Summertime is the perfect season for homeowners who want to keep their homes cool and comfortable without spending a lot of money on air conditioning. One appliance that can help make this happen is the dehumidifier.

Dehumidifiers pull moisture out of the air, making it less humid and therefore more comfortable to be in. However, like any other appliance, dehumidifiers need to be cleaned occasionally in order to keep them running efficiently.

In this blog post, we’ll show you how to clean your dehumidifier using easy methods that won’t take up a lot of your time. Let’s get started!

How to clean Dehumidifier?

Although it may be obvious to some, proper cleaning is essential to keep your Dehumidifier running efficiently. Here are the right ways on how to clean your Dehumidifier.

1. Unplug Dehumidifier

Most dehumidifiers contain a tank that catches water as it’s pulled out of the air. There is usually a float switch, which activates this tank and drains the humid water into the bucket or reservoir.

Before you start cleaning your dehumidifier, make sure to unplug it and let it cool down first.

• Use a soft cloth or towel to dry out any remaining water in the tank before you clean it.
• If there are stains, use diluted bleach applied with a sponge for best results. If mildew is present, use undiluted bleach instead of water that could cause damage to the rubber components.
• It’s important to clean the tank and reservoir regularly because they can harbor mildew, which can cause damage or break down rubber parts over time.

2. How to Clean Dehumidifier Filter

The air filter should be cleaned frequently for a dehumidifier to function properly. If you let it accumulate too much dust and debris, there is a chance that it could get clogged, making your dehumidifier unable to absorb any excess humidity.

A dirty air filter will also reduce the performance of your unit because it can increase energy consumption.

So before you clean the reservoir and tank, make sure to clean the air filter first. You can easily do this by using a bristled brush and vacuum.

To clean the dehumidifier’s filter, first, unplug and remove it from your unit, then tap or shake it to remove any excess dirt particles. Then use a cloth soaked in water to wipe the filter completely before letting it dry out at room temperature overnight.

Make sure that you change your dehumidifier filter regularly for the best results.

3. Clean Drain Pans

Some dehumidifiers have a water drip pan that is removable, while others have one that is built into the unit itself. In most cases, this drain pan collects excess humidity from your room and releases it into the reservoir or tank where you can easily remove it.

When it’s time to clean the drain pan, make sure that you first disconnect your dehumidifier from its power source and let it cool down before doing anything else.

Then you can simply wipe out any excess dirt using a soft cloth or towel. If there are stains on the container, use warm water and mild soap for best results.

Make sure that you do this every time you clean the reservoir or tank to maintain the efficiency of your unit and avoid any buildup of mildew which can be a cause for concern over time.

4. Clean Filter Screen

The filter screen is usually located on top of the air filter assembly or in its vicinity. This screen prevents any dirt and dust from entering your dehumidifier, thus increasing its life span.

The air filter usually sits on top of the screen and prevents any large debris like spider webs or droppings from clogging up your appliance’s components and causing it to malfunction.

Make sure that you clean the air filter by tapping or shaking it first, then use a soft cloth or sponge soaked in water to wipe the filter screen before you let it dry at room temperature for an hour.

After letting it air dry overnight, simply put your air filter assembly back into its proper place. This process will save you time and energy, ensuring that your dehumidifier operates like a new one.

How to Clean Dehumidifier With Vinegar?

Vinegar is a natural ingredient that can help you clean a lot of things around your home, including the dehumidifier. However, there are a few important things to keep in mind which we’ve outlined below:

Always remember to unplug and let your appliance cool down before doing anything else. This will prevent accidents from occurring which is always a concern when you’re dealing with electricity and water.

Make sure that your vinegar solution doesn’t contain any ingredients other than distilled white vinegar. If it does, this can cause damage to the rubber components of your unit over time which will force you to buy a new one.

1. Pour about ½ cup of distilled white vinegar into a cup of water and mix well. You can use more or less of this solution depending on the size and model of your dehumidifier so make sure to do some trial and error before you get started just to be on the safe side.
2. Fill up the reservoir with your vinegar solution, then run the unit for about 30 minutes.
3. Now turn off the dehumidifier and unplug it, then let it air dry overnight at room temperature before you plug it in again.
4. This process will help clean your machine from any mildew or debris which can significantly reduce its performance over time despite how small it may be.

Note: If you’re using vinegar to clean your dehumidifier, then make sure that the unit is turned off before you do so. Vinegar alone can cause damage to rubber components that are sensitive to chemicals, so it’s best not to risk anything at all.

How to Clean Dehumidifier Bucket?

There are many models of dehumidifiers that operate using a bucket instead of the reservoir design. These buckets usually need to be removed to empty them, but you can clean them by simply following these steps:

First, remove the bucket from the dehumidifier then put it into your sink or bathtub.

Make sure that you use chemical-free soap or dishwashing liquid.

Pour warm water into the bucket and let it sit for 1 hour to loosen up any dirt or debris that might be stuck onto its walls.

Now take a soft brush like a toothbrush and scrub the inside of the dehumidifier’s bucket as well as its lid. You can also use a wooden or plastic spoon if you don’t want to get your hands dirty.

Make sure that you rinse the bucket with warm water and let it air dry in a well-ventilated area, preferably outside.

You can even put a few drops of essential oil into the bucket before running it through the cleaning process so that your dehumidifier’s bucket smells like lavender or mint.

How to Clean Dehumidifier Bottoms?

If your unit has a base tray, then it needs to be cleaned regularly just as you would clean the filter screen and the reservoir tank.

This is where water usually accumulates after being processed by your appliance so it’s important that you clean it on a regular basis.

Even though this process is simple, it’s usually placed last since the other parts of your dehumidifier are more significant in terms of overall functionality.

You can use any cleaning solution that’s safe to be used with your machine’s components but make sure not to use vinegar because this can cause damage to rubber components over time which will force you to buy a new unit.

Remove the base tray from your dehumidifier, then take it outdoors or near your bathtub so that you can clean it with ease.

Make sure to wear protective gloves in case chemicals are involved when cleaning this part of your machine.

Pour a small amount of cleaning solution into the base tray, then use a sponge or soft brush to scrub away any dirt and debris which can potentially affect how your unit works.

It’s best to let the base tray air dry for an hour before you put it back inside so that mold will never be able to grow on it again.

What happens if you don’t clean a dehumidifier?

Seems like you are too lazy to clean your dehumidifier for months…Now what?

If you won’t clean your dehumidifier then it will cause damage to the dehumidifier and can even damage your health due to the high quantity of dust.

How often should you clean your dehumidifier?

Dehumidifiers are only taken out of the storeroom during summers. So, you could clean your dehumidifier every 3 months. And in winters, when you think about cleaning it…you can’t remember how long ago was the last time you cleaned it.

Wrapping Up

If you clean the dehumidifier regularly then it can work properly for a longer time. So, in order to protect your dehumidifier and yourself; make sure that you follow what we said in this article.

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