I recently took on the task of cleaning my window air conditioning unit after my ex moved out, leaving it behind with a bunch of cats. It was really smelly, and there was a ton of water at the bottom. I've managed to clean it out, but now I'm unsure whether I should keep it clean and dry or if I should pour water back into it. To give you a bit more context, the unit was covered in patches of wet fur and some gross stuff that looked like mold. This is my fourth round of cleaning, and I just want to make sure I'm handling it right. Any advice would be super helpful!
3 Answers
Definitely don’t put the dirty water back in! Just toss it out. All window AC units can get pretty gnarly like that over time, especially if pets are involved. Clean it thoroughly and let it dry completely before mounting it back in the window. It's important to let the condensation in the back do its job of cooling the motor without the extra junk in there. I also like to spray a mix of vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and a citrus scent into the vents after cleaning to help prevent mold. Great job on the cleaning—many people don't bother! The older units, if taken care of, can last for years and keep you cool. Cheers!
Hey, you're doing great! You don't want to leave any dirty water in there, just make sure it’s all drained out. Some videos might suggest keeping water in, but that’s generally for condensation that helps cool the motor. You can keep the drain flowing freely on the outside, which is a good move! If you've added hot water and disinfectant, that's a good start. Just let it dry completely before you start using it again!