Aircon is one of the most important appliances in our homes, so it’s important to keep it clean. In this article, we’ll show you how to clean your aircon unit so that it continues to work properly and efficiently.
Benefits of Regular Aircon Cleaning
Regular aircon cleaning offers significant advantages that go beyond just keeping your unit looking good.
Here are the key benefits you’ll enjoy:
Lower Electricity Bills: Clean filters and coils improve cooling efficiency, reducing your electricity bills by up to 15%. When your aircon doesn’t work as hard, it consumes less energy.
Extended Aircon Lifespan: Regular maintenance reduces strain on components, potentially extending your unit’s lifespan by 3-5 years. This saves you from expensive repairs or early replacement.
Better Air Quality and Health: Clean aircons remove dust, allergens, and mold spores that trigger asthma and allergies. This is especially important in Singapore’s humid climate where bacteria thrive.
Improved Cooling Performance: Clean aircons cool rooms faster and maintain consistent temperatures. You’ll notice stronger airflow without constantly adjusting the thermostat.
Elimination of Bad Odors: Regular cleaning removes musty smells from mold growth in filters and drain pans. Your room stays fresh and pleasant.
How Often Should Aircon be Cleaned
The frequency of cleaning your aircon unit will depend on how often it’s used. If you live in an area with high humidity, or if you have pets, you may need to clean your unit more frequently. As a general rule of thumb, most units should be cleaned every few months.
You can clean the aircon by yourself or hire a professional aircon servicing company. If you do it by yourself, make sure to do it in a safe and proper way. Hiring a professional aircon specialist will allow your aircon to be cleaned by a specialised equipment.
Basic Things to Consider While Aircon Cleaning
Before you start cleaning your aircon, there are several important factors to keep in mind to ensure safe and effective maintenance. Proper preparation and awareness of what you can and cannot do yourself will help you avoid damage to your unit and potential safety hazards.
Safety First – Turn Off Power: Always switch off the power at the circuit breaker before cleaning, not just the remote control. This prevents electric shock and protects you from injury.
Know Your Limits – DIY vs. Professional: Understand which tasks are safe for DIY (filters, front panel) and which require professionals (internal components, refrigerant, electrical parts). Don’t attempt deep cleaning without proper knowledge.
Use the Right Tools and Products: Avoid harsh chemicals that can damage plastic parts or coils. Use mild detergent, soft brushes, and avoid high-pressure water that can bend delicate coil fins.
Let Everything Dry Completely: Never reassemble your aircon with wet parts as this promotes mold growth. Allow at least 30-60 minutes for all components to air dry completely before switching it back on.
Clean Regularly, Not Just When Problems Arise: Filters should be cleaned every 2-4 weeks in Singapore’s climate. Waiting until your aircon shows problems means damage may already be done and efficiency has suffered.
Methods of Cleaning Aircon
There are several methods for cleaning your air conditioner, each suited for different situations and levels of dirt accumulation. Understanding these methods helps you choose the right cleaning approach based on your aircon’s condition.
1. DIY Basic Cleaning
Best for: Monthly maintenance and light dirt buildup
Steps:
- Turn off power at the circuit breaker
- Open the front panel and remove the air filter
- Vacuum the filter to remove loose dust
- Wash the filter with mild detergent and water
- Let the filter air dry completely (30-60 minutes)
- Wipe down the front panel and exterior with a damp cloth
- Clean the air vents and louvers
- Reinstall the dry filter and close the panel
- Turn the power back on and test
2. General Aircon Servicing
Best for: Regular maintenance every 3-4 months
What technicians do:
- Inspect overall aircon condition
- Remove and thoroughly clean air filters
- Vacuum and wipe accessible parts
- Clean evaporator coils with spray cleaner
- Check and clean the blower fan
- Clear the drain pipe and pan
- Check refrigerant pressure levels
- Test thermostat functionality
- Inspect electrical connections
- Test cooling performance
3. Steam Cleaning
Best for: Sanitizing and removing bacteria without chemicals
Steps involved:
- Dismantle front panel and accessible components
- Use high-temperature steam to kill bacteria and mold
- Steam clean evaporator coils and blower
- Sanitize drain pan and pipes
- Eliminate odors naturally without harsh chemicals
- Reassemble and test the unit
4. Chemical Wash (Deep Cleaning)
Best for: Heavily soiled aircons or annual deep cleaning
Process:
- Completely dismantle the indoor unit
- Remove evaporator coils, blower wheel, and drain tray
- Soak components in specialized chemical solution
- Scrub away stubborn dirt, mold, and grime
- Chemically clean outdoor condenser coils
- Flush drain pipes to remove blockages
- Rinse all parts thoroughly with water
- Dry components completely
- Reassemble the entire unit
- Test for proper operation and cooling
5. Aircon Overhaul
Best for: Severe problems or aircons not serviced in 2+ years
Comprehensive steps:
- Full dismantling of both indoor and outdoor units
- Chemical wash of all components
- Replace worn parts (bearings, capacitors if needed)
- Lubricate moving parts
- Check and repair refrigerant leaks
- Top up refrigerant if necessary
- Clean and straighten coil fins
- Deep clean drainage system
- Inspect and tighten all electrical connections
- Reassemble with new insulation tape
- Full system testing and performance check
Choosing the Right Method:
- Monthly: DIY basic cleaning
- Every 3-4 months: General servicing
- Every 6 months (high usage): Steam cleaning or general servicing
- Annually: Chemical wash
- Every 2-3 years or when major issues arise: Overhaul
How to Clean Aircon
Here’s your guide on how to clean aircon:
Cleaning the Front Panel
Start by cleaning the front panel of your aircon unit. You can do this with a damp cloth and some mild detergent. Be sure to wipe down the control panel and all other surfaces.
