How to Clean Your Dehumidifier

Southern Victoria’s climate can lead to plenty of humidity in the hot summer months, especially after a big storm. Dehumidifiers are an ideal way of controlling the humidity levels within the home, so they’re excellent to have on standby for a variety of reasons.

Not only do dehumidifiers make our living spaces far more comfortable and allow us to relax in peace without having our clothes sticking to our skin, they’re also ideal for reducing the chances for mould to fester and grow in carpeted areas and elsewhere within the home.

As with all household appliances, dehumidifiers are prone to breaking down and malfunctioning over time. Similar to washers, dryers, and refrigerators, for instance, dehumidifiers should be kept clean and tidy to keep them working well into their usable lifespan. Below are a few tips to help you clean your dehumidifier:

Shut off the Demudifier

Before effecting repairs, maