Cleaning a dehumidifier coil

katy123

Is it safe to use the WD 40 specialist contact cleaner on my dehumidifier coil that has dirt and mould on it? As air passes through a cold coil, water condenses out and collects inside a tank. Many thanks.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WD40-Drying-Contact-Cleaner-250ml/dp/B00KPUBO2S/ref=asc_df_B00KPUBO2S/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=232122755890&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12590049944333011893&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006933&hvtargid=pla-421592033010&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

coffeehound

You can buy special air-conditioning coil cleaner that you spray on to either wet ot dry coils, and it foams up and you then rinse it off.  But as a first try, fairy liquid solution in a spray bottle might work well enough.

katy123

coffeehound said:

You can buy special air-conditioning coil cleaner that you spray on to either wet ot dry coils, and it foams up and you then rinse it off.  But as a first try, fairy liquid solution in a spray bottle might work well enough.

THank you, will try that first.

katy123

coffeehound said:

You can buy special air-conditioning coil cleaner that you spray on to either wet ot dry coils, and it foams up and you then rinse it off.  But as a first try, fairy liquid solution in a spray bottle might work well enough.

Do you know if vinegar would work better?

coffeehound

katy123 said:

coffeehound said:

You can buy special air-conditioning coil cleaner that you spray on to either wet ot dry coils, and it foams up and you then rinse it off.  But as a first try, fairy liquid solution in a spray bottle might work well enough.

Do you know if vinegar would work better?

Might do, but the coils are made of soft magnesium/aluminium alloy and won't like the acidity for long, so it should be rinsed off quickly.  Think I would try washing up liquid first

katy123

coffeehound said:

katy123 said:

coffeehound said:

You can buy special air-conditioning coil cleaner that you spray on to either wet ot dry coils, and it foams up and you then rinse it off.  But as a first try, fairy liquid solution in a spray bottle might work well enough.

Do you know if vinegar would work better?

Might do, but the coils are made of soft magnesium/aluminium alloy and won't like the acidity for long, so it should be rinsed off quickly.  Think I would try washing up liquid first

good point, thank you

Eldi_Dos

I find a IPA spray cleaner useful for things like this, the IPA evaporates off without leaving a residue.

coffeehound

Eldi_Dos said:

I find a IPA spray cleaner useful for things like this, the IPA evaporates off without leaving a residue.

So is that something like 70% alcohol with pure water balance?

Eldi_Dos

coffeehound said:

Eldi_Dos said:

I find a IPA spray cleaner useful for things like this, the IPA evaporates off without leaving a residue.

So is that something like 70% alcohol with pure water balance?

The stuff I have is 90% with 10% water.I keep the main bottle well sealed and at the back of top shelf in cupboard and use a push down dispenser with metal top and a small spray bottle about the size you get spectacle cleaner in for useable amounts,I have found it very useful over the years. When I was on the tools it was the only cleaner we were allowed to use as once cleaned the IPA would evaporate off and leave little residue

katy123

Eldi_Dos said:

coffeehound said:

Eldi_Dos said:

I find a IPA spray cleaner useful for things like this, the IPA evaporates off without leaving a residue.

So is that something like 70% alcohol with pure water balance?

The stuff I have is 90% with 10% water.I keep the main bottle well sealed and at the back of top shelf in cupboard and use a push down dispenser with metal top and a small spray bottle about the size you get spectacle cleaner in for useable amounts,I have found it very useful over the years. When I was on the tools it was the only cleaner we were allowed to use as once cleaned the IPA would evaporate off and leave little residue

Thank you. I've found this in my cupboard, I can pop in a sprayer, but it is 70% alcohol. WOuldn't this damage the metal? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lansilk-500-Isopropyl-Rubbing-Alcohol/dp/B08CCRKBD7/ref=asc_df_B08CCRKBD7/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=430933738486&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9737249347366799422&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006933&hvtargid=pla-941202473495&psc=1&th=1&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=103180007434&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=430933738486&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9737249347366799422&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006933&hvtargid=pla-941202473495

Eldi_Dos

I am not familiar with that product but you could try it on a clean glass first and see if it leaves any residue on glass, make sure you are in a well ventilated area and use only small amounts at a time. If you are still wary of that product the small spray bottles you get to clean glasses and sunglasses contains isopropyl alcohol and does not leave any streaks.
Funny enough was just using IPA this morning to clean out shower head and remove some ink marker from dining table were little one had been colouring in.