Thanks to air conditioning, stuffiness and heat are no longer a cause for concern. These devices easily lower the air to the desired temperature using a filter system. However, no air conditioner can recirculate forever. In the process of passing air, this device absorbs microbes, bacteria, and mold, the presence of which can be detected by a specific “aroma”. It is possible to defeat the smell from an air conditioner in an apartment if you know the operating principles of this device and its vulnerabilities.
Causes of odor
Many people who use air conditioning believe that this device does not require maintenance, but this is not true!
If you do not pay any attention to it, over time, the smell from the air conditioner in the apartment will not only worsen the quality of life, but will also pollute the air. Like any other system that affects the microclimate, this device requires periodic maintenance.
There are several main reasons why air conditioners stop functioning properly:
- Accumulation of fungi and harmful bacteria.
- Accumulation of odors spreading throughout the room.
- Drainage without a siphon.
Expert opinion
Borodina Galina Valerievna
The air conditioner is not capable of complete self-cleaning and every owner of this device needs to understand that its resources are not endless. An excess of dust particles entering the device through the fans will sooner or later lead to failure of the entire system.
Bacteria and fungus
No matter how clean the air in the house where the air conditioner is installed, it still contains a certain amount of bacteria, spores, microbes, etc.
Since the device inevitably produces condensation during operation, microbes interact with moisture. Water, being a nutrient substrate for bacteria, leads to their rapid increase.
An unpleasant odor appears if this water is not removed for a long time or is not completely removed. In a humid environment, bacteria multiply quickly, thinning out the specific pungent odor that quickly fills the house.
The longer the air conditioner is turned off, the more microorganisms accumulate in it. The reason for this phenomenon is that low temperature inhibits reproduction, and high temperature accelerates it.
Odors from the room
An air conditioner that uses air from the room in which it is located.
The problem of odor accumulation is not common to all air conditioners - some models use street air, some use room air. This section will focus on the second option. By sucking in air, air conditioners release it in compressed form. The result is a vicious circle - the device takes odors from the room and releases them back in greater concentration. This process is called recycling.
In addition to room “odors,” unpleasant odors can be caused by:
- Low-quality types of plastic.
- Scented detergents.
No siphon
This is what a siphon for draining condensate from air conditioners looks like.
There are various ways to remove accumulated liquid from an air conditioner - sometimes it is released into the street, sometimes it goes through the sewer. If preference is given to the sewer method, then the presence of a siphon will be a prerequisite. Unfortunately, some air conditioner owners limit themselves to the so-called. "pseudosiphons". These parts often fail to perform their duties and contribute to leaks.
If the liquid that gets from the air conditioner into the wastewater ends up in the apartment, then it will take a long time to get rid of its consequences. An unpleasant odor will remain in the rooms even after the owner of the device has eliminated all the consequences of the accident. The most effective way to correct this problem is dismantling.
How to clean the filter yourself
You can clean the air conditioner filter from dirt without the help of specialists. Of course, different types of air conditioners have their own characteristics, but in most cases their design is similar. You can clean the filter according to the instructions supplied with the device or by following the following recommendations (all manipulations are carried out with the indoor unit already dismantled and de-energized):
- carefully open the top cover on the indoor unit;
- if there is dust, vacuum it;
- Wipe off stubborn dirt without using household chemicals;
- dry the filter;
- in fan mode, disinfect the air conditioner, and the smell from the air conditioner in the apartment will go away when turned on;
- wipe the blinds with a damp cloth or rinse them under running water when removed;
- assemble the air conditioner.
If the device contains a disposable filter, it is recommended not to wash it, but to periodically replace it with a new one.
If the device contains a disposable filter, it is recommended not to wash it, but to periodically replace it with a new one.
Elimination of odors
Getting rid of annoying odors that have settled in the air conditioner involves a similar scheme of actions, which includes three stages:
- Washing away dirt and mold.
- Washing and disinfection of parts (not all air conditioner parts can be washed).
- Dry thoroughly.
