By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 04:50 am: Edit

What's the best way to clean the insides of your A/C ductwork??


Last fall, I quit running the A/C, and didn't run it again until early spring. That's when I started noticing a musty smell with the A/C on... oops!!!

It finally seemed to air out, though, as I left the A/C on.

Now, I'm not needing it, so I'll cut it off, but then turn it on for the afternoons when it gets warm. If I leave it on ALL the time, the problem doesn't occur, but if I cut it off, then back on later that day the musty smell will be there... that quick, only a couple of hours of being off, and it occurs.

So, what can I do to clean this up? Do I need to heavily spray Lysol into the vents, until it can soak it down in there? Or is that not going to be enough to kill it, or is it going to do damage instead? Is there something bettter to spray in there? Or is there another way to rectify this??

Thx....

-L

By Eric N (Grnrvr) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 04:55 am: Edit

I sprayed a can of Lysol down there 7 months ago and it hasn't hurt anything that I know about. Turned air on high and sprayed into the out side intake. Was a car fire in the parking garage and every time I used the heat or AC it smelt like burnt plastic. I also turn the heat on for a couple minutes after running the AC before I turn the car off as this helps dry off the coils. I rarely use the AC though.

By Ron on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 05:41 am: Edit

Lysol through the outside vents.

No problems. RR smells nice now

Alyssa stopped sneezing in it. If I had a radio she might even drive it

Ron

By Shane C. (Qsiguy) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 05:55 am: Edit

Whenever I am using the a/c I shut off the a/c button, leaving the fan on, about 5 minutes before I get where I am going do dry out any condensation. I don't think mildew/moisture would live in there very long if you do that, unless you live in a very wet climate.

By Moe (Moe) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 05:59 am: Edit

Better check both drain tubes. If they are blocked or constricted, it might be adding to your problem.

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 12:32 pm: Edit

I hadn't checked the drain-tubes, as it leaves lots of water on the ground and the interior's never even gotten damp (except from muddy/snowy/puddle-jumpin' feet!). But that's an easy check.

Lysol it is, then, along with starting to cut it off before I get there.... I'm not TOO old of a dog, I can still learn a new trick....


-L

By ken on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 01:37 pm: Edit

try putting a couple of laundry sheets (the ones that you use for the dryer) in side the vent. I do that for my home vents and any time I use the heater or AC it smells great.

I bet Martha Stewert would love that one.

P.S. I use Bounce smells april fresh

By Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 01:48 pm: Edit

LOL! My wife'll KNOW that I've gone off the deep-end when I tell her I'm snatching some of those sheets for the Rover.... 'course, she really does know that I already have anyway, so nothing new.....


-L