So, you've just moved into your apartment, and there's no central air. Instead, there's a handy window AC unit doing its best to keep your new space cool. You probably won't worry about it right away, but cleaning a window AC unit is a necessary task on the seemingly never-ending list of things to do when it comes to living on your own. Keeping an AC unit clean will ensure that it works properly, prevent harmful bacteria from entering your home, and stop any unwanted mold growth on the unit. Since sanitizing a window AC unit is one of those tasks you never, ever worry about until you have to do it, POPSUGAR reached out to experts to help answer the question: what is the best way to clean a window AC unit?

Ideally, window AC units should be fully cleaned biannually. "You should deep clean a window AC unit twice a year," says Michael Rubino, president of All American Restoration, council-certified mold remediator, and author of "The Mold Medic: An Expert's Guide on Mold Removal." "Clean it once before turning it on and once before shutting it down for the season." But this doesn't mean you should neglect the window AC unit on a day-to-day basis. Rubino suggests touching up your window AC unit as part of your weekly or monthly routine. This can include vacuuming the filter and exterior, and wiping down the outside of the machine with hydrogen peroxide.

There are two strategies for cleaning your window AC unit. The first involves using hydrogen peroxide, and the second can be done with cleaners you already have in your home. For the first method, you'll need eight-percent hydrogen peroxide, a vacuum, a screwdriver, and microfiber cloths.

Cleaning a window AC unit can also require just a few supplies you likely already have around your apartment. Lenny Brickowsky, ACHP-certified handyman and consultant at Julieie Salone, provides his method for cleaning a window AC unit using household supplies.

"First, gather the supplies," Brickowsky says. "You will need a bucket for warm, soapy water; a vacuum with a soft-brush attachment; a spray bottle with warm water and two drops of mild dish soap; cloths to wash AC unit; a screwdriver; and a safe place to place the screws and a fin comb, in case you need to straighten coils."

While cleaning your window AC unit, the fins might get bent. If that happens, don't stress. Brickowsky suggests using a handy tool to help put them back in place: "If you see any fins bent, gently straighten them with the fin comb." You can snag this combo fin comb and cleaning brush for $12 on Amazon.

"Cleaning frequently and thoroughly not only helps ensure the machine runs correctly and extends its shelf life, but it's also crucial for avoiding mold growth in the machine," Rubino says. Keeping this mold growth at bay is important for your health, he notes: "Once a colony is established, it will start releasing microscopic spores into the air, which will then get blown all throughout the room."

Rubino offers a few handy solutions for mold-growth prevention in and on your window AC unit. "Maintain indoor humidity between 30 percent to 50 percent," he says. "Any higher, and mold can form." Keeping up with the replacement of your AC filter is another simple way to prevent mold growth. Finally, check your window AC unit's settings. "Turn on the humidity setting," Rubino says. "If the machine has this setting, always opt for it."

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