Expert opinion
Borodina Galina Valerievna
If the contamination is small, it makes sense to try to get rid of it without disassembling the split system of the device. However, with this method, only a short-term effect can be achieved.
Removing moisture manually
Most modern air conditioners are equipped with a delay function for turning off the fan after the air conditioner stops operating. The meaning of this delay is the additional time that is given to the fan to evaporate the accumulated condensate. In those models that do not provide this useful option, it is recommended to turn on the ventilation manually. Timely drying will prevent the device from turning into a “shelter” for bacteria.
In some cases, the reasons for moisture stagnation lie in improper installation. As a result of a mistake by the master, the water in a certain area does not evaporate even with the help of fans, forming a swamp. Such a miscalculation requires reinstallation of the drainage system.
Disinfection
There are special antibacterial products available for sale that are designed to clean air conditioners.
For cleaning purposes, it is also possible to use alternative options, such as:
- Products for treating machine air conditioners - they can be purchased at all auto stores.
- Medical disinfectants (such as Lysol or chlorhexidine).
The technique for using all of these products is very simple:
- Treating the evaporator with antibacterial liquid.
- Liquid dripping into the pan.
- Moving through the drainage system and cleaning it.
Such prevention does not always lead to tangible results. If after this the smell does not go away, then all that remains is to disassemble the device and then treat all internal surfaces and the impeller.
Cleaning the filter
The “heart” of the air conditioner is its filter - it is this that accumulates dirt and requires periodic maintenance. Maintenance methods are determined by the type of filter - some air conditioners are equipped with reusable filters, others with disposable ones. Reusable filters should be washed, and disposable filters should be changed. Since changing the filter is not difficult, let’s focus on cleaning it.
Each air conditioner is unique in its own way, and therefore, before manipulating it, you need to read the instructions.
There are no universal rules for caring for such devices, because different models have a lot of nuances.
If we describe the process in general terms, it consists of the following actions:
- Opening the top cover of the internal unit of the device.
- Removing the filter.
- Cleaning the dust with a vacuum cleaner (if the dirt is minor).
- Rinsing the filter under running water (if the dirt has dried and a crust has formed). The use of household chemicals and thorough rubbing is prohibited.
- Drying the filter.
- Return the filter to its place and turn on the fan (this action will remove all remaining moisture).
- Spraying an antibacterial agent in the air suction area.
- Wiping blinds with a damp cloth.
- Air conditioner assembly.
Expert opinion
Borodina Galina Valerievna
If you are not sure that you can disassemble the device yourself, we recommend that you seek help from specialists. They will determine whether it is appropriate to wash the filter and identify any potential problems.
How to remove odor from your air conditioner at home
- Cleaning the air conditioner filter
Drying. If you have a modern model of air conditioner, then there probably is a function that delays the fan turning off after the air conditioner has been turned off. This function dries the evaporator and eliminates various types of odors. Well, if there is no such function, then in this case you can turn on the “ventilation” mode yourself and turn it off after five or ten minutes. Improper installation of the air conditioner will cause stagnation of water, and there will also be a smell from there. In this case, you can only completely redo the drainage system; if water accumulates inside the unit, then you should reinstall it horizontally. - Disinfection. In special stores you can purchase products that provide antibacterial treatment. In car stores you can buy conditioner, which also disinfects; in fact, it is no different from room conditioner in composition, so you can use one product for both the car and the home. In addition to professional products, Lysol is also used; it is sold in pharmacies. The evaporator is treated with it, and from it the product flows into the pan, then into the drainage system. Sometimes this is not enough and you have to disassemble the air conditioner and completely disinfect it.
Antibacterial filters
What method helped you get rid of the smell from your air conditioner?
DisinfectionCleaning the filter
With the development of technology, companies are beginning to offer air conditioners that are capable of self-cleaning. This feature does not mean that you can no longer maintain the appliances, but it does make them easier to maintain and slows down the process of contamination. The filters used in such innovative air conditioners are listed in the table.
