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With the constantly rising temperature, the inclination to constantly rely on the air conditioner might grow stronger each day. However, it’s essential not to solely depend on this home appliance as it might result in higher electricity bills if you constantly turn it on. On top of that, your health might also get jeopardized if you constantly utilize air conditioners without stopping.

To uphold the air quality in your living space, it’s imperative to learn proper maintenance and cleaning techniques for your home air conditioner. Rather than spending money on professional services, you can also consider taking the initiative to clean it yourself. Not sure how to do that? Let’s explore how you can clean your air conditioner by yourself below!

Why Does the Air Conditioner Need to be Cleaned Regularly?

Before learning how to maintain the air conditioner by yourself, you first need to understand the ultimate reason why your air conditioner needs to be cleaned regularly.

The ultimate reason is that a clean air conditioner is not only useful to be able to maintain its function and performance but can also directly affect your health. If not maintained regularly and carefully, the air conditioner can become a nest of germs and dust which in turn can affect the cleanliness of your house.

When dirt and germs accumulate in the air conditioner, they can circulate back into the room. If your immune system is weakened at that time, you might become more vulnerable to various illnesses. These may include chronic coughing, nasal congestion, wheezing, and eye irritation.

Furthermore, allowing dust to build up in the air conditioner filter can also strain the system, leading to reduced efficiency. Consequently, the air conditioner may consume more electricity to operate optimally. Thus, it can result in higher electricity bills adding to your expenses.

How to Clean Air Conditioners at Home?

Before beginning, ensure that the air conditioner is switched off. Then, gather the essential tools for cleaning your air conditioner:

• Screwdriver

• Cleaning solution

• Used toothbrush or cloth rag or vacuum cleaner

For safety reasons, you should remember to wear a face mask and gloves before delving down into the cleaning. Once everything is prepared, follow the steps below to clean the air conditioner properly.

Step 1: Open the air conditioner cover

Gently open the air conditioner case or cover with a screwdriver. When the lid is open, you will immediately see the air conditioner filter. Make sure you check if there is damage or not in the filter section. If the filter looks torn, remove it immediately and replace it with a new filter. But if it still looks unharmed, but covered in the dirt you should go to the next steps that we have outlined below.

Step 2: Clean the filter

As mentioned above, if you observe no damage to the filter - you can proceed to clean the air conditioner filter. You can remove accumulated dust from the filter by using a used toothbrush, a soft brush, a lightly dampened cloth, or a vacuum cleaner.

Step 3: Removing the air conditioner filter

An alternative option to clean the filter is to remove it from the air conditioner, and then wash the filter by soaking it. When soaking the air conditioner filter, you should use a special washing solution, which can help to kill fungal spores as well as various other germs that are lodged in the filter.

Step 4: Rub the filter slowly

While soaking, you can also gently rub the air conditioner filter. Use a used toothbrush to clean the filter of stubborn dirt. Remember, make sure you don't rub it too hard to prevent damaging the air conditioner filter.

Step 5: Dry the filter

After cleaning the AC filter, the next step is to allow it to air dry for a while. Ensure you place the filter in a clean area to prevent dirt from adhering to it during the drying process.

Step 6: Clean the other parts of the air conditioner

In addition to filters, you also need to pay attention to other areas of the air conditioner. Use a dry washcloth to clean the area between the air conditioner to make sure all the air conditioner parts are completely clean of dirt.

Step 7: Return the filter to the air conditioner

After finishing rinsing and rubbing, the next step is to install the air conditioner filter in the original place. However, it is a must to make sure the filter is completely clean and dry before installing it back to its original position.

To wrap it off you can finish the cleaning process by testing the air conditioner and turning it on. If the air feels cold and fresh, it indicates that the cleaning process is complete and without a hitch.

But it's important to note that the DIY cleaning in this article only applies to the indoor unit of your air conditioner. For the outdoor units, it’s advisable to seek professional cleaning services for safety reasons. You can hire a professional air conditioner technician from https://www.luce.sg/services/aircon-servicing to ensure proper cleaning of your outdoor air conditioner unit. They will be able to thoroughly clean and maintain all parts of the air conditioner, ensuring it can work optimally at all times!