Bosch Home Comfort Japan Conducts Survey on AC Cleaning and Mid-Year 'Han-misoka' Cleaning
Bosch Home Comfort Japan surveyed 500 people regarding household challenges and cleaning habits during the rainy season. While concerns over AC odors and mold are prevalent, over 70% of respondents do not take preventive measures, primarily due to a lack of knowledge on how to clean them.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 3, 2026 at 01:27
- 🔍 Collected: June 2, 2026 at 16:35
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 18:24 (1h 49m after Collected)
The top challenge during the rainy season is 'laundry not drying.' Issues related to the indoor environment, such as 'difficulty in humidity management,' 'lingering damp smells,' and 'mold growth,' were also highly ranked.
Regarding odors during the rainy season, 'air conditioners' were the primary concern. There is a tendency that the younger the generation, the more they worry about odors and mold in air conditioners.
Over 70% of people do not take measures against AC odors and mold during the rainy season. The primary reason cited is 'not knowing how to clean it.'
Although about 90% of respondents were unaware of 'Han-misoka' (mid-year) cleaning, about half were interested in cleaning on this occasion. More than half identified the 'air conditioner' as the priority place for odor and mold control during this time.
Bosch Home Comfort Japan (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) conducted the 'Survey on Air Conditioner Cleaning and Han-misoka during the Rainy Season' from March 13 (Fri) to March 16 (Mon), 2026, targeting 500 people (50 men and 50 women in each generation from 20s to 60s) nationwide.
The company, which develops and manufactures the Hitachi 'Shirokuma-kun' room air conditioner, investigated consumer awareness and actual practices ahead of the rainy season. The rainy season is a time when household discomfort easily peaks due to laundry not drying and concerns about indoor humidity, mold, and odors. Despite high interest in AC odors and mold, the survey revealed that over 70% of people are not taking action. Additionally, when asked about awareness of 'Han-misoka' cleaning at the end of June, the mid-point of the year from the year-end 'Oosouji' (major cleaning), while awareness was low, a certain segment perceived this as a positive opportunity for cleaning.
* 'Han-misoka' small cleaning in this release refers to more extensive cleaning than usual performed at the end of June, the six-month milestone from the year-end cleaning.
* 'Han-misoka' refers to the last day of June, marking exactly half the year from New Year's Day to New Year's Eve.
Survey Background:
Every year, from June to July, the rainy season causes many challenges that impair daily comfort, such as 'laundry not drying' and 'damp indoor environments.' This period also presents a high risk of odors and mold due to increased humidity. We conducted this survey to clarify consumer awareness regarding rainy season challenges and cleaning, and the hurdles they face.
1. The top rainy season challenge is 'laundry not drying.' Indoor environment issues like 'difficulty in humidity control,' 'damp smells,' and 'mold growth' are highly ranked.
When asked about rainy season challenges, nearly half (49.6%) cited 'laundry not drying' as the top issue. Following this were 'damp indoor environments/difficulty in humidity management' (38.6%), 'damp smells' (30.2%), and 'mold growth' (29.2%).
2. The main concern for odors during the rainy season is 'air conditioners.' Younger generations are more concerned about AC odors and mold.
When asked about areas of concern for odors and mold during the rainy season, different trends emerged. For 'odors,' the air conditioner (24.2%) was the most cited, with a trend showing younger people being more concerned. This was followed by the bathroom (18.6%) and the toilet (14.8%). Conversely, for mold, the bathroom (36.4%) was the primary concern, followed by the air conditioner (22.0%). Even with mold, younger generations showed a higher tendency to be concerned about the AC.
3. Over 70% of people do not take measures against AC odors and mold during the rainy season. The reason is 'not knowing how to clean.'
While many respondents were concerned about AC odors and mold, when asked if they take measures against them, 73.2% said 'no,' highlighting the status quo where many are concerned but take no action. Regarding the reason for not taking action, 'not knowing how to clean it' was the most common (41.8%), surpassing 'it's troublesome' (32.0%).
Areas of the air conditioner that can be maintained at home include the exterior, front panel, flaps (louvers/wind direction plates), air filters, dust box, filter cleaning unit, and the area around the outdoor unit.
