Airbnb in Cotroceni – guests complain in reviews about the AC smell. How often do I clean?
This page explains a situation in an editorial format. It is not an open discussion board or a verified customer review. Contact us on WhatsApp about your own appliance.
I have an Airbnb in Cotroceni, a large studio, 9,000 BTU Gree in the room, 3 years old. In summer it is booked 25 days a month. In the last two months I have three reviews mentioning 'mouldy smell from the air conditioner'. The cleaner sprays after each guest. What do I do and how often?
What is really happening
In an Airbnb the unit does in three months what yours at home does in two years: hours of continuous condensation, doors opening and closing, showers with the door open, aggressive set temperatures, so a permanently wet evaporator and fast biofilm. Mould smell is treated in the literature as an indicator of active microbial growth, and guests smell it from the door because they come from outside and are not used to it like you. See current rates on the Prices page.
- Deposits or moisture inside the unit.
- The condensate drainage route.
- Sources within the room, assessed separately.
- Mould odour is treated by WHO and epidemiological studies as an indicator of active microbial growth, even when nothing is visible. [PLOS ONE, 2012]
- The 'dirty sock' or musty smell from an air conditioner comes from volatile organic compounds produced by microbial biofilm on the evaporator and blower. [Current Microbiology, 2000]
- The blower (cross-flow fan) is the most fungus-contaminated component of a split unit, more than the filter or the front of the evaporator. [Indoor Air, 2023]
- EPA warns that the effectiveness of biocides sprayed into air systems has not been demonstrated and their health effects are uncertain. [US EPA, 2024]
What we do on site
- We come between two bookings, in the check-out/check-in window (we need about 1.5 hours).
- Sealed double cover, hose to the bucket, foil on the bed; alkaline cleaner, adjustable pressure wash of evaporator, roller, pan and hose; sanitising.
- Outdoor unit washed in place.
- Drying on 'Fan' with the window open 20 minutes, so the next guest walks into a neutral room.
- We send you the before/after photos on WhatsApp – also useful as a public reply to reviews. See current rates on the Prices page.
What you can do yourself
- The cleaner: filters washed weekly, 3 minutes; 'Fan' for 20 minutes at every turnover.
- Put '24 °C recommended' in the guest guide; it cuts condensation.
- Leave a card 'AC sanitised on [date]' – guests like it.
What NOT to do
- Drop the spray after each guest; a chemical smell is still a smell.
- Do not put a plug-in air freshener under the unit – the mix is even worse.
Prevention
Airbnb rhythm: full clean at the start of the season and mid-season; filters weekly; 'Fan' at every turnover.
When to call us
WhatsApp 0764 012 943 with your booking calendar and we will find the window; Monday–Saturday 08:00–20:00, Cotroceni is central.
Related threads
Smoking indoors – the unit has a yellow layer; how often does it need cleaning?
Explanations and useful checks for this situation: Smoking indoors – the unit has a yellow layer; how often does it need cleaning?
I wash the filters monthly – does that mean the unit is clean?
Explanations and useful checks for this situation: I wash the filters monthly – does that mean the unit is clean?
15-year-old unit, never cleaned inside – worth cleaning or should I replace it?
Explanations and useful checks for this situation: 15-year-old unit, never cleaned inside – worth cleaning or should I replace it?
After renovation, the unit blows white dust and cools poorly – needs cleaning or is it broken?
Explanations and useful checks for this situation: After renovation, the unit blows white dust and cools poorly – needs cleaning or is it broken?
What should a complete air conditioner cleaning include?
Explanations and useful checks for this situation: See current rates on the Prices page.
I read that air conditioners are 'reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant bacteria' – is that real?
Explanations and useful checks for this situation: I read that air conditioners are 'reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant bacteria' – is that real?
Sources (11)
- journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0047526
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK143940/
- link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s002840010120
- link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s002849900435
- pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6968652/
- onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2023/8984619
- www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/should-you-have-air-ducts-your-home-cleaned
- web-manual.dit-daikin.com/ra/en/cleaning_filters/
- www.manualslib.com/manual/3613226/Mitsubishi-Electric-Msz-Ln18vg2w.html?page=7
- www.lg.com/africa/support/product-help/CT20080060-20153301478951
- www.manualslib.com/manual/1236787/Panasonic-Cs-Vu12skq.html?page=13
The information on this page is educational and based on cited sources; it does not replace medical advice. We do not do repairs, installation or refrigerant circuit work.