Periodic Cleaning of AC Filters Made Easy

[RVNeophytes2]

I've been inside no fewer than 100 RVs this year, shopping for our next rig.

In all but the newest ones, the AC filters have shown various amounts of accumulated dirt. Some of the pre-owned models have been so filthy, I wonder if they were ever cleaned.

Yesterday, I noticed that ours were getting a little dirty, I pulled them out. Well, they'd crusted up pretty badly, in just a few months of occasional use!

Tempted to simply by new foam at Lowes, cut my own shapes, I instead threw them into the washing machine, along with our make-your-own aisle runner from the same store. It too was a candidate for replacement. So, in either case, I'd nothing to lose.

To my surprise, both came out of a Delicate cycle in the washer and an hour-long tumble dry on low heat, looking new!

For icing on the cake, I raided Momma's expensive perfume collection, spritzed the filters prior to installation. If I'd had my wits about me, I'd walked over to the neighbor lady's house, and asked to use some of hers

DW suffers from asthma, and I go to great lengths to keep her air quality free of allergens. If you similarly safeguard the air in your brick & mortar home, bear in mind that the RV accumulates dust several times faster!

[JOMARFL (FMCA 401058)]

We make it a monthly to do, clean the filters keep them flowing smoothly.

[Dunner]

In my stick house & MH, I sometimes spray Febreze into the filter to get rid of cooking smells.

[Ragingbull]

x2 on febreze!

[Fred and Bonnie]

One of the big benefits of basement air, I use regular household filters, changing out every month.

fred

[scenic route]

On last summer's trip, I noticed the filters got dirty very quickly...nice to know that it's not that we're old and dusty! We've had to replace the material twice because I was washing them(by hand)so often. I use the black, porous stuff ya get at Home Depot...is that the filter material every one uses or is there something better? Bob

[nosticks]

I buy the Home Depot window unit foam filters and cut to shape. I replace monthly. Also, we both have asthma, so we run a Hepa Air Cleaner continually.

[Ray,IN]

I found the easiest cleaning method for me is compressed air. Remove the foam, blow from the back side of the foam, and it is clean in less that a minute.

[DutchStar38]

I got the Home Depot filter material and cut duplicates out and added them to the existing filters. When I see that they are starting to collect dust then I wash them in scalding hot soap and water, pat dry in a clean cloth and replace.

[TXiceman]

The little filters on RV A/C units typically will need cleaning every 2 to 3 weeks of use (14 to 21 days) in normal use. It is easier to clean the filters than to clean the evaporator coil.

Ken

[Dunner]

I've seen when a stick house filter was left out for years. The AC duct work had to be cut open to clean all of the lint off of the coils. Not cheap.

[historyljc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXiceman The little filters on RV A/C units typically will need cleaning every 2 to 3 weeks of use (14 to 21 days) in normal use. It is easier to clean the filters than to clean the evaporator coil. Ken

I take 'em out, she washes and drys them. We have a spare set to use so we rotate them with each washing. Got the foam material form HD or Lowes. Can't remember which.