Cleaning the Filter
Next, you’ll need to clean the filter. Most filters can be removed and washed with soap and water. However, if yours is not removable, you can vacuum or brush it off with a soft brush. Just be careful when cleaning so as to prevent any accidents.
Cleaning the Coils
The coils are one of the most important parts of your aircon unit, so it’s important to keep them clean. You can clean the coils with a specialised coil cleaner, or you can use a mixture of vinegar and water to ensure a thorough clean.
Cleaning the Fan
The fan is another important part of your aircon unit. You’ll need to clean it on a regular basis to prevent it from becoming clogged with dirt and debris. To clean the fan, you can use a soft brush or a vacuum attachment.
Cleaning Aircon Blower
The blower is the part of your aircon unit that blows air into the room. Similar to when cleaning the fan, You can clean it with a soft brush or a vacuum attachment. Cleaning the aircon blower is very important because if it is not clean, the air that comes out of your unit will be dirty.
Aircon Freon
Freon is a gas that helps to cool the air in your unit. After some time, freon will escape from your aircon unit. You’ll need to recharge your unit with a new freon every few years. Checking freon should be part of your aircon regular maintenance.
When Should I Refill the Aircon Freon?
You’ll need to recharge your unit with a new freon every few years. You can contact an aircon servicing company to do it for you. They will likely use specialised equipment to recharge your unit, which may be more effective than doing it yourself.
DIY Aircon Maintenance Tools and Supplies
Having the right tools and supplies makes DIY aircon cleaning safer, easier, and more effective. Here’s everything you’ll need for basic home maintenance.
Essential Cleaning Tools
Vacuum Cleaner with Attachments: A vacuum with a brush attachment removes dust from filters, coils, and vents without damaging delicate components.
Soft Brushes: Use soft-bristled brushes (like old toothbrushes) to gently clean coil fins and hard-to-reach areas. Avoid stiff brushes that can bend fins.
Microfiber Cloths: Lint-free cloths are perfect for wiping panels and surfaces without scratching. Keep several on hand for both wet and dry cleaning.
Spray Bottle: A spray bottle applies cleaning solutions evenly without over-saturating components.
Screwdriver Set: Basic Phillips and flathead screwdrivers help access filters or panels on some aircon models.
Stepladder: A sturdy stepladder helps you safely reach wall-mounted units.
Cleaning Solutions
Mild Liquid Detergent: Regular dish soap works perfectly for washing filters and wiping surfaces. Avoid harsh chemicals that damage plastic parts.
White Vinegar: Mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water for a natural cleaning solution that kills bacteria and eliminates odors.
Coil Cleaner Spray: Specialized aircon coil cleaner dissolves dirt on evaporator coils. Look for no-rinse formulas safe for home use.
Antibacterial Spray: Use aircon-specific antibacterial spray to sanitize components and prevent mold growth in Singapore’s humid climate.
Safety Equipment
Protective Gloves: Rubber gloves protect your hands from cleaning chemicals and dirt while providing better grip.
Face Mask: A dust mask protects you from inhaling dust, mold spores, and allergens when cleaning.
Safety Goggles (Optional): Goggles protect your eyes from drips and splashes when using chemical cleaners.
Additional Helpful Supplies
Plastic Sheet or Towels: Place these under your aircon to catch dripping water and prevent floor damage.
Bucket or Basin: Use a large basin to soak and wash filters completely.
Fin Comb: (Optional) This tool straightens bent coil fins to maintain airflow efficiency.
Flashlight: Good lighting helps you see inside the unit and spot dirt buildup in dark areas.
What NOT to Use
❌ High-Pressure Washers – Can bend coil fins and force water into electrical components
❌ Harsh Chemicals – Bleach or ammonia corrode metal parts and damage plastic
❌ Abrasive Scrubbers – Steel wool or rough sponges scratch surfaces and damage fins
❌ Excessive Water – Never soak electrical components or spray water on the control panel
Storage Tips
Keep all your aircon cleaning supplies together in a dedicated container for easy access. Replace worn brushes and cloths regularly, label spray bottles clearly if mixing solutions, and store chemicals safely away from children and pets.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your aircon unit on a regular basis is important for its efficiency and longevity. Be sure to follow the tips above to keep your unit in good condition. If you have any questions, you can reach out to a professional aircon servicing company and they will be able to help you with any problems on your aircon is facing.
About Helpling
Helpling is a super app for household services. As a home service company, we work with, and train cleaning professionals to provide a wide range of services such as home cleaning service, aircon service, carpet cleaning, and mattress cleaning.
Beyond that, we also provide solutions for other household needs such as handyman, plumbing, and gardening service, all of which can be seamlessly and efficiently booked through our app or, for existing customers, via their personal Home Advisors.
Helpling’s professional cleaners are top-rated, thoughtful and thorough which give you the confidence and assurance you need so that you can focus on your priorities.
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