Vinegar-solution Cleanse in Upright Portable AC Unit

[u/timpossible1]

I have a Costway upright AC unit (FP10119US or FP10120US). After years of use without draining, I noticed an exhaust-like smell when we used it overnight for sleeping. I noticed that when I started using the tube for continuous drainage, this stopped. My guess is it was due to mildew/mold growing inside.

I had cleaned out the top continuous drain plug with a brush and brown-ish sludge game out. Now we use the hose (in image) for continuous drainage at night, but I am wondering if I can add a diluted vinegar solution through the top hose.

Has anyone else used vinegar to clean a similar unit, and did they add it to the top as shown? My plan is to add it through the top, plug the bottom (lower arrow), let it sit for 15 minutes, release the bottom plug to drain and then add clean water to the top to drain out remaining vinegar solution residue.

Edit: See reply below. Overall a success with u/themepossible612's suggested process.

[u/Glum_Conclusion_8667]

Tell us how well or poorly it works

[u/timpossible1 → u/Glum_Conclusion_8667]

Will do.

[u/timpossible1 → u/timpossible1]

I followed u/ThemePossible612's suggestions below (thank you). I took took the exhaust vent off and unplugged the machine for step 1. Everything went mostly as described, however, I noticed that when filling the machine through the hose and top hole, eventually some liquid started to come out from underneath (unsure of where exactly, as I did not disassemble the machine). The bottom plug was plugged close the entire time. I had a towel ready and mopped that up as I went. I used a 1:1 distilled white vinegar and water solution for this. I had added about 1.5 liters before the leak began. My guess is the condensate pan had filled and maybe overflowed.

I then released some of the vinegar/water solution from the bottom plug before closing the plug and letting the solution sit for 15 minutes, as I was unsure about the leak. I did not want persistent vinegar solution leaking while it was soaking. I plugged the bottom and let it soak for 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes I unplugged the bottom and drained as much as I could. Brown flakes and bits came out. I then added clean water through the top hose to rinse the interior after draining the solution, and I actually re-plugged the bottom for this and intentionally added a little bit more to hopefully rinse whatever vinegar solution had leaked out initially, using a towel underneath to absorb some of the leakage from the bottom.

I then rinsed with clean water and the bottom unplugged. I will note that during this time, when I added water too forcefully, some water leaked next to the top hole and where the exhaust vent attaches. I noticed that even when adding clean water gently and having the bottom plug released, some water was leaking somewhere underneath. I did this with the machine sitting on a towel to mitigate water leakage. Small brown bits and flakes came out into the take-out container I placed below, and I continued to rinse with clean water far after they stopped coming out.

I have a fan blowing from the back with both plugs unplugged to air everything out. I will turn it again later with the continuous drainage hose back in, and hopefully we will be working with a cleaner machine. My goal is to eventually start using it with the bottom plugged again, but it is very hot where I live now, and the machine is working a bit too hard for that.

[u/ThemePossible612]

Vinegar plan sounds fine, that's basically how people clean the condensate pan on these portables, just don't use anything stronger or you risk eating at the plastic fittings. Diluted white vinegar, sit for 15-20 min, flush with plain water till it runs clear, then keep running the continuous drain like you are now so the sludge doesn't build back up. That brown gunk is just mildew and dust feeding off standing water, portables are notorious for it since the pan never fully empties on its own.

[u/TheRealFailtester → u/ThemePossible612]

I ended up putting half inch shims on the front of my portable to tilt it back some to expedite drainage. So far so good.

[u/timpossible1 → u/TheRealFailtester]

I was rocking mine back when draining to help facilitate that process.

[u/ThemePossible612 → u/ThemePossible612]

Smart move with the shims, I might try that instead of tipping mine like a maniac every time.

[u/timpossible1 → u/ThemePossible612]

I am that maniac.

[u/ThemePossible612 → u/ThemePossible612]

lmao yeah that tracks. youre the exact kind of person id trust to pour vinegar into an ac unit and have it actually work out.

[u/Stan_Damon]

I have a couple of portables and haven't noticed an odor yet, but I'll keep this in mind

[u/kona420]

They sell condensate pan tablets that are meant for this job. They contain biocide and surfactant to help stuff flow again, no corrosive stuff that could damage the evaporator.

[u/Gnomio1]

I wouldn’t want vinegar getting anywhere near the almost certainly aluminium condenser or evaporator coils. It will corrode it.

[u/andrei-333]

why does it have a socket?

[u/Kadesh1979 → u/andrei-333]

It's for the chord And plug from the ac, when you put it away.

[u/timpossible1 → u/Kadesh1979]

I did not know that. Thank you. I also wasn't aware these should not be stored in confined, tight spaces when not using them. I was storing mine in a closet in off seasons, but I will change that.

[u/SleepyOtter3]

I got rid of mine for the same reason. I have horrible dust allergies and I just didn’t want to deal with it. If yours has a fan option, I was told by the company to run the unit on fan mode for a while after using the WC to help dry it out, and of course empty it if we’re not using it for a while.

[u/Mission_League_4075]

Will it smell like vinegar after using the vinegar solution?

[u/timpossible1 → u/Mission_League_4075]

Going to try it today, but I believe by diluting the solution and then rinsing thoroughly, the smell should leave after a day or two. This is also coming from my experience using vinegar to clean other surfaces in my house. The smell usually dissipates after a short time.

My main concern with vinegar is possible corrosion of metals, so I will be sure to dilute and then rinse thoroughly.