How To Clean a Window AC Unit Without Having to Remove It – Easy Guide With Pictures

Window Air Conditioner units are usually pretty bulky and big in size, meaning they can be quite a hassle to install in the first place. Just like anything else, they will get dirty over time and with regular use.

But in order to ensure that they are always working at top capacity and that they last for as long as possible, you need to regularly clean them. 

It might seem as though it is necessary to remove them in order to clean them appropriately, but thankfully, you can do so without having to! It is more than possible to clean them thoroughly without having to remove them, which would honestly be too much of an effort to even want to deal with the situation! 

Let’s take a look at how exactly you can clean your window AC unit, without removing it. 

Preparation: What You Will Need 

Before you get started with the actual cleaning, we recommend that you have everything you need ready and at your disposal. This will make the job a lot easier, and it will also mean you’re not interrupting the process by having to go and look for the right tools or materials. 

Isn’t there a saying of some sort for situations like these? Something along the lines of ‘extensive preparation leads to a shorter execution…?’ We might have made that up, but you get the idea. 

Here is everything you will need to clean your window AC without removing it: 

A Pair of Gloves

(it’s a basic rule when cleaning most things, but it’s important to protect your hands from the cleaning process, as most cleaning products can be very harsh on the skin!)  

The User Manual For Your Window AC Unit

(user manuals tend to come with cleaning instructions, or at the very least with some tricks, tips, or warnings. If you’ve lost it you can always try googling the AC model.)

An Old Newspaper, an Old Towel, or Something to Place Under the AC as You’re Cleaning it

(this isn’t technically needed, but it will keep the area around your window clean and protected during the process!)

A Bucket Full of Warm Water and Soap

(pretty basic!)

(it’s okay if you don’t have this, but it will come in very handy if you do!)

A Screwdriver

(also pretty basic!)

Optional: a Tray to Place Small Parts

(this isn’t needed, but trust us, it comes in very handy. It’s a way of keeping all the small parts you disassemble or clean in an organized space, so you don’t lose anything.) 

How to Clean the Window AC Unit Without Removing It

Once you have all the tools necessary and you’re ready to get started, it’s time to finally get cleaning. Here is a step by step guide on how to deep clean the AC unit, without removing it from your window: 

1. Turn Off and Disconnect the AC Unit

The first thing you need to do, which is an absolutely vital step, is to not only turn the air conditioner off but to completely disconnect it. You don’t want any nasty accidents taking place during the cleaning process because you have left it on or it’s still receiving power! Basically, unplug it!

2. Remove the Filter

All air conditioner units have a filter, which is what traps the dirt in the air. They’re very easy to remove, and you should be able to do so without much of a struggle. Check whether your filter is permanent, or whether it’s a disposable one that needs to be replaced regularly.

You should be able to access the filter from inside the house. Check your instruction manual to learn how to reach and change the filter.

If it’s a washable filter, go and put it in a bucket of warm water and soap, and leave it to soak until it is clean. 

3. Remove the Protective Case

Next, you will need to remove the outer case of the air conditioner unit, so that you can get to its interior more easily. This will be located outside your home. Make sure the AC is properly stabilized while you do this so it doesn't tumble out the window.

You will need to use the screwdriver for this step. Take off the front and back, and remove any other components that you can unscrew easily. Do everything carefully to not cause any damage!

To clean all of these pieces, you can leave them to soak in the bucket of warm water and soap, and then leave them to air dry while you get on with the rest of the cleaning.

If you’re taking apart any smaller pieces, we recommend you place them in a tray, or somewhere organized. You don’t want to lose anything!

4. Cleaning the Dust

Air conditioners will usually build up quite a lot of dust, and you need to deal with that before you can deep clean the interior or exterior. For this, you can wipe it all down with a damp cloth, or you can use a small vacuum to make sure you’re getting all the dirt specks. 

Vacuum out all portions you can reach both from the inside of the house and inside the rear portion of the unit. 

5. Use the Brush

To ensure you’re loosening up all the dirt before wiping it clean, you can use a soft brush. This will also help get rid of all the bigger patches of dirt, or anything that has gotten stuck to the air conditioner unit. Make sure the brush has soft bristles so that you aren’t accidentally causing any damage to any of the parts, as they can be quite delicate. 