Antibacterial filters
| Type | Description |
| Photocatalytic | The advantage of the filter is its ability to decompose organic compounds into components in the form of water, carbon oxides and other safe elements. The operation of photocatalysis is based on the interaction of titanium dioxide and UV rays, which is involved in the processing of all odors of organic nature. Titanium dioxide does not pose a health risk because it is not consumed during air conditioning operation. |
| Plasma ionizer | The ionizer consists of two plates, between which a voltage of thousands of volts is applied. Any bacteria that enter this space become electrified and stick to the plates. Filters of this type are durable and rarely need to be replaced. |
| Catechin | The use of catechin in the manufacture of filters is an idea patented by Panasonic. This remedy is extracted from tea leaves and has disinfecting properties. In filters, catechin is used as a coating. Enveloping all bacteria and spores, this substance prevents them from spreading and thereby purifies the air. |
| Wasabi | An unusual ingredient such as wasabi is an excellent assistant in the fight against viruses. Japanese horseradish acts by analogy with catechin, leaving no chance for harmful microorganisms to live. You can buy wasabi filters from only one manufacturer - General-Fujitsu |
What does the refrigerator smell like?
We have found that your concerns about the smell of freon are unfounded, which means you need to look for the cause elsewhere.
Causes of odor in the refrigerator:
- Smell of plastic in the new unit.
- Stale or improperly stored food.
- Dirt and bacteria.
- Blockage in the drainage system.
- Dirty deodorizer. Modern models of devices include a bio-deodorizer that absorbs odors and may have antibacterial properties. Perhaps this element does not cope with its function, as it needs cleaning. For information on how to carry out this procedure, read the instructions for the device.
How to get rid of smell in the refrigerator?
To remove odor from the device:
- Disconnect the device from the power supply.
- Empty the refrigerator of food.
- Remove all shelves and drawers.
- Defrost the unit completely.
- Clean the refrigerator thoroughly.
- Wipe and dry all parts of the unit.
- Leave the device for ventilation.
- Place a special odor absorber or activated carbon in the refrigerator compartment.
Important! Very often, during defrosting, food such as beef, pork, fish or poultry may leak blood and get into the corners, crevices and various channels of the refrigerator. Therefore, regularly rinse the walls of the refrigerator with warm water, otherwise the smell from the food may remain in the plastic for a long time.
In order to thoroughly wash all elements of the device and get rid of the “odor”, you can use special solutions:
- Hydrogen peroxide. Spray the drug solution on the inner walls of the device using a spray bottle. After 2-3 minutes, wipe the surface of the device dry.
Important! Hydrogen peroxide can quickly eliminate almost all odors.
- A water solution of vinegar. Prepare a solution: 1 part vinegar, 8 parts water. Thoroughly wipe all internal parts of the refrigerator with the solution. Repeat the procedure if necessary.
Important! If folk remedies do not help, then use special household preparations. There are many devices that will quickly rid the device of the stench. Small-sized preparations (fit in the palm of your hand) are placed inside the refrigerator compartment. Liquid absorbers absorb odors for several months. After this they need to be replaced.
In order to prevent the appearance of “odors” in the unit, use odor absorbers for preventive purposes. The principle of their action is absorption: “foul-smelling” molecules are bound by the active substance and neutralized.
The simplest and most effective adsorbents can be found in every home:
- Crusts of black bread. Leave the product inside the refrigerator until the stench is completely eliminated.
- Activated carbon. Place a glass of charcoal on the refrigerator shelves - it will absorb all the odors from the food.
- Black coffee. Place a glass of black coffee beans in the unit - after a while there will be no trace of the stench left.
- A slice of raw potato or half an apple. Leave the product overnight and throw it away in the morning so as not to create another source of unpleasant “spirit”.
- Citrus. Slices of orange, lemon or tangerine will absorb the stench and leave a pleasant aroma. After 24 hours, discard the fruit to prevent mold from growing on it. You can also use citrus peels.
