How to clean and disinfect air conditioners: tips and tricks
The heat is about to arrive and in order not to be caught unprepared it is advisable to check the proper functioning of our air conditioners. Although there are several methods to keep the house cool, such as open windows, shutters closed to filter the sun’s rays or curtains lowered, there is nothing like the air conditioner to give us immediate refreshment.
Just press a button and in an instant, we will have the right temperature. To get the most out of the appliance, fully enjoy the fresh air and have reduced bill costs, we need to pay some attention to it.
The maintenance does not entail excessive efforts and can be realized with the simple DIY. During spring or autumn cleaning, all we have to do is include the air conditioner on the to-do list. The appliance, in fact, must be cleaned at least twice a year, in the spring months, before turning it on for the summer and in October when we replace it with radiators.
Having the air conditioner clean means breathing clean air, especially when there are children in the house, the filter without encrustations will not only limit the proliferation of bacteria and dust, annoying for those with allergies, but will avoid blockages when it is in operation, extending its duration.
Let’s see some tips and tricks for cleaning the air conditioner and filter.
How to clean the air conditioner?
The first thing to do is to unplug the power supply, in order not to risk unpleasant accidents during the cleaning phases. Once the air conditioner has been secured, we just have to start.
Once the external cover of the best ac in India 1.5 ton has been removed, we must remove the dust. The fastest and most effective method is to use the vacuum cleaner. In a few minutes our air conditioner will be free from the dust that has accumulated over the months. To be safe and have a thorough cleaning, all you have to do is equip yourself with a microfiber cloth, a degreaser to remove dirt and grease and a good germicide and pass them on the inside of the air conditioner.
If you don’t like chemicals, you can use natural products such as vinegar, excellent against fat, or Tea Tree Oil, a natural solution that disinfects, deodorizes and respects the environment. Just dilute a few drops in water and vinegar and you will have your natural cleanser.
How to clean the filter?
Having cleaned the inside, we just have to devote ourselves to the filter, the part of the appliance that collects the most dirt and bacteria. If the conditioner is made up of activated carbon, we must remove the exhausted ones and wash those still good with warm water.
If the appliance has normal filters, we must disassemble them, being very careful not to break them. After having dusted them with a vacuum cleaner or a rag, to remove the excess dust, we must wash it.
Immerse the filter in warm water and neutral soap, once the surface dirt has been removed, it is best to disinfect and degrease it with suitable products.
For a green choice, chemical detergents can be replaced by water and wine vinegar or bicarbonate, both excellent degreasers and disinfectants.
After washing, all you have to do is let it dry in the open air away from the sun before putting it back in its place.
How to clean the vents?
For accurate work we have to waste some time for the outlet vents and the outside. We must clean the first with a cloth and products indicated. Once dry and shiny we can insert the filter gently so as not to break it.
As for the external part, also in this case before starting we must unplug the power supply. Once this is done, we must vacuum to remove pollen, dust and smog, at this point with a damp cloth soaked in chemical or natural detergents we clean and sanitize the air conditioner.
After cleaning, we can turn it on and test if everything works perfectly and if the air comes out evenly.
Conclusion
Periodically carrying out a thorough cleaning of the air conditioner is not only an important operation in terms of hygiene, but also for the efficiency of the system. In fact, a dirty air conditioner will work less and, consequently, the energy consumption will be higher to bring it to the desired temperatures and the possibility of malfunctions will be higher.