You’ve likely used your air conditioner throughout the summer in order to combat the hot and sticky weather. But your window A/C unit could also be a dangerous spot for mold to grow, potentially putting you and your family at risk. Luckily, there are preventative measures you can take before mold forms. You can even remove the mold yourself if you discover any spores in your unit.
Signs There Is Mold In Your Unit
Aside from seeing mold for yourself, you may also notice a musty smell coming from your A/C. Search your unit if you or anyone in your household starts experiencing symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, a scratchy throat, etc. The mold itself may grow after the unit goes unused for a period of time due to a potential buildup of dust. Mold may also appear after equipment breaks, the filter gets too dirty, or after the unit is exposed to moisture.
How To Remove Mold From Your Unit
Before you start cleaning the mold, you should attempt to limit your exposure by wearing protective clothing like a mask, glasses, and gloves. To begin the cleaning process, unplug the unit and take it outside to prevent any molecules from the mold or cleaners from circulating inside.
To start cleaning your unit, disassemble the front grille and remove the reusable filter so it can be cleaned. Simply spray the filter with a mold cleaner and let it soak in warm water combined with dish soap. After 15 minutes, take a scrub brush to clean the filter. Once that’s done, rinse it with water and let it dry out. If you happen to have a non-reusable filter, you will need to buy a new one.
Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned the filter, turn your attention to the rest of the unit. Unscrew the cover behind the body grille and lift it up so you can vacuum out any dust or other debris that may be located inside. Spray mold cleaner and let it sit for about 15 minutes before wiping it down with a sponge or cloth.
After all of the parts have dried, simply put the air conditioner back together and place it back in the window.
You’ve likely used your air conditioner throughout the summer in order to combat the hot and sticky weather. But your window A/C unit could also be a dangerous spot for mold to grow, potentially putting you and your family at risk. Luckily, there are preventative measures you can take before mold forms. You can even remove the mold yourself if you discover any spores in your unit.
Signs There Is Mold In Your Unit
Aside from seeing mold for yourself, you may also notice a musty smell coming from your A/C. Search your unit if you or anyone in your household starts experiencing symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, a scratchy throat, etc. The mold itself may grow after the unit goes unused for a period of time due to a potential buildup of dust. Mold may also appear after equipment breaks, the filter gets too dirty, or after the unit is exposed to moisture.
How To Remove Mold From Your Unit
Before you start cleaning the mold, you should attempt to limit your exposure by wearing protective clothing like a mask, glasses, and gloves. To begin the cleaning process, unplug the unit and take it outside to prevent any molecules from the mold or cleaners from circulating inside.
To start cleaning your unit, disassemble the front grille and remove the reusable filter so it can be cleaned. Simply spray the filter with a mold cleaner and let it soak in warm water combined with dish soap. After 15 minutes, take a scrub brush to clean the filter. Once that’s done, rinse it with water and let it dry out. If you happen to have a non-reusable filter, you will need to buy a new one.
Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned the filter, turn your attention to the rest of the unit. Unscrew the cover behind the body grille and lift it up so you can vacuum out any dust or other debris that may be located inside. Spray mold cleaner and let it sit for about 15 minutes before wiping it down with a sponge or cloth.
After all of the parts have dried, simply put the air conditioner back together and place it back in the window.
Prevention
If you want to prevent mold growth inside your window A/C, you could buy one with humidity control, which makes it very difficult for mold to grow. Additionally, you can clean parts of your unit and inspect it to make sure there are no signs of mold growth. If you have a problem with mold growth in your home, contact the professionals at Mold Medics to handle the job for you.