Feb 17, 2023

Cleaning your AC in Korea

After winter and spring, you can discover that the air conditioner smells musty and the fan is covered in white dust when you try to use them. You can't even use it in that condition for hygienic concerns, right?

In Korea, having your air conditioner cleaned is both necessary and simple to arrange, but how do you do it? You might be severely ill because of the dirt, bacteria, and mold that your air conditioner is currently spraying directly into your face. Here are some pointers on what to anticipate and how to locate a qualified service provider.

When people open up their air conditioners, they are frequently shocked by how filthy they are. A quick cleansing can fix a lot of issues for people with sensitive respiratory illnesses. The filter collects allergens and, if it isn't cleaned frequently, might cause discomfort. It's wise to be aware of toxic fumes that could be trapped in your air conditioner because South Korea is renowned for having poor air quality.

In addition to preventing the buildup of all that gross stuff, you may enhance the functionality of your machine. If you notice that the air isn't blowing out strongly or isn't extremely cool, dust buildup may be the blame. Please be aware that if your air conditioner is truly broken, cleaning may not be able to fix it, but the expert will almost certainly be able to explain what's wrong.

There are two ways of cleaning your AC or fan. By yourself of calling a service man, that you will have to pay.

Guide for cleaning an air conditioner by yourself

Step 1: Remove the air conditioner. Or cover, filters and caps.

Tip: Make sure the power cord is unplugged before removing the air conditioner. Using the air conditioner user handbook as a guide, carefully disassemble the air conditioner into large bits.

Unplug the power cord before beginning to clean the air conditioner to prevent incidents from occurring that could result in an electric shock or short circuit. And then use a damp tissue to remove the dust from the air conditioner's surface. After that, use a dry rag or soft cloth to wipe away any leftover debris, including any wetness. Then carefully review the instructions given with the air conditioner you bought.

In case the air conditioner is in the wall, and you can't remove it full, just remove the plastic cover and wipe it. Also remove every other bits, such as filters and caps.

STEP 2. Filter cleaning

TIP: After cleaning the filter under running water, rinse away the old dust using either neutral dish soap or water that has been diluted 1:1:1 with ethanol, baking soda, and water.

Cleaning the filters is the most crucial step in air conditioner maintenance. When the air conditioner is working, there are particularly lots of dust and germs because the filter has the job of screening out foreign items from the air. Using a vacuum cleaner, first remove some of the dust from the filter that was removed from the air conditioner. After washing with running water, soak the object in a solution containing neutral detergent or a solution made by combining water, ethanol, and baking soda in a 1:1:1 ratio. Then, use a brush or toothbrush to wipe away any remaining dust. Remove the water from the filter after washing it, then dry it in a well-ventilated area.

STEP 3. Clean the cooling blades.

TIP: You don't need to separate the cooling fins to wash them. Spray a small amount with a sprayer after combining baking soda or vinegar with water, letting it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, and then brush it.

It's time to clean the cooling fins that are deeply entrenched immediately beneath the filter after cleaning the filter. The air conditioner becomes less efficient if dust builds up on these cooling fins. If the primary purpose of the air conditioner, cooling, takes a long time, and when that happens, the electricity cost increases.

Once you've done that, you're done!

STEP 4. Eliminating moisture.

Reassemble the air conditioner after wiping it off with a dry towel and cleaning the cooling fins. And to completely remove all moisture, put the blower function to operate for roughly an hour.

STEP 5. Cleaning the outside part/outdoor unit.

TIP: Use a soft cloth dampened with water or a dry cloth to wipe the outside surface first. Then, use a brush to remove dust from the mesh area where the wind blows.

Cleaning the outdoor unit comes last after cleaning the air conditioner. The outdoor unit is more exposed to pollutants than the domestic air conditioner because it is outside. First, use a dry towel or a soft cloth soaked in water to wipe the outside unit's exterior. Then, use a brush to remove dust from the windy net.

You saw it's easier to clean the air conditioner than you think?

Calling a handyman or a professional cleaning service:

Search for 에어컨 청소 on naver to find some!

It probably won't surprise you as a foreigner to learn that the majority of air conditioner cleaning services do not speak English. You'll need assistance finding a service provider in your area, explaining the kind of unit you have, and arranging a time that's convenient for both you and the service specialist in order to schedule a cleaning. Due to the increased demand throughout the summer, it can be difficult to schedule appointments, but with a little persistence, you'll have a clean AC in no time.

Before booking a cleaner, there are a few more things to understand. It may seem apparent, but it's crucial to know the brand and model of your appliance. Some service companies exclusively offer a specific range of air conditioners cleaning services. They'll also need to know how big your unit is and how it's mounted—is it on the wall, in the ceiling, or both? Often, confusion and irritation can be avoided by sending a photo in advance.

According to where you reside and the kind of unit you have, cleaning fees might range from 50,000 to 80,000 won, shouldn't cost more than that. Is absolutely worth the money. There are many nearby cleaning businesses; all you need to do is contact to make an appointment.

Any of the previous recommendations, even hiring a repairman, won't work if the area is actually dirty. The average repairman will merely spray some air conditioner cleaning spray into the area of concern.

You should certainly contact one of the air conditioner cleaning companies that disassembles the unit and cleans it completely if you want a full cleaning. For each air conditioner, you'll spend roughly 50,000 won. This is something you should do if your air conditioner is making you sick or is really unclean.

Suggested company:

Herb Home Care (do not speak English)

Tel: 1688-2543

Ph: 010-2866-4490

Guide to cleaning fans

STEP 1: Unplug the fan.

Remember to remove the power cord before removing the fan parts. The power cord should also be unplugged before you begin cleaning a fan for safety reasons.

STEP 2: Remove the net and wing dust.

If there is any old dust, separate the fan into its main body and its net and clean it with baking soda or neutral detergent.

A fan may be taken apart much easier than an air conditioner. The main body and the net are substantially separated by the fan. To separate the two sections, loosen the screws holding them together with a screwdriver. After the net and wings have been removed, thoroughly wash them under running water. Running water by itself might not be sufficient to effectively clear old dust. If so, clean it with baking soda or a neutral detergent.

STEP 3: Cleaning the motor part.

It's time to clean the motor after the mesh and wing have been cleared of dust. The motor part cannot be cleaned with water, so dust must be removed with a toothbrush or other brush. To clean the little areas that the brush cannot reach, use a cotton swab that has been lightly wet with oil or alcohol. Use a used toothbrush to remove dust from the motor section that cannot be cleaned with water. At this point, use a cotton swab dipped in oil or alcohol to clean the little components.