To clean a wall-mounted air conditioner, turn off its breaker, wash the indoor filters every month, wipe the front panel, and keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves and debris. The coil, blower wheel and drain line inside the unit need a professional deep clean about once a year, because that is where mold and buildup collect.
Dirty filters cut airflow and let dust and moisture build up on the coil, which hurts both efficiency and indoor air quality. The steps below are what a homeowner can safely do on a wall-mounted unit or ductless mini split, and where to stop and book a professional cleaning. New to these systems? Start with how wall-mounted air conditioners work.
1. Gather Your Tools
Before commencing the cleaning process, gather the tools you will need. To start, make sure to grab a hygienic vacuum, a soft brush, soap, an AC fin comb, an antifungal cleaning spray, and a full spray bottle before opening up your ac unit. You can also use rubber gloves, a face mask, and flashlights or headlamps to assist with the task of mini-split cleaning!
2. Don't Forget to Turn off Your Unit
Turn the system off with the remote, then switch off its circuit breaker at the electrical panel. Most mini splits are hard-wired rather than plugged in, so the breaker (or the outdoor disconnect box next to the condenser) is the only reliable way to cut power before you open the front panel.
3. Clean Your AC's Outdoor Unit
The outdoor unit needs space to release heat. Do the outside work only; leave the cabinet closed.
- Clear leaves, grass and trash for about two feet around the unit.
- Wipe the outside of the cabinet with a damp cloth and mild soapy water.
- Rinse the coil fins gently from the outside with a garden hose on a low setting. Never use a pressure washer, which flattens the fins.
- Straighten lightly bent fins with a fin comb.
Do not remove the outdoor unit’s panels. The fan, compressor and electrical parts inside should be serviced by a licensed technician.
4. Clean the Indoor Unit of Your Air Conditioner
On the indoor unit, for example a Mitsubishi mini split, wipe the surface with a damp cloth, then lift the front panel. Slide out the air filters, wash them in lukewarm water with a little mild soap, and let them dry completely before putting them back. Do this about once a month during heavy use.
You can lightly spray the visible front of the coil with a no-rinse coil cleaner made for mini splits. Keep liquid away from the electronics on the right side of the unit.
Leave these to a technician:
- The blower wheel, the black drum behind the louvers, which is where most mold builds up
- The drain pan and condensate drain line
- The refrigerant lines between the indoor and outdoor units. Never disconnect them; doing so releases refrigerant and voids the warranty.
Professional wall-mounted AC cleaning in Los Angeles
Dr. Ductless deep-cleans wall-mounted mini splits of every major brand from offices in Lawndale and Los Feliz. A professional cleaning is $199 for the first indoor unit and $59.99 for each additional unit. See what the cleaning visit covers, read the full mini split maintenance checklist, or call (213) 916-0005.
