How to clean very dirty wall AC unit?

What floor are you on?

sounds like the casing the AC sits in is compromised -- shouldn't allow leaves into your home -- can you pressure wash the case - it should unscrew and you can see where there may be broken vanes or gaps where leaves/trash etc. can blow in

I agree! There is something wrong with the unit. The outside is sealed from the inside. You should not be getting any leaves or anything from the outside. You need to talk to the landlord. It may need to be replaced.

If it really is a health issue, suggest taking a medical record to the landlord and pleading with them to repair the unit or at least take a look at what is going on. Keep a record of your requests with dates of your contacts with the landlord and what was said each time. Hopefully, you can talk some sense into the landlord. Summer is coming and you'll need to use the A/C more and more!

Well, I googled cleaning air conditioners, and I’ve just watched a couple of videos about this. My advice is to get estimates from HomeAdvisor.com or thumbtack.com or angieslist.com professional and pay to have the thing thoroughly cleaned professionally, inside and out.

Get those estimates and also find out what it will cost to get a new one installed (With your landlords permission).

One of the videos showed how to clean the inside access, easy reach, but most suggested pulling it out of the wall to clean the coils, etc. Yikes!

Spring has just begun. It could be a long nasty summer. What are your health, well-being and medications worth?

AC units are pretty reasonably priced. Personally, we’re fans of using smaller local dealers with their own installation guys. If the units not terribly old,

then it could be worth having it cleaned.

I wish I could offer you an easy solution.

Sorry you are having to deal with this.

Im so sorry.

Google “cleaning an in-wall air conditioner.” The first video might help. The second is a very determined lady. I don’t know if you want to go that far. Maybe if you get really angry, but it looks to make a mess of her wall too.

As for outside, maybe you could a friend with an outdoor or car vac to clean up any leaves/dirt that may be blocking air flow.

Make your self a change jar devoted to saving for a new ac. Good luck.

Another option if it is well caged in, is to purchase a new inexpensive one, and put the old crappy one back when you move.