Air conditioners offer cool relief in summer and keep us warm in winter, but when mould starts to grow in them, they turn from a godsend into a nightmare (and a hazard).  

Without regular cleaning and maintenance checks, your air conditioning unit could end up blowing mould spores throughout your home and property.  

So, to help you tackle the tricky issue of cleaning a mouldy air conditioner, we’ll outline the safest way to do so and how to identify a mould problem before it becomes a major infestation.  

Let’s dive in. 

Found Mould In Your Air Conditioner? These Are Your Options

You have two options: attempt to remove the mould yourself or call a professional. 

1. Clean The Unit Yourself

If you’re going to clean mould from your AC unit yourself, you must do so safely. This means wearing a mask, gloves (and in severe cases, goggles) so you don’t breathe in or come into contact with any mould spores.  

Even then, removing mould from your air conditioning unit yourself is tricky and often only a temporary solution to the problem. You may also risk aggravating the mould spores and transferring them to other areas of the home.  

MouldMen does not recommend cleaning mould from an AC unit yourself. If you’re performing a regular clean of your unit and notice spots of mould, you should seek out a professional AC cleaning service to properly address the issue.  

2. Seek Out A Professional AC Cleaning Service

Hiring a professional mould remediation service is always your safest option.  

A professional mould remediation service will thoroughly and safely clean your AC unit, vents and ducts. After treatment, they’ll also walk you through any preventative measures to safeguard your AC unit from future mould growth. 

As certified air hygienists, MouldMen technicians will remove all bacteria and mould, clean and sanitise your air conditioner. This will not only effectively remove the mould, but extend the life of your air conditioning unit and save you money on your next power bill.  

What If I Live In A Rental?

If you’ve found mould in your AC unit and live in a rental property, the first thing you should do is raise the issue with your landlord or real estate agent.  

From here, your landlord should seek out the services of a professional air conditioning cleaning service to safely remove the mould.  

How Do I Know If I Have Mould In My AC Unit? 

Depending on the type of AC unit, you may be able to notice mould spores growing on the exterior of the vents. These spores can appear in powdery or fuzzy patches of black, grey or dark green.  

However, it’s not always that simple.  

Mould spores are microscopic and often grow and spread undetected in AC units for some time before becoming visually noticeable. If you suspect you might have hidden mould growing in your AC unit, these are some tell-tale signs to look out for.  

A Lingering Musty Odour

Mould typically carries an unpleasant, musty and damp odour, similar to rotting food. So, if you notice a musty smell lingering around the house, especially when your AC unit is on, you might want to check it out for signs of mould growth.  

Noticing Symptoms

Prolonged exposure to mould and mould spores results in a range of flu like symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and even allergic reactions. If you or members of your family start noticing these mould exposure symptoms when the air conditioning is on, you may be dealing with mould. 

If you have concerns that mould is lurking in your air-conditioner, contact your local professional mould removal service for a free inspection. They’ll perform a thorough inspection of your AC and conduct a professional clean of the unit and ducts. 

Why Does Mould Grow In Air Conditioners?

Air conditioners create the perfect conditions for mould to grow and spread.  

Mould loves moisture, oxygen and organic matter – and air conditioners deliver on all three of these components.

Air conditioners run by circulating cool air throughout the home using coils, refrigerant liquid, valves and compressors. This process often results in condensation build up in the unit. Pair this with oxygen and any other dust or debris that may find its way into the AC and you have the perfect recipe for mould.  

Regular Cleaning Is Key To Prevention 

Regular cleaning of your air conditioning unit prevents the buildup of dust, pollen, bacteria and moisture – factors that all contribute to mould growth.  

As a general rule of thumb, the more you use your air conditioning unit, the more frequently you should clean it.

So, to prevent mould from occurring, here are some simple steps to help keep your AC unit clean, free from mould and running at full capacity.  

To Clean Your AC Unit

Firstly, check the instruction manual. This should outline how to access and clean the air filters of your specific unit. However, general AC cleaning usually follows the below method: 

• Remove the plastic cover and filter/s from the unit.  
• Give the filter/s a good brush or vacuum to remove all dust and dirt.  
• Wash the filter/s in warm water with some mild detergent and rinse. 
• Allow to filter/s to dry completely before adding back into the unit.  

How Does MouldMen Air Conditioning Cleaning Work? 

Our technicians will come to your home at your earliest convenience and disassemble your air conditioning unit. We remove all plastic casing and filters in order to access your unit’s condensing coil.  

We then apply our unique antimicrobial treatment solution before rinsing using our specialised pressure clean. This sanitises the back of the unit, removing all mould, dust, grime and any other materials. Our treatment solution is 100% safe and effective, so you won’t be left with any lingering chemicals. 

After we clean the interior of the unit, our technicians will clean all casings and filters and reassemble your air-conditioner. Your unit will work smoother and you can get back to enjoying clean, quality air around the home. 

Call us on 1300 60 59 60 to book your free inspection today.