How to Clean Your Japanese Air Conditioner

Japanese air conditioners are essential home appliances because of their cooling, dehumidifying and heating functions. But unlike other appliances, which you can shine up with elbow grease, cleaning an air conditioner requires a little more technical know-how. While removing and cleaning your air conditioner’s filters is easy, giving your unit a deep clean requires careful preparation.

It’s ideal to deep clean your air conditioner before periods of high use, like the summer and winter seasons. A deep clean is also necessary if you see dust or mold on the rotating fan blades inside your unit.

Here are Japanese products, search terms and tips for cleaning air conditioners yourself. For those who lack the time or don’t quite feel comfortable tackling the deep cleaning themselves, we provide a list of trustworthy cleaning professionals you can contact.

Cleaning Your Japanese Air Conditioner

Photo: iStock/ years

While there are many models and levels of intensity when it comes to cleaning, here is an overview of each step and some places to start. We’ve broken down the process into the following steps:

• Preparation
• Cleaning
• Post-cleaning

Preparation

Photo: iStock/ kaorinne

Before you tackle your big cleaning project, here are a few things you should prepare, from researching your specific air conditioner to the products you need to purchase to get started on your deep clean.

Japanese Air Conditioner Vocabulary

Research online to gather information on the process, products and general tips. You can find some information in English, but you’ll find much more in Japanese. Here are some search terms in Japanese and English to give you a head start.

Air Conditioner Cleaning Tools and Products

Once you’ve done the initial research, it’s time to do some shopping. Here’s a list of some of the most popular items and some Amazon Japan links to the more specialized AC cleaning products to get you started.

Recommended Specialized Cleaning Products

Tips before starting:

• Do research on your specific unit’s brand and model
• Check your user manual or watch some videos online about how best to clean your unit.
• Refer to the professional air conditioner cleaning company Osouji Honpo’s website for a visual guide.

How to Deep Clean Your Japanese Air Conditioner

Photo: iStock/ iamskylineex

Keeping your air conditioner clean is essential for maintaining efficiency and ensuring healthy air quality. Follow these steps to deep clean your Japanese air conditioner.

Step 1: Unplug Your Air Conditioner

Before starting, unplug your air conditioner to ensure your safety.

Step 2: Open the Front Panel

Gently pry open the front panel of the unit. Take a moment to assess how dusty or moldy it is inside.

Step 3: Remove the Air Filters

Carefully remove the two air filters that become visible once the front panel is open. Be careful not to bend or damage the delicate metal coils behind the filters.

Step 4: Clean the Air Filters

Rinse the filters thoroughly in your shower. If they are filthy, use a cleaning brush and detergent.

Step 5: Remove and Clean the Plastic Mounting

Unscrew and remove the plastic mounting around your AC unit. Wash it in the shower just as you did with the filters.

Step 6: Attach the AC Cleaning Cover

Using water-resistant adhesive tape, secure the AC cleaning cover around the unit. This will help contain the mess during cleaning.

Step 7: Protect Electrical Components

Cover the sensitive electrical components on the right side of the unit with cloth masking tape to protect them from water damage.

Step 8: Set Up for Water Collection

Prepare a large bucket or garbage bin to collect the dirty water. Secure it to the bottom end of your AC cleaning cover.

Step 9: Use a Pressurized Sprayer

Fill a pressurized sprayer with a mixture of AC cleaning detergent (see above)  and water, following the detergent’s instructions for the correct ratio. Thoroughly spray the inside of your air conditioner with this solution.

Step 10: Dry and Reassemble

Leave your air conditioner open for a few hours to allow it to dry completely. Once dry, reassemble all the components.

Post Deep Cleaning

After you have deep-cleaned your air conditioner, you can keep it clean by cleaning your air filters at least once every two weeks. If your unit has a self-cleaning function (labeled as 内部クリーン/naibu-clean), run it regularly to reduce dust and mold build-up.

Hiring Professional Cleaners

Photo: iStock/ mapo

Deep cleaning your air conditioner can be challenging and time-consuming. It requires the right products and knowledge to avoid damaging your unit. If you’re unsure about doing it yourself, consider hiring professional cleaners. Remember that you may need to book them weeks in advance as many people schedule cleanings before summer.

Here are some nationwide AC cleaning services and independent providers. On average, it costs around ¥10,000 to ¥15,000 to clean a single unit if you go with a company and from ¥7,000 up if you choose an individual provider. Discounts are often available if you have multiple units cleaned simultaneously. Additional services, like mold-prevention coating or exterior cleaning, can also be added for an extra fee.

Nationwide cleaning companies:

• Ousoji Honpo 
• Kaji Taku (Aeon) 
• Duskin
• Yamada Denki 
• EdiOn 
• Mitsubishi Electric

Independent cleaning services:

• Curama
• Tokyo Cleaning Service
• Tokyo Dust Free
• Handyman Service

Have you ever cleaned your air conditioner? Let us know your experiences and tips in the comments below!

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