How to Kill Allergens Such as Mold in an Air Conditioner

Remove harmful mold allergens from an air conditioning unit.

Air conditioners can be lifesavers during the hot, sticky summer months. Unfortunately for allergy sufferers, air conditioners also can be hotbeds of mold production. Mold forms when dust in the air conditioner becomes wet from condensation produced by the air conditioner. Proper cleaning and maintenance of an air conditioner can help improve the efficiency of the unit and ensure that all the home's occupants are able to breathe clean, mold-free air.

Things You'll Need

• Sink
• Water
• Liquid laundry soap
• Towel
• Small screwdriver
• Screwdriver
• SAE 30 motor oil
• Scrub brush
• Kitchen and bathroom cleaner
• Rags
• Vacuum
• Bucket

Instructions

1. Unplug the air conditioning unit. Open the front of the unit and remove the filter. This filter will be either disposable or one that will require cleaning. If the unit features a disposable filter, replace the filter with a new one. If the filter is not replaceable, place it in a sink that has been filled with warm water and a few ounces of liquid laundry soap. Remove the filter, rinse it thoroughly with warm water, and lay in flat on a towel to dry.

2. Carefully pull the front grille of the air conditioner from the rest of the unit. Most grilles are attached by two clips and can be removed by pulling forward and gently pushing down on the grille at the same time. If this does not remove the grille, inspect the unit for small screws that may be holding the grille to the unit. Remove the screws with a screwdriver and pull off the grille.

3. Loosen the screws to the metal cover that is attached to the back of the air conditioner. Remove the cover and place it aside.

4. Remove the rubber covers from the fan motor's oil hole or plug, if they are present, by pulling each off. Place three to four drops of SAE 30 motor oil onto each side of the fan motor. Replace the rubber covers.

5. Remove any dust and grit from the evaporator with a scrub brush. The evaporator will be at the front of the unit.

6. Spray the evaporator with a kitchen and bathroom cleaner. Allow the cleaner to sit for 15 minutes.

7. Place a clean rag over the fan motor and carefully remove the sprayed-on cleaner from the evaporator by pouring one cup of warm water over it. Allow the evaporator to air-dry, then remove the rag from the fan motor.

8. Repeat the cleaning process used for the evaporator on the condenser, which is generally found on the back of the unit. Remove any plastic covering from the condenser by lifting it off, if one is found on the unit.

9. Carefully remove any dirt or grit from the fan blades by wiping them with a soft cloth, taking care to not bend the blades.

10. Vacuum any dust or dirt from the entire unit, including the grille cover and the metal covering that were set aside earlier.

11. Remove the base of the unit over a bucket to drain out any remaining water.

Tips & Warnings

• Cover the unit with a plastic sheet or an old blanket when not in use to cut out any collection of dust.

References

• Allergy: How to Clean an Air Conditioner and Remove Mold