Cleaning your dehumidifier
Nobody likes having extra cleaning tasks shoved on them, but if you own a dehumidifier, you’re going to need to clean it. If you don’t clean your dehumidifier, mold can build up inside, leading to reduced air quality. What’s more, if too much gunk builds up in the system, it can block integral parts of the machine, reducing its efficiency and eventually stopping it from working altogether.
Luckily, it’s easy to learn how to clean a dehumidifier. Your model’s manual will contain precise cleaning instructions, but most dehumidifiers are similar, so it’s no problem if you don’t have it on hand.
How often should I clean my dehumidifier?
Different parts of a dehumidifier need cleaning at different intervals. The tank that collects water from the air needs the most frequent cleaning — a quick wipe-down once a month should prevent dirt and bacteria from forming a slimy coating inside. The air filter should either be cleaned or replaced (depending on the type of filter) twice a year, while the grilles only need a thorough cleaning once a year. How often to clean the exterior is up to the individual, as it’s more about aesthetics than performance, but many people choose to give it a quick once over monthly when they clean the water tank.
How to clean a dehumidifier
Below are all the steps you need to take to clean your dehumidifier thoroughly, although you won’t need to clean every part of the dehumidifier every time. If your dehumidifier is moldy or has a significant build-up of gunk, we’d recommend wearing a mask while you clean it.
Defrost the coils
Start by unplugging your dehumidifier a couple of hours before you want to clean it. This gives the coils time to defrost — they get extremely cold while the dehumidifier is running and can become icy. If they’ve frosted up, the coils will drip extra water while they defrost. It’s best to do this task before you start cleaning so the tank will catch these drips.
Take it apart
If you’ve neglected cleaning your dehumidifier for a little while and want to give it a thorough clean, start by taking it apart. Ensure the unit is switched off and unplugged from the power outlet and remove the tank, filters, and any other parts that you can disassemble. If in doubt, consult the manual to find out how to take it apart. While in its disassembled state, you might want to take the opportunity to remove dust or debris from inside the unit using a dry microfiber cleaning cloth.
Clean the exterior
You can also use a dry cloth to wipe the outside casing of your dehumidifier — in most cases, this is enough to remove any dust built up on the exterior. However, if there’s any stubborn dust or dirt on the outside of the unit, you can use a slightly damp cloth to remove it. Never spray water onto your dehumidifier or use too wet a cloth as this could damage the electric components. Also, avoid using solvents or other cleaning products on the exterior as there’s a chance that they could ruin the finish.
Clean the grilles
The air intake and exhaust grilles don’t need cleaning often, but you should give them a good clean once a year or if you notice any kind of blockage. Some dehumidifiers come with a vacuum attachment that you can use to clean the grilles; otherwise, you can use any upholstery attachment or small bristled attachment that attaches to your vacuum cleaner. If you wait too long to clean the grille, it can get blocked with dust, fine pet hair, and other debris, which stops your dehumidifier from running efficiently.
Clean the tank
Unless your unit runs straight down a drain, your dehumidifier will have a draining tank that needs to be emptied. If you clean this monthly, it should never get too dirty, which means you’ll only need to give it a quick wipe down rather than a thorough scrub. You can choose from a range of cleaning solutions to spruce up your dehumidifier tank. You can clean the interior of the tank with a simple mixture of water and gentle dish soap, such as Seventh Generation Dish Liquid Soap. Just wipe over the interior with your cleaning solution, leave it to soak or scrub with a toothbrush if there’s lots of grime.
If you want to keep things natural, a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar — such as Lucy’s Distilled White Vinegar — makes a great cleaning solution. It has natural antimicrobial properties to help remove mold and fungi. That said, if you have a serious mold problem in your dehumidifier’s tank, diluted household bleach is a better option. Evolve Concentrated Bleach Tablets are less messy and take up less storage space than conventional liquid bleach, and they’re easy to dilute by simply dissolving them in more water.
Clean the air filter
The air filter is responsible for trapping dust and other allergens from the environment to prevent them from being recycled into your clean air. Some dehumidifiers have permanent air filters, while others have disposable filters that need changing every 6-12 months. If your dehumidifier’s air filter is washable, remove it from the unit and rinse it thoroughly under the tap until the water runs clear. Leave the filter in a sunny spot to dry before putting it back in the machine. Consult the manual or do a quick internet search if you’re unsure whether your filter is washable or disposable.
Lauren Corona is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
