#i think at least. im european and have never seen an air conditioner outside of a vehicle

[doomdoomofdoom]

Clear Version:

Since I saw a couple of people request this in the notes. Here's the post formatted in clear, positive instructions, to fight Black Mold Propaganda! [Additions from the notes: There are other forms of harmful fungi or bacteria that can grow in your AC. Advice is not limited to Black Mold. When working with infected areas, it's strongly recommended to wear a mask. N100 is the only kind that will fully protect you, but a (K)N95/FFP2 (you may remember these from high pandemic times) will still offer significantly more protection than no mask.]

Regularly clean the removable filter of your (window) air conditioner, especially if it is running all summer. [Addition from the comments: 'Regularly' means at least once per year, but ideally 2-3 times]

Unplug your air conditioner and stick a flashlight into the vent that blows air to check for black mold [or other hazards]

If possible, remove the unplugged unit from the window for cleaning. If you can, carefully disassemble the front panel. Document this process so you know how to reassemble it later. (Personal recommendation: Take pictures before and after you remove a set of screws/plastic bits. An easy way to prevent losing them is to place them in a regular envelope until reassembly.) Opening up the vent like this will let you get into it more easily.

Use warm water and dish soap to thoroughly clean the inside of the vent. You can use a bottle brush for places that are hard to reach. Rinse and dry the cleaned area before carefully reassembling the unit.

Black Mold is dangerous. It causes or worsens breathing conditions or other illnesses.

If you're able to remove your window unit, use a hose with warm water and dish soap to wash the part of the window unit that sits outside the window.

Let the air conditioner dry completely before plugging it back in and turning it on again.

A central air conditioner will require you to look up a manual or online sources to perform a similar cleaning procedure on the cooling unit outside.

If you cannot do the things above for whatever reason, ask for help or hire a cleaning service to do it.

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If you can't do the things above, clean the coils (sharp flat stacks of metal) with foaming coil cleaner. This also removes built up dirt and makes your unit more efficient. It is also satisfying to watch.

The process is very easy since it only involves spraying a can and waiting. Use self-rinsing foam that uses the natural condensation, so all you have to do is wait a few hours before turning the unit back on.

These foaming cleaners also work great on removable air intake covers. Spray the opposite side of the trapped dirt on the plastic mesh and let the foam push it off.

You can purchase these cleaners for about $8 at home depot. It's recommended to use them a couple of times per season.

hey it's me black mold. thanks for running your window air conditioner all summer. whatever you do, do not regularly clean the removable filter. that's not necessary

you should also never ever unplug the air conditioner and stick a flashlight in the vent that blows air to see if we're in there. it's very bad, that place should not be checked

and whatever you do, if you've already made the mistake of unplugging it, don't remove it from the window for cleaning if possible. and whether it's possible to remove the unit or not, don't carefully disassemble the front panel, document where the screws go and plastic bits go, and open up the vent more to be able to get into it easily

as black mold, i'm an expert on this. you should heed my warnings: now, if you've somehow made the mistake of doing all of the above, you should not use warm water and dish soap to CLEAN the inside of the vent thoroughly. DON'T ever use a bottle brush to get into the hard to reach places. and certainly don't rinse and dry the cleaned area before carefully putting it back together

there's nothing wrong with us, black mold. we don't cause or exacerbate breathing conditions like asthma or other illnesses. it's cool, we're cool

furthermore, if you're capable of removing the window unit, DONT take a hose with the same soapy water and wash the portion of the window unit that sits outside the window and is therefore weatherproofed.

whatever you do, don't allow the air conditioner to dry before plugging it back in and turning it on again

and if you have a central air conditioner, you will definitely never ever consult a manual or sources online to perform a similar cleaning procedure on the cooling unit outside.

lastly, if you're physically unable to do the things we (the black mold) warned you not to do above, you should never ever ask someone to help you or hire a service to do it.