How to clean a window air conditioner
To clean a window air conditioner, unplug it first. Slide out the filter, vacuum it, wash it in warm soapy water, and let it dry completely. Vacuum the front coils gently with a soft brush tool, spray a no-rinse coil cleaner by its label, and straighten bent fins with a fin comb. Wipe the front panel, let everything dry, and put the filter back before you plug it in.
A clean filter once a month helps a window unit keep cooling and smelling right.
What do you need?
- A vacuum with a soft brush attachment
- Warm water and a little dish soap
- A no-rinse coil cleaner made for air conditioners
- A fin comb
- Microfiber cloths
- A screwdriver, if the front panel screws on
Check the maker's manual first. It says what you can take apart and what you can't.
How do you clean the filter?
- Unplug the unit.
- Slide out the filter from the front panel.
- Vacuum off the loose dust.
- Wash it in warm water with a little dish soap, then rinse.
- Air dry it completely, out of direct sun.
- Slide it back in before you plug the unit in. Never run it without the filter.
How do you clean the coils and fins?
- Unplug the unit. Take off the front panel if the manual says you can.
- Vacuum the front coils gently with the soft brush, along the fins, not across them.
- Spray a no-rinse coil cleaner on the coils, following its label. Let it work and drip into the pan.
- Straighten bent fins with a fin comb. Bent fins block airflow.
- Wipe the panel and vents with a damp microfiber cloth.
- Let it dry before you put the panel back and plug it in.
The back coils, outside the window, are harder to reach. Do them when the unit comes out for the season, with the unit on a flat surface outdoors, and follow the manual.
What about mold and smells?
A musty smell usually means mold on the coils or in the drain pan. Clean what you can reach. If you see mold inside the unit or the smell stays, follow the maker's manual or call an appliance technician.
How do you store it for winter?
Clean the filter and coils, let the unit dry completely, and store it upright, covered, in a dry spot. If it stays in the window, use a fitted outdoor cover and seal the gaps around it. Our seasonal living room checklist has the rest of the changeover, and our window sills guide covers the sill it sits on.
Want a cleaning booked?
The AC unit is yours. For the rest of the house, book House Cleaning online and put your priorities in your booking notes.
FAQ
How often should you clean a window AC filter? Check it every two weeks while the unit is running and wash it at least once a month, more often with pets or on a dusty street. A clogged filter makes the unit work harder and cool less.
Why does my window air conditioner smell musty? Usually mold or mildew growing on the damp coils or in the drain pan inside. Clean the filter and the coils you can reach. If the smell stays, or you see mold inside the unit, follow the maker's manual or call an appliance technician.
Can you hose down a window air conditioner? Not while it's in the window and not without the maker's say-so. Water on the controls can damage the unit. Use a coil cleaner and a spray bottle on the coils, unplugged, and let it dry fully before turning it on.
Book a cleaning
Our service area: every Philadelphia neighborhood, plus the Pennsylvania suburbs within about 30 miles of Center City, in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties. Book online at phillyscleanteam.com/book-now, or call or text (215) 798-7576, 9 AM to 9 PM, every day.
