesn't make it to the filter means a cleaner filter…
The K&N oil is specially formulated for their filters. Any other oil will either clog it up or cause it to disintegrate over time. I have seen the results of my customers using everything from wd40, pb blast, 2 cycle oil and everything in between, and all results in ruining the filter.
Use your soft brush and scrub your shoes with a little dish soap and warm water.
Foam filters: Most circular foam filters can be cleaned with soap and water. Pleated paper or synthetic cartridges: These inexpensive filters are often not washable, but you can dust them off several times and reuse them before replacing them.
If you need a deeper clean, fill your sink with one part vinegar and one part warm water, then let your filter soak for an hour. If your HVAC filter is only mildly dirty, place the filter in a sink or bathtub and rinse thoroughly with warm running water.
Whether cruising down a clean street or bombing through a silty desert, air filters keep dust and other contaminants from being sucked through the intake and into the cylinders, leading to oil contamination, damage to the turbine wheels and bearings in forced-induction applications, or gouges in cylinder walls.
Mineral spirits will work well. Just wash it good with soap and water after, and let dry before oiling.
OIL THE FILTER. Air filter oil prevents water, mud, dust and sand from going into the engine by maintaining impurities on the air filter. A well-greased filter ensures more power and longer engine life!
However, you might already have a simple tool you can use to clean your K&N cabin air filter: Dawn dish detergent. If it's safe enough to bathe ducklings, it's certainly suitable for your air filters. Its concentrated formula removes grease, dirt, and grime, and it rinses clean away — unlike some detergents.
Apply 15 to 20 drops of the essential oils to the filter. Make sure you spread the drops out over the entire filter's surface. Install the filter — Finally, install the scented new filter and start your furnace.
'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.
When using an air filter oil squeeze bottle, apply K&N air filter oil evenly along the crown of each pleat. Allow the oil to wick for approximately 20 minutes, and then touch up any light areas on either side of filter until there is a uniform red color in all areas.