Simple green for AC coils?

[SC Maintenance]

I usually use the spray cans you buy at hardware stores, but I read on simple Green's site they say to use it for AC coils?

Anyone have feedback - suggestions? If yes, what concentration.

Its a 10 year old standard Lennox Central Air unit?

Simple Green Household Cleaning Site

Simple Green | US | Household | Outdoors | Air Conditioner CoilsLearn about Simple Green's full line of environmentally safer household cleaning products. Discounts, cleaning tips, reviews, special offers and more.

simplegreen.com

 

[gathermewool]

I prefer vinegar in a spray bottle for the evaporator. Then I spray distilled water after the vinegar has sat for a while.

I have also used Simple Green, though I thought it was corrosive to Al. I’ll have to look that up later.

 

[Vil_Riker]

Pricey but a specialized product

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007I7KZN0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Hall]

I thought Simple Green was a bit on the harsher side so I'd have thought maybe not to use it on soft metals like coils. It's pH can go up to 9.2 so as long as you don't leave it on (too long ?) and fully rinse it off, it's probably okay.

 

[Racer4]

I use simple green to clean both my outside units. It works well and did a good job.Mixed it in a pump sprayer and spray inside and out. Yes always rinse well after about 30 minutes .

 

[JMJNet]

Depends, if you have cleaned it at least once per year, you can just use a solution of dish soap or any soapy cleaner.
If you have not washed it for 10 years, then use stronger cleaner like Simple Green or Nu Calgon Coil cleaner.

 

[Fitter30]

Don't recommend coil cleaner on condensers unless their greasy or oilly.
Don't care how much their rinsed there still some that is left. Acid cleaners like Nu calgon shine the aluminum up but it take some of the metal fins off and make them thinner. Wash coils with acid three or four times fins lose most of their strength. Bottle brush style coils low pressure only no nozzle.

 

[brianl703]

Last time I bought coil cleaner at Home Depot, it smelled like glass cleaner (Windex or the foaming stuff in the spray can) so I looked at the MSDS.

Yep.

Same ingredients. Glass cleaner is cheaper.

 

[Dave Hess]

Last time I bought coil cleaner at Home Depot, it smelled like glass cleaner (Windex or the foaming stuff in the spray can) so I looked at the MSDS.

Yep.

Same ingredients. Glass cleaner is cheaper.

More concentrated than Windex ?

 

[brianl703]

More concentrated than Windex ?

It might have been. I think Windex or the Sprayway Foaming Glass Cleaner in the can would've worked as well.

 

[Hall]

so I looked at the MSDS.

An SDS isn't an ingredient listing though

 

[brianl703]

An SDS isn't an ingredient listing though

It isn't, but when it lists 2-Butoxyethanol and you look it up, it's pretty clear it's what's doing the cleaning.

 

[Lubener]

I usually use the spray cans you buy at hardware stores, but I read on simple Green's site they say to use it for AC coils?

Anyone have feedback - suggestions? If yes, what concentration.

Its a 10 year old standard Lennox Central Air unit?

Simple Green Household Cleaning Site

Simple Green | US | Household | Outdoors | Air Conditioner CoilsLearn about Simple Green's full line of environmentally safer household cleaning products. Discounts, cleaning tips, reviews, special offers and more.

simplegreen.com

I just gently rinse mine once a month with plain old water. Simple green will be fine, it's gentle. Last time a tech used cleaner on mine, half the paint was removed off the fins.

 

[97prizm]

I prefer vinegar in a spray bottle for the evaporator. Then I spray distilled water after the vinegar has sat for a while.

I have also used Simple Green, though I thought it was corrosive to Al. I’ll have to look that up later.

I wouldn't use Simple Green on A/C coils. I etched wheels on one of my previous vehicles when I sprayed Simple Green on them. Hvac coils are kind of specialized I'd use a coil cleaner and call it a day.

 

[hrv]

I prefer vinegar in a spray bottle for the evaporator. Then I spray distilled water after the vinegar has sat for a while.

I have also used Simple Green, though I thought it was corrosive to Al. I’ll have to look that up later.

You have to be careful with Simple Green on some AL. It will cause some pitting and leave stain marks on some... I would not use it...Just get a can of AC coil cleaner and play it safe...

 

[thescreensavers]

Pricey but a specialized product

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007I7KZN0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

HD sells a similar product for $7, that's what I've used.

 

[gathermewool]

I wouldn't use Simple Green on A/C coils. I etched wheels on one of my previous vehicles when I sprayed Simple Green on them. Hvac coils are kind of specialized I'd use a coil cleaner and call it a day.

Luckily I haven’t done it on any of my newer AC units. I haven’t used it on the two larger units in around five years. No issues so far *fingers crossed*

The Evan never gets too dirty, anyway. The vinegar and then distilled rinse seems to work really well.

 

[gathermewool]

You have to be careful with Simple Green on some AL. It will cause some pitting and leave stain marks on some... I would not use it...Just get a can of AC coil cleaner and play it safe...

Thanks for that. I’ll have to research whether vinegar is even safe enough again. IIRC, it was fine when I researched it way back when I started using it. With the short contact time (5-10 min) and then water rinse I’m not too concerned.

 

[PimTac]

When I had my units cleaned in the other house they used water and plain Tide powder laundry detergent. They used a low set pressure washer to both apply and rinse off. It seemed to work just fine.