How to Safely Remove Mold From Your Air Conditioner

While our air conditioning system works hard to remove humidity in the summer months, that damp air builds up over time and—combined with dust and debris—begins to accumulate and can easily create mold. Mold is an air quality nightmare, and exposure to mold can cause serious health problems for you and your family.

Be mindful of the signs that mold may be growing in your A/C unit:  a musty smell when your unit is running or visible mold on the outside of your unit.

1. Create Your Cleaning Solution

Fortunately, this process only requires some common household cleaning supplies:  combine two cups of water, a cup of bleach, and four drops of liquid dish detergent in a spray bottle. Swirl them together, but don’t shake the bottle.

2. Remove and Spray Your Air Filter

If your filter is disposable, seal it in a plastic bag and throw it away. If it’s reusable, submerge it in three inches of hot water in the sink along with a cup of bleach and three drops of dish detergent. Let it soak for 15 minutes while working on the rest of the unit. Pro Tip: Wear a face mask while performing this task!

3. Remove the A/C Grill and Set it Aside

Spray the interior of the unit with your mold-killing concoction. This should weigh down the spores and kill off the mold.

4. Wipe out Inside of Unit

Ensure that you’ve removed every particle of dirt from the interior before you’re finished. Then, we recommend spraying the entire area down again, and wipe it out once more to ensure everything is clean.

5. Scrub Grill Completely

Use plenty of bleach spray and a scrub brush to adequately clean it. Be sure to get all of the mold and dirt particles off the grill and dry it thoroughly.

How to Prevent Mold from Returning

Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned your A/C unit, here are some tips for preventing the mold from returning:

1. Invest in Right HVAC Filter

We recommend using a high-quality pleated air filter to prevent dust particles from getting into your ducts.

2. Run Your Air Conditioner

Since mold grows in damp and humid spaces, keeping your A/C on allows the humidity levels to stay balanced, preventing mold from accumulating.

3. Identify and Stop Leaks

Be on the lookout for leaks. Better yet, have your home checked by an expert before the summer rainy season begins. Trust us, you’d much rather pay to have a leak fixed than pay for extensive water damage.

4. Ensure Proper Air Flow

Mold thrives off of stale air. Make sure that all of the corners and crevices in your home have proper airflow and ventilation to prevent mold from growing. Consider leaving space between bigger furniture, exterior walls, and running the exhaust fans in your kitchen, bathrooms and laundry rooms.

As always, we believe that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you’re suspicious of mold growing in your home, give us a call at 317-203-8149 and we’re happy to take a look.