Hi guys,
We have two of those box-style air conditioners which we've had for probably close to 20yrs. To my knowledge, they've never been cleaned :S… so I'm going to clean them. I'm wondering what chemicals you guys have used successfully? I did a Google search, much of it seems to be the foam spray. Sydney Tools has a CRC foam spray, though not sure how effective it is.
Has anyone here cleaned them? What did you use?
Do you know if it'll be ok to use Vinegar or Bleach?
I know you're being a smart arse. But if you used liquid in di-hydrogen monoxide form would highly unlikely short electrics.
Haha yes, we have plenty of 'di-hydrogen monoxide'. So much, that I literally bathe in the stuff :p.
But on a serious note. I've found that cleaning with water alone usually doesn't remove a lot of the 'stuck' dirt/mould unless you use a pressure washer, which could end badly for the fins.
Any aluminium-safe cleaners to you? Being unclean for 20yrs its certainly got something to remove.
I used water at high pressure to dislodge and rinse out most of the built up dirt/dust. Then I used regular dish soap (I squirted it all over and gave it a quick spray of water to spread it), a cloth and old toothbrush. Rinsed it all out with high pressure water again. I finished up with a 50-50 mix of white vinegar and water and sprayed a fine mist over the polysturene and plastic parts of the air exhaust/intake. I also sprayed the dilute vinegar into the interior radiator fins and rinsed after a couple of minutes.
By high pressure I just mean with a regular garden hose attachment, not a gerni.
Tape some plastic over the electronics and/or be careful not to get them too wet. The temperature sensor can be unhooked from the front and moved out of the way.
I completed this process last spring on a sunny day. It eliminated any odours coming from the unit and the vinegar-water mix kills any mold and bacteria. I didn't have to but I would start out with the vinegar-water spray before even giving it a first rinse if you can see any mold.
Thanks tenpercent, I'll give some dish-sap & vinegar a try & see how that goes :).
If it's not too dirty you might get away with just using some di-hydrogen monoxide. You've likely got some lying around at home. Just don't overdo it or you'll short out the electrics.