Bleach and Vinegar are Corrosive to metals The reason you shouldn't use bleach or vinegar to clean your AC drain line all boils down to the fact that these chemicals are corrosive to metals. In other words, they literally eat away at metal.
What can I pour down my AC drain?
By pouring a ¼ cup of vinegar into your AC's drain line, you will kill any mold, algae, mildew, and other forms of bacteria or fungi, preventing it from forming a buildup and causing a clog. Repeat this monthly for the best results.
Can I clean my AC coils with bleach?
About 1/2 to 1 cup of bleach to a gallon of water works very well. Never use acid based chemicals to clean your coils! Dust and dirt build-up on the inside of the coils. After spraying and carefully brushing the coils, I sprayed everything with a bleach/water mixture.
Is it safe to put bleach in air conditioner?
Mold, mildew and algae will grow in your air conditioner condensation drain year-round. Using bleach during the summer months is safe as long as the unit is operating because the constant flow of condensation will wash out any bleach residue.
How much bleach should I pour in my air conditioner?
Mix 1/4 cup bleach with 1 cup hot water and pour it into the pipe that leads into the condensate drain pan. PVC pipe and pans are not affected by the corrosive nature of chlorine bleach, but be careful to not splash the bleach onto the evaporator coils or other metal parts of the air conditioner.Sep 26, 2021
Is bleach or vinegar better for AC drain line?
We recommend using vinegar instead of a bleach solution because bleach can be harmful to your AC system if your drain line has copper tubing. Using vinegar will not damage your system. Spilling bleach can also ruin carpet or clothing, whereas vinegar will just leave a strong odor.Apr 16, 2019
Where do I put bleach in my air conditioner?
Just pour a cup of bleach in the drain line's access opening near the indoor air conditioning unit. This will kill any algae, mold or mildew that has formed in the pipe. If the condensate drain line is clogged, you will need to use a wet-dry vacuum or a special pump to unclog the line.
Are you supposed to pour bleach in air conditioner?
Over time, algae, mold and mildew can build up inside the condensate drain line and form a clog. ... Just pour a cup of bleach in the drain line's access opening near the indoor air conditioning unit. This will kill any algae, mold or mildew that has formed in the pipe.
Why do you put bleach in an air conditioner?
Bleach kills the mold and algae that grow in the air conditioner condensate drain pan. These thrive in the moist environment produced by the air conditioner's condensation.Sep 26, 2021