Whether your home is cooled by a central air conditioning system or you have window units placed throughout, air conditioners — like humidifiers, refrigerators and vacuum cleaners — need routine cleaning and maintenance to last through years of use and keep you and your family cool and comfortable all summer long. Dust and dirt that build up on the filters and internal parts cause these important home comfort appliances to work harder and less efficiently, making them more likely to break down. Plus, who wants dust and allergens spewing back into the air your family breathes?
According to Dan DiClerico, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab, “Seasonal top-to-bottom maintenance check-ups of a home’s central air conditioning condenser, coolants, ductwork and more are best left to professional services, but there are things you can do yourself to help keep your unit — whether window or central — pumping out cool, dry air all season.”
Note: Before attempting to clean any air conditioner, check your model’s owner’s manual or the company’s website for cleaning recommendations and precautions to keep from voiding the manufacturer’s warranty on your unit.
How to clean a central air conditioner
We checked the cleaning and maintenance recommendations of Carrier, a major manufacturer of central air conditioning systems. They suggest these cleaning steps to keep the exterior and interior parts of your home’s central air conditioning humming.
How to clean the outdoor condenser and compressor
It’s best to tackle this cleaning job at the very start of the season and then just clean away debris whenever you see it, such as after a storm.
- Cut back any shrubs or plants from around the unit that may be blocking the airflow. Two feet of clearance will allow air to circulate freely, giving the unit room to breathe.
- Sweep away any loose debris that’s accumulated around the base. Remove leaves, twigs or anything stuck in the grille slats with a shop vacuum, utility vacuum or brush.
- Turn off the circuit breaker and unplug the unit before undertaking any wet cleaning steps. Wash away dried, stuck-on dirt from the sides and top grilles with a brush dipped in a sudsy water solution.
- With a garden hose held at a 45-degree angle, rinse away the detergent from the outside and, without removing the outer grille, flush as much dirt as you can from the interior coils too. Note: Never use a power washer to clean the coils. The strong force can damage them.
- Some sites recommend removing the outer grille to better clean the coils and straighten any bent fins. We think this is best left to a professional.
How to clean interior vents and filters
Make cleaning interior vent covers and swapping out filters part of your regular cleaning routine.
- Vacuum the slats of wall, ceiling and floor registers where the cool air blows into a room with your vacuum’s soft dusting brush tool.
- Check and replace the return-air vent filter (where the air from your house goes back out to be cooled) every three months or so, depending on your home and family needs. Active homes with pets or allergy-sufferers should replace it every month or two. Homes where the air conditioning isn’t constantly running or where heavier filters are installed can go longer, maybe even up to a year, between replacements.
How to clean a window air conditioner
Always give window units a cleaning before installing them in the spring and again before storing them for the winter. Then, follow these steps mid-season as needed.
- Regularly vacuum the front grilles, body and control panel with a soft dusting brush tool to remove loose dirt. If needed, wipe areas clean with a slightly damp cloth.
- Check the foam filter monthly. If needed, vacuum it on low suction with the upholstery tool to remove dirt, lint and hair.
- If the foam filter is very dirty, dip it in warm, sudsy water to clean it and then rinse well. Allow it to air dry thoroughly before placing it back into the air conditioner.
- If your unit has a remote control, clean it regularly with a moist — not wet — cloth or disinfecting wipe. Remove the batteries before doing so and make sure no moisture works its way inside.
- This is also a good time to inspect the seals around the unit to make sure cold air isn’t escaping. Any leaks should be sealed with weatherstripping.
The takeaway
In short, all air conditioners need regular maintenance and cleaning to work their best. Each spring and once or so mid-season, clear away exterior debris, vacuum or wash dirt from vents and grilles and change or wash filters as the unit’s manufacturer recommends. For more in-depth maintenance of central air conditioning systems or if anything malfunctions, it’s best to call a professional.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
