What's the easiest way to clean the caked on dust on a window unit a/c without damaging the fins?

Answer 1

Compressed air, waterhose or a fin comb. The air makes dust blow through the area so make sure where you want to do this at. Waterhose, well, water everywhere. Fin comb, you need to buy one. Of the water or air, when you are through blowing it out, it's ready to start working right then.

Answer 2

The best way is to use a misture of Lestoil and water about one cup to a half pail and then take a Scucci hand held steamer and clean the fins. Applying the Lestoil/water mixture and steam cleaning down the fins. You can buy a Scucci hand held steamer at Walmart.

You can also clean the evaporator fins which are behind the filter using this same technique.

This is published in the maintenance manual of Carrier AC service and repair.

Answer 3

I don't do this for a living, but I've cleaned several units that I've owned with a regular wire brush. Use up and down strokes, slow and careful, with the slots inbetween the fins. If you do it this way, the wires won't damage the fins, but will loosen or remove the gunk on the fins themselves. Sometimes it helps to spray the fins with a solution of water and dish soap to help soften the dried on material. Then use a hose or another spray bottle with plain water to dose the area to rinse.

Answer 4

Do not take a brush, air, or pressure washer to your coils. There is the possibility of damage as these are fragile and easily bent.

What you need is a product made for this purpose. It is called coil cleaner. It is sprayed on with a garden sprayer, and flushed out with a garden hose at low pressure. This is what an air conditioning technician would do if you call him.

Below is a link for one product, but any brand name will do. I do know that Ace Hardware carrys it. I am sure you can find a similar product locally if you look.

Answer 5

The way I do it is with the "brush" attachment on my vacuum cleaner. It does not damage the coils one bit. Plus, the dust and dirt are sucked away all nice and tidy in your vacuum cleaner. You don't need to use water or any other chemical! I use this method on all our window units, and they have lasted for years! This trick can also be used on dehumidifiers and the backs of refrigerators.

Answer 6

They sell fin combs, but you can just spray them with a hose or use a pressure washer if you have one. If you want you can take it apart and take it to the car wash and clean the fins.