How to Properly Clean a Portable Air Conditioner

Portable air conditioners are a great way to efficiently cool your home or office. in addition to not needing any permanent installation, these portable cooling units can move from room to room, allowing you to spot cool different rooms with the same portable AC. Bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, garages, offices and warehouses are all great places to use a portable air conditioner.

One of the reasons that portable air conditioners are so popular is that they are easy to use. All you need is a power supply and a way to vent the unit, and you have all the cooling power you need at your disposal. Portable ACs are also very simple to maintain. Cleaning the unit is an easy task, and should be done on a regular basis to keep the unit running as efficiently and as effectively as possible during the warm summer months.

For the best cooling possible from your portable AC unit, you should clean the air filters on a bi-weekly or monthly basis, depending on use. Dirty air filters can hamper air flow and may even damage the unit. This can also cost you money as the unit must work harder and use more electricity to cool the air with a dirty filter. You should also be sure to clean the unit thoroughly both at the beginning and at the end of the season. This will ensure your portable air conditioner is running in the most efficient manner possible. 

Follow the steps below to properly clean your portable air conditioner:

1. Unplug the unit and drain the water tank.

During the cooling process, your portable air conditioner acts like a dehumidifier because it removes water from the air. Most of this water is used to cool the actual AC, however, this condensate must be removed. Basic portable ACs will collect condensate in buckets which need to be emptied, but more advanced room air conditioners have the ability to evaporate more of this moisture, therefore resulting in less or even no water to be emptied.

2. Run the portable AC on fan mode.

This will dry out the inside of the unit completely, which will prepare it for a more thoroughly cleaning. After about two hours, the inside should be completely dry. 

3. Remove the filter from the frame and remove loose dirt and dust particles.

The best way to do this is by tapping to the filter lightly with your hands or even on the side of a garbage can to easily collect the loose particles. If your portable air conditioner uses a carbon filter, remove that as well. Typically these filters should be replaced rather than cleaned, but follow the manufacturers directions regarding their maintenance.

4. Rinse the air filter thoroughly.

Run water over the filter to completely remove any dust and dirt. You can also immerse the filter in warm water and a mild detergent to ensure a thorough cleaning. Afterwards, dry the filter off and place it to the side until you're finished cleaning the rest of the portable AC unit.

5. Using a vacuum, clean out the air intake vents.

A handheld vacuum works great, as would a larger vacuum cleaner with a slender attachment to fit inside the portable air conditioning unit.

6. Spray an acidic solution directly onto the cooling coils.

You can pick up any sort of acidic cleaning solution found at your local grocery store. Allow the solution to settle for about 15 minutes, and then replace the air filter.

7. Wipe down the outside housing.

The outside of your portable air conditioner can get dirty over time, so be sure to wipe it down with a soft, damp cloth periodically. Do not use any strong chemicals when cleaning the outside of the portable AC, including detergents or chemically-treated cloths.

8. If the season is over, store the unit.

If it's the end of the summer and your portable air conditioner doesn't have a built-in heater option, or you don't plan to use it year-round, pack it up in the original packaging and store it for the season. Store the unit in a dry, cool place away from any direct sunlight or major source of heat.