If you have an air conditioner that has been reigning on the wall of your home for several years, but you have never had it "generalized", you better think before turning it on again. As the old saying goes, dust is the best thermal insulator, so it's no wonder your air conditioner works more like an outdated wood stove than a modern cooling system. Cleaning the air conditioner is actually quite simple!
Trick air conditioning cleaning?! Layers of dust and the smell of old tobacco smoke can quickly turn your home into a steam room with the smell of an abandoned buffet. Fortunately, in most well-stocked stores, you can find miracle sprays that promise to clean your air conditioner of all bacteria and fungus, while also making it smell nice. Of course, if you follow the instructions as precisely as if you were assembling furniture from Ikea - only without the extra screws at the end.
For those more adventurous souls, who are not afraid of a little manual work: the inside of the air conditioner is covered by filters that need to be changed or cleaned regularly. The outer plastic and other parts that are easily accessible can be gently washed with lukewarm water and a cleaning agent - even with the dishwashing detergent that you always have on hand anyway.
Photo: envato elementsHow to clean properly?
- Shutdown and Security: Before cleaning the air conditioner, always turn it off and disconnect it from the mains, because we don't want your cleaning operation to turn into sparks and crackling.
- Dismantling: Remove the cover and the filters, which probably look like they survived the war, peek out. Clean every three months if you are a frequent user, or more often if you share a home with pets.
- Washing: First remove all large particles, then wash the filters. You can just use water, but if you're really into cleanliness, add a little disinfectant.
- Drying: After the filter is clean, dry it thoroughly. It is important that it is completely dry before you put it back, unless you want to grow your own mold culture.
- Assembling: When everything is clean and dry, put the air conditioner back together. Watch out for those plastic buckles – they're more fragile than your last diet vow.
Homemade air conditioner filter disinfectant that will smell like fresh spring
For all of you who like to play with natural ingredients in your role as a cleaning master, I have a recipe for a homemade disinfectant that will make your filter not only clean, but also fragrant. We will use ingredients commonly found in the kitchen, namely vinegar and baking soda, which are known for their cleaning effects and ability to remove unpleasant odors.
Ingridients:
- 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
- 10 drops of essential oil of your choice (e.g. lavender, lemon, eucalyptus)
Instructions:
Mixing the ingredients: Mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and is great at removing bacteria and mold, while water will dilute the mixture so it's not too strong.
Adding baking soda: Add the baking soda slowly, as it will fizz when it comes in contact with the vinegar. Baking soda not only helps with cleaning, but also neutralizes unpleasant odors.
Flavoring: To make your air conditioner smell nice after cleaning, add essential oil. Lavender is great for a relaxing environment, lemon for freshness, and eucalyptus will give the room a sense of cleanliness and openness.
Usage: Shake the solution well and apply to the filter. Make sure to wet the filter evenly with the disinfectant, but not excessively.
Drying: Allow the filter to air dry thoroughly, preferably outside or in a well-ventilated area.
This natural solution not only cleans and disinfects effectively, but also leaves behind a pleasant scent that will refresh your home every time you run the air conditioner. Plus, it's friendly to the environment and your wallet!
And voilà, your air conditioner is ready for the new season without the fear of letting you down in the middle of summer. Cleaning your air conditioner may not be the most glamorous job, but hey, at least you'll burn some calories!
