Exposure to mold in the home can cause serious health problems. One hidden place that mold can grow is within your air conditioner; with air constantly circulating through the unit into your home, mold spores are picked up and pushed into your living areas. Be watchful for signs that mold could be lurking in your AC, including a musty smell when the unit is running or visible mold on the exterior of the unit. If you notice these signs, the following steps will help you safely clean mold from your window air conditioner unit. Clean Mold from Your Window Air Conditioner: A Step By Step Guide Vacuum cleaner with attachments The following mold removal process should be performed in an area with good ventilation. Put on your safety gear (mask, eyewear, and gloves). Turn off the air conditioner and unplug the unit from its power source. Take off the front body grille of your unit. On most units, this can be done easily by pulling it forward and pushing down slightly.

If the grille is screwed in, use the screwdriver to remove the screws. Remove the filter that is located in the air conditioner’s front grille. (some of these filters are disposable, if – so, install a new one.) If your filter is washable, as most window unit’s filters are…place the filter in your sink and sprinkle it with laundry detergent. Fill the sink with enough hot water to cover the filter. Let the filter soak for 15 minutes. Next, use the scrub brush to clean both sides of the filter. Rinse out the filter with clean water and hang it to dry. Next, go back to your air conditioner unit and unscrew the metal cover located behind the front body grill and lift it directly upwards. Use the vacuum and attachments to clean out as much dirt and debris from the interior of the unit as possible. Wipe out any visible mold growth. In your bucket, mix a solution of ½ cup bleach, 1 tablespoon mild dish soap, and 3 gallons hot water. Using a cloth, brush, or sponge, soak up the solution and scrub the moldy areas of your air conditioner well.

Also clean the air conditioner front grille if that has mold on it. Allow the solution to sit on these surfaces for approximately 10 minutes, then rinse with water and a damp cloth. Let the unit, filter, grille, and metal cover dry completely. Reassemble the air conditioning unit and plug back into its power source. Click The Image Below To Download A One Page Printable PDF Guide for How To Clean Mold From Your Window Air ConditionerRound Champagne Wall Mirror We hope this step by step guide on how to clean mold from your window air conditioner was helpful! Tie Up Curtain ValanceFor more information about air conditioning systems and maintenance procedures, check out our Complete Guide to Air Conditioning here!Cast Iron Tub CaddyClean every surface of an air conditioner to eliminate black mold.

Air conditioner vents can be breeding grounds for black mold. Condensation forms in the coils and ducts as cool air circulates through the system, creating a habitat for moisture-loving mold. Black mold can cause severe respiratory symptoms, particularly in people who are allergic to mold. After you clean your air conditioner vents, inspect walls and insulation to find the source of the black mold infestation. Wear long sleeves and pants and put on a high-efficiency dust mask to protect yourself from black mold spores. Make sure all household members with mold allergies or respiratory problems are out of the house before you begin to clean the air conditioner vents. Remove the vent cover of a window air conditioner by unscrewing the screws with a screwdriver or pressing in on pressure clips. Place the vent cover in a basin or tub, sprinkle with laundry detergent and add enough water to cover the vent cover. After 15 minutes, rinse and allow the filter and vent cover to air-dry. Remove dust from the inside of the air conditioner, as the dust in the moist environment allows mold to thrive.

Spray the blades and duct opening with water to prevent dry mold from escaping into the air. Wipe the blades and duct opening as thoroughly as possible with soapy water. Mold spores are microscopic and not visible to the naked eye, so clean surfaces even if you do not see mold. Combine 1 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water. Wipe the blades, duct opening and the inside of the vent with a long, flexible mop soaked in the bleach solution. Allow the inside of the vent to dry thoroughly before reattaching the vent cover. Black mold can grow in any remaining moisture. Discard mold-infested materials in heavy-duty plastic bags. Take the bags outdoors through a window or door in the room in which you just cleaned to avoid contaminating other areas of the house. Open the windows to create ventilation after you finish cleaning the vents. : Duct CleaningCalifornia Department of Public Health: Mold in My Home — What Do I Do? While a clean air conditioner may help to clear airborne allergens from a room or home, air conditioners themselves can negatively impact those who suffer from atopic allergies.

Due to the moist, warm conditions, the inside of an air conditioner is a prime breeding ground for mold and other bacteria. Follow these appliance tips for cleaning mold from your air conditioner, and keep the air in your home clean and free of allergens. Mold spores float through the air in even the most sanitary environments. However, these spores must find favorable conditions in order to attach and reproduce. Most allergy sufferers who are susceptible to mold experience particularly strong reactions in areas with actively growing mold spores. Air conditioners, if kept unclean, may serve as suitable breeding areas for mold spores. As the condenser in an air conditioner cools the air, it draws moisture from the atmosphere. While this effectively controls humidity in a room, it also creates an especially damp local environment for mold. Cleaning mold from your air conditioner is a simple process. However, it requires some special supplies. Before you begin cleaning your air conditioner, gather a vacuum cleaner, a long brush, de-greasing cleaner and cloths or rags.

You will also need a container for waste.  Follow these steps to clean the mold from your conditioner: Using a screwdriver, remove the front plate filter from the air conditioner system. You may wish to clean the filter with dish or laundry detergent and water. Simply allow the filter to soak in a small pan of diluted detergent. Having removed the filter from the front of the plate on the air conditioner, proceed by removing the grill plate itself. Continue by removing any other metal coverings, exposing the inside of the central air conditioner. Using your brush and rags, clean the dust from the inside of the air conditioner system. Ensure that you remove dirt from every crevice inside of the system. Be careful not to break the delicate pieces inside of the air conditioner. Continue by de-greasing the inside of the air conditioner. Allow the de-greaser to stand for 15 to 20 minutes before gently washing the inner pieces with warm water. Ensure that water does not come in contact with any of the electrical workings.