What is the best car air conditioner cleaner: foam, aerosol, smoke or homemade
Content
Before the start of the season, it is not enough to check and refuel the air conditioning system, and then make sure that the interior is cooled effectively. It is important to get rid of the colonies of bacteria that have settled in the channels of the system, emitting an unpleasant musty smell. There are a number of tools and techniques for cleaning.
Types of car air conditioner cleaners
The use of cleaners is possible in two ways - partial and complete. The first is carried out from the cabin with the recirculation mode turned on. It works quite efficiently, and all funds are calculated for it.
But complete cleaning is possible only through the air inlet into the cabin, located on the shelf of the engine compartment.
To do this, you need to remove the plastic cover, find where the air is taken into the climate system and pour the selected agent there, choosing the mode of external air intake into the heater and air conditioner.
It will be useful to remove debris accumulated under the lid and disinfect the area around from bacteria.
Foam
Foam-type cleaners are the most effective because the foam penetrates well into all hidden cavities and is held there long enough for the active chemicals to work well.
The most persistent dirt should be removed in this way, sometimes repeating the operation for greater effect.
Aerosol
Aerosol cleaners work slightly worse, but linger less in the work area. Unlike some foam-type products, they do not form a protective film on parts.
Smoke bomb
Checkers work well for odors that have settled in the cabin, and the fact that the working substance does not linger on pipelines and radiators is compensated by repeated circulation during processing.
A feature of use is the inability to interrupt the procedure that has begun, but this is usually not necessary.
Homemade
If desired, you can prepare a disinfectant solution yourself. For this, a solution of chloramine or chlorhexidine is used.
The substances are very active, so do not abuse the concentration, 0,5 ml of chlorhexidine per liter of water or 2 ml of chloramine is enough.
The resulting solutions are sprayed with a sprayer into the cabin filter area, while the filter itself is removed. The process occurs while the fan is operating at maximum speed in the air conditioning mode. Substances are dangerous for the respiratory system, you will have to take measures to prevent them from being inhaled.
Currently, many industrial cleaners with a complex composition are being produced and sold, so it is hardly worth experimenting and risking health with homemade products.
5 inexpensive cleaners
Cheap doesn't always mean bad. The line is rather drawn on the price of the compositions than on their effectiveness. The recommended and proven tools will not work much worse than the most expensive ones, and the existing shortcomings will be mentioned.
1 - Lavr "Antibacterial"
The composition from the growing domestic manufacturer of auto chemical goods is extremely effective, especially considering its low price.
The foam will remove all bacteria, allergens, mold and other contaminants, after which it will leave a protective film on the walls of the channels and radiators that prevents the growth of new colonies. At the same time, the product has a smell that does not cause rejection, it works moderately quickly.
Among the shortcomings, poor work on heavily polluted systems stands out, which requires repeated use.
2 – Runway Air Conditioner Cleaner
The agent is introduced into the air conditioning system with the engine running, after which everything is turned off, and an exposure is made for 10 minutes.
Processing products are removed by turning on ventilation to maximum performance with an open cabin. The spray can is small, but it turns out to be enough for cleaning, and the price is very budgetary.
3 – GOOD BN-153
The spray comes in a manual dispenser at a fairly high price. But the large volume and the possibility of repeated use make it possible to classify it as a budget one.
The composition is well thought out, no noticeable flaws were found.
4 – Mannol Air Conditioner Cleaner
A budget option for an imported cleaning agent. The foam works slowly, but with sufficient quality, while the balloon will be inexpensive, and it will perform its functions no worse than more expensive formulations.
5 - Checker Carmate
A Japanese product for those who like to use smoke bombs to clean the climate system. It works no less effectively than spectacularly.
After starting, it begins to warm up, giving time to install it in the legs of the front passenger and leave the car.
The air conditioner should run at full power for about 10 minutes with the cabin closed, after which the smoke is ventilated, and all germs and foreign odors disappear.
Top 5 air conditioner cleaners
Often the price is determined by the name of the manufacturer, although a popular brand is more likely to provide a certain guarantee of a quality result than a lesser-known one.
1 – Step Up Air Conditioner Cleaner/Disinfectant
According to all reviews, the best cleaning agent, while not the most expensive. The composition of the foam type, a plastic tube is purchased separately to accurately direct the product to the desired area.
You will not need to buy it a second time, it is not for a single use.
2 – Liqui Moly air conditioning system cleaner
An elite, judging by the price, product from the famous manufacturer of motor oils, lubricants and other chemicals for cars. It works efficiently, uses the foam principle, of the shortcomings, only high cost can be noted.
The small capacity of the can hints at the special effectiveness of the composition.
3 – OPEN AC-100
A well-known manufacturer of auto chemicals offers a cleaning agent, the hallmark of which is high washing power.
With the help of Abro, you can clearly see how much dirt accumulates in the labyrinths of the climate system.
4 - Sonax Clima Clean Antibacterial
Not the cheapest cleaner, but it fights bacteria well, which is what is required of it. The disadvantage can be considered an unpleasant odor, which will take time to eliminate it in a natural way during normal ventilation.
5 - Wurth
A small aerosol can that quickly eliminates both bacteria and odors. Its deodorizing effect is emphasized.
How to use
All cleaning compounds are not friendly to the respiratory organs, vision and other skin and mucous membranes.
Therefore, when using, you should be guided by some general rules:
- all of them are effective with regular use, it is possible to wash a running system with high quality only with disassembly and on professional equipment, which is much more expensive;
- during processing, the interior must be airtight for maximum use of active substances;
- the cabin filter must be removed and then replaced with a new one after airing and ventilation;
- what exactly to include - an air conditioner or a heater, determines the instructions for using a particular drug;
- the fan must operate at maximum speed, which, on the one hand, increases efficiency, and on the other hand, saves the life of the ballast resistor;
- during processing it is impossible to be in the car;
- all procedures end with airing, and new odors that have appeared can only disappear completely with time.
Treatment of the air conditioning system not only improves its performance, but also prolongs the life due to improved heat transfer, so it must be carried out regularly, at least once a year.
Finishing with dry cleaning of the interior, which will remove the processing products that have settled on the finishing materials.