Regarding odors during the rainy season, 'air conditioners' were the primary concern. There is a tendency that the younger the generation, the more they worry about odors and mold in air conditioners.
Over 70% of people do not take measures against AC odors and mold during the rainy season. The primary reason cited is 'not knowing how to clean it.'
Although about 90% of respondents were unaware of 'Han-misoka' (mid-year) cleaning, about half were interested in cleaning on this occasion. More than half identified the 'air conditioner' as the priority place for odor and mold control during this time.
Bosch Home Comfort Japan (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) conducted the 'Survey on Air Conditioner Cleaning and Han-misoka during the Rainy Season' from March 13 (Fri) to March 16 (Mon), 2026, targeting 500 people (50 men and 50 women in each generation from 20s to 60s) nationwide.
The company, which develops and manufactures the Hitachi 'Shirokuma-kun' room air conditioner, investigated consumer awareness and actual practices ahead of the rainy season. The rainy season is a time when household discomfort easily peaks due to laundry not drying and concerns about indoor humidity, mold, and odors. Despite high interest in AC odors and mold, the survey revealed that over 70% of people are not taking action. Additionally, when asked about awareness of 'Han-misoka' cleaning at the end of June, the mid-point of the year from the year-end 'Oosouji' (major cleaning), while awareness was low, a certain segment perceived this as a positive opportunity for cleaning.
* 'Han-misoka' small cleaning in this release refers to more extensive cleaning than usual performed at the end of June, the six-month milestone from the year-end cleaning.
* 'Han-misoka' refers to the last day of June, marking exactly half the year from New Year's Day to New Year's Eve.
Survey Background:
Every year, from June to July, the rainy season causes many challenges that impair daily comfort, such as 'laundry not drying' and 'damp indoor environments.' This period also presents a high risk of odors and mold due to increased humidity. We conducted this survey to clarify consumer awareness regarding rainy season challenges and cleaning, and the hurdles they face.
1. The top rainy season challenge is 'laundry not drying.' Indoor environment issues like 'difficulty in humidity control,' 'damp smells,' and 'mold growth' are highly ranked.
When asked about rainy season challenges, nearly half (49.6%) cited 'laundry not drying' as the top issue. Following this were 'damp indoor environments/difficulty in humidity management' (38.6%), 'damp smells' (30.2%), and 'mold growth' (29.2%).
2. The main concern for odors during the rainy season is 'air conditioners.' Younger generations are more concerned about AC odors and mold.
When asked about areas of concern for odors and mold during the rainy season, different trends emerged. For 'odors,' the air conditioner (24.2%) was the most cited, with a trend showing younger people being more concerned. This was followed by the bathroom (18.6%) and the toilet (14.8%). Conversely, for mold, the bathroom (36.4%) was the primary concern, followed by the air conditioner (22.0%). Even with mold, younger generations showed a higher tendency to be concerned about the AC.
3. Over 70% of people do not take measures against AC odors and mold during the rainy season. The reason is 'not knowing how to clean.'
While many respondents were concerned about AC odors and mold, when asked if they take measures against them, 73.2% said 'no,' highlighting the status quo where many are concerned but take no action. Regarding the reason for not taking action, 'not knowing how to clean it' was the most common (41.8%), surpassing 'it's troublesome' (32.0%).
Areas of the air conditioner that can be maintained at home include the exterior, front panel, flaps (louvers/wind direction plates), air filters, dust box, filter cleaning unit, and the area around the outdoor unit.
FAQ
梅雨の時期の困りごとの第1位は何ですか？
調査の結果、第1位は「洗濯物が乾かない」（49.6%）でした。
梅雨の時期にエアコンのニオイ・カビ対策をしない主な理由は何ですか？
最多の理由は「掃除の仕方がわからないから」（41.8%）で、次いで「面倒くさいから」（32.0%）となっています。
梅雨の時期に「エアコン」のニオイが気になる人はどのような傾向がありますか？
年代が若い人ほど「エアコン」のニオイやカビを気にする傾向が見られました。
「半晦日小掃除」とは何ですか？
歳末の大掃除から半年の節目となる6月末に行う、普段よりは大がかりな掃除を指します。
調査対象は何名ですか？
全国の20代から60代の男女、各年代50名ずつ計500名を対象に実施されました。