The brush should be used on the coils which are most likely located outside the window. If this is done inside your home, you may want to put a protective cloth on the ground to catch any dirt or grime you dislodge. 

6. Wiping the Interior

To wipe the interior, first spray it with warm water and soap, or warm water mixed with a drop or two of bleach. It can be hard to get to every corner, especially the smaller gaps, so spraying it will make sure it at least gets soaked. Once this is done, you can use wipes or a damp cloth to clean everything within reach! The cleaner the interior is, the better the air conditioner will work.

7. Wiping the Exterior

Now, go back outside and work on the rear of your air conditioner, and wipe down all parts. Using a coil spray and/or hose may be necessary, just be sure to check your user manual. If spraying anything, cover the inside vent to be sure the cleaner and water do not end up on the floor inside your home.

Depending on the weather and other factors, the exterior might be super dirty. It might take a lot more scrubbing and a bit more effort to get it clean, but just keep at it with a damp cloth, and use plenty of soap during the process to ensure it ends up as clean as possible.

8. Reassemble the Window AC Unit

Once everything is clean, it’s time to put the AC unit back together. Screw everything back in place, in the correct order and position. It’s super handy to take a look at the user manual, just to make sure you’re 100% putting it back together in the right way, as you want to ensure it will work fine! 

Be sure to secure all parts and make sure they snap into place. Then verify that the window unit is still securely in the window opening. 

9. Check that Everything is in Working Condition and Set Up Properly

Once it’s all set, give it a final check. Plug it in and make sure it works fine, and then you’re all done! Keep in mind, some dust may come out of the vent at first, so don't be surprised. This is because you dislodged all the gunk built up inside and any you couldn't reach may come out with the first burst of air. 

Benefits of Cleaning the Window AC Unit Without Removing It

Okay, so now you know how to deep clean your window AC unit. But why should you bother cleaning it? Are there any significant benefits to cleaning it other than the obvious prolonging of its lifespan? 

Well...yeah. In fact, here is a list of benefits that are more than enough reason for ensuring you keep your AC nice and clean: 

No Heavy Lifting

You won't risk hurting your back if you leave the unit in the window while you clean it.

Can Be Done By One Person

While removing the AC from the window generally requires two people, cleaning it while in its opening is a one-man job, though it means moving between the inside and outside several times. 

Elevated Project

The fact that the AC is off the ground makes it easier to reach and to drain. You won't have to worry about the unit sitting in its own dirty water while you're in the process of cleaning it. 

Cleaner Air

As with any air conditioner, it it is dirty, that dirt will also be present in the air that is being cooled down through it. This can lead to some health issues, in the long run, not to mention that it can worsen allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems! 

The Air Will Smell Better

We’re not saying that if your AC is clean, the air in your house will suddenly smell amazing. But it will feel fresher. There won’t be as much dust in it, and it won’t be as musty! 

Less Noise!

Window air conditioners can sometimes be noisy, even more so if they haven’t been cleaned in a while, as the dirt build-up means that they have to work harder to provide you with the results. The cleaner the AC is, the smoother it will run, and the quieter it will be. 

When to Clean Your Window AC Unit

How regularly should you be cleaning your window air conditioner unit? Well, it kind of depends on how much you are using it, and where you live. After all, different weather conditions or levels of dust lead to an AC getting dirty at different paces. 

If you haven’t cleaned it for a while, it will likely need a deep clean. But after that, you should be able to get by with smaller cleans, at a more regular time. 

The recommended is to check up on your AC unit once a month. Do some basic cleaning such as wiping off any noticeable dirt, and cleaning out the filter. (The filter really is the most important thing to clean!) 

Other than that, your AC unit should be good to go! 

In Conclusion

So, to sum up, it is important to clean your window AC unit regularly, in order to ensure it is working smoothly. This will improve the quality of the air in your house, and will also make the AC unit last for a lot longer.

Window AC units are bulky and complicated to install, so removing them just for a clean is too much of a hassle. Instead, you can clean it without the need for removal. You can do so by disconnecting it and unscrewing all of the main components off. Then you can wipe it down and ensure every last corner is thoroughly cleaned, before putting it back together and making sure it works.

You shouldn’t have to deep clean it too regularly, so long as you do a monthly check-up to change the filter and clean any noticeable spots of dirt!