How To Clean Your Air Conditioners in the Spring

Step 1: Turn off the Power

Step 2: Remove the Front Cover and Clean It

The front cover of your window-type air conditioner protects your appliance’s internal mechanism. It tends to gather a fair amount of dust, especially in the vents.

Remove the front cover for cleaning. Extract it carefully by unfastening any tabs, knobs, latches, or screws that may be keeping it attached to your unit. You can also go through your owner’s manual to ensure that you’re removing it the right way.

To wash away the dirt, any mild cleaning solution will do. A popular and convenient choice among homeowners is a mixture of dishwashing soap and water.



To reach more inaccessible areas that aren’t too heavily soiled, you can also try vacuuming the cover and other parts.

Step 3: Clean Your Air Filter

When learning how to clean your air conditioners, you’ll notice that one of the dirtiest parts will always be the air filter. You can rid it of dust with the same soapy mixture that you used for the cover. If it’s really dirty, consider replacing it with a new one.

Pro Tip: Because the air filter gathers dirt more quickly, you need to clean it every few months. The more you use your unit, the more often you’ll need to clean your air filter. Dirty filters can make your unit function less efficiently. When neglected for too long, they can even cause your appliance to break down.



According to the US Department of Energy, a clean filter can lessen your AC’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%.

Step 4: Clean the Condenser Coil

The condenser coil is the component responsible for removing the hot air from your home. Most window-type air conditioners have two coils: one towards the front of the unit and another set at the back.

Once you locate your condenser coils, use a soft brush, cloth, or fin comb to wipe away most of the debris. Any residual dirt can be removed by spraying and wiping with mildly soapy water.



While you’re outside tending to the external condenser, take note of the area around it to check for possible sources of dirt and debris. Clean the area around it as well and make sure that plants are at least 2 feet away to enable sufficient airflow.

Re-attach the front cover once all parts of your unit are dry. Then, plug it back in and you should be good to go for the next several months to a year.