How to Clean a Dehumidifier？

Dehumidifiers are perfect solutions if you want to remove extra moisture from the air in your home, workspaces, or any indoor setting. Surely, they will improve the air quality and you don’t need to worry about mold growth. 

To get the best results you need to buy a high-quality unit. Remember simply buying the right device is not enough. You must keep it clean to effectively dehumidify the air.

Even the best dehumidifiers won’t work correctly if you don’t keep them clean.

How to Clean a Dehumidifier Step by Step

Humidifiers, particularly those used for larger spaces like industrial dehumidifiers, have to perform heavy tasks. 

They remove the extra moisture from the air, adjust the air humidity levels, and reduce allergies. Dehumidifiers efficiently stop the growth of internal mold and bacteria inside your home or workspace. They can even dry your clothes.

With so many things, your dehumidifier needs regular maintenance to function properly.

Here is what you need to do step by step:

1. Gather the supplies you need for cleaning

Before you start cleaning your dehumidifier, make sure to gather the tools you need on hand.

You’ll need these:

• Soft microfiber cloth
• A vacuum cleaner
• Mild dish soap
• White vinegar
• Warm water
• A sponge
• A brush

Having all the required things ready will make the cleaning process easier and more efficient.

2. Unplug your unit

Now unplug your dehumidifier. This is important as it will protect to from electrical shocks while cleaning. 

3. Remove the dust from the outside

Use a soft piece of cloth to remove the dust from the outside of your dehumidifier. Gently wipe the exterior from all sides, particularly the air intake grille. This is where your dehumidifier sucks in the air. Most dust accumulates here so you need to focus more on this part while cleaning.

Dehumidifiers like industrial dehumidifiers used in extremely harsh and dirty environments get dirtier from the outside than those used in homes such as portable dehumidifiers. So, you need to clean each type of appliance properly.

4. Disassemble your dehumidifier

The next step is to disassemble your dehumidifier so that you can clean each part effectively. This includes removing the filter, water basin, and other parts depending on the type and model of dehumidifier you use. 

For example, a dehumidifier with drain hose comes with a hose that needs to be detached when cleaning. Make sure that you check the manufacturer's guide to avoid any damage.

5. Clean the filter

The filter actually dehumidifies the air. It's one of the most important components of a dehumidifier. So, if it gets dirty, it affects the efficiency of your dehumidifier.

Here are steps to clean the air filter:

• Use a damp cloth or vacuum clear to remove the dirt.
• Wash your filter in warm, mildly soapy water
• Rinse it thoroughly
• Let it dry completely

Make sure the filter is fully dried before putting it back into your dehumidifier. Keep in mind some dehumidifiers come with the washable filters and some with disposable. So, you have to check the manufacturer's instructions. 

Follow the above steps to clean washable filters at a regular interval. For disposable filters, you may need to replace them every few months depending on your usage.

5. Remove the dirt from  the coils

Next, remove the first from the coils. You can find them close to the filter. Leaving the coils without cleaning for a long time can cause overheating. So, their maintenance is important as well.

How to clean dehumidifier coils? You can use a vacuum cleaner, microfiber, or simply a soft, scrub brush to remove stubborn dirt from the coils. Just take a spray bottle filled with mild soap or white vinegar solutions. Spray the soap or water solution on the coils. Then, start cleaning the coils with a soft brush or cloth and rinse off.

It’s recommended to clean the coils but, make sure you don’t damage your machine.

6. Empty and clean the water tank

The water tank is where the dehumidifier collects all the moisture and water. So you need to empty the water every time you use your machine as stagnant water can cause odor, mold growth, and other microorganisms.

If you empty the water tank regularly, you notice an increase in the efficiency of the dehumidifier.

The water container is very easy to remove and clean. Simply, you can wash it with mild dish soap or a water solution containing white vinegar.

7. Reassemble your unit

Once all the components are thoroughly clean and dry, reassemble your dehumidifier. Make sure everything is in the right place securely before plugging in again. 

Repeat each step above every time you need to clean your dehumidifier.

If you don’t clean regularly. even ultra air dehumidifiers don’t perform well and ultimately stop working completely. So you must clean your dehumidifier for the best results.

Your cleaning becomes more effective if you know how to clean dehumidifier mold. This is also easy. Just use a soft brush to scrub the inside of the water container thoroughly. Rinse out the mild dish detergent. Next, take a spray bottle and add equal parts distilled white vinegar and water to it. Then coat this solution inside the water basin. Doing this disinfects the water tank and prevents the growth of mold, bacteria, or mildew in your dehumidifier.

How to clean a dehumidifier with vinegar?

Some people use a white vinegar solution to clean a dehumidifier, particularly the water container. You can simply wash it with the help of a detergent or water solution.

If you haven’t cleaned your dehumidifier’s water tank for a while, you need a thorough and deep cleaning now. Dirt can be removed easily using a mild dish soap. But to remove the mold build-up effectively, you can use white vinegar.

For a deeper cleaning of the water tank fill it with warm water and a cup of vinegar. Now let the water and vinegar solution sit in for almost an hour. Then, scrub the internal sides of the water tank with the help of a soft brush or sponge.

The next step is to rinse the container thoroughly and let it dry before placing it back into your air dehumidifier.

Moreover, you can also use a vinegar solution to clean other components of your dehumidifier like the coils and filter. Just spray the solution with the help of a spray bottle. Then use a soft microfiber cloth to clean. Rinse off the water properly and let all the parts dry before placing them back into your dehumidifier.

Conclusion

How often should clean your air dehumidifier? Well, this depends on the type of dehumidifier you have, how often you use it, and where it is placed. 

For instance, a dehumidifier for basement used in basements should be cleaned more often than a commercial dehumidifier used in fairly drier environments.

If you have an air dehumidifier in your home and you don’t even use it often, then cleaning it once a month is acceptable.

Keep in mind that the cleaner your dehumidifier is, the more efficient it will be.

For the best experience, always buy the best dehumidifier available in the market. 

If you need any help you can contact us. At AlorairScrubber, we ensure that you get the best services and products. 

Want to know more about us? Explore our website to learn more about us. Feel free to contact us if you have anything to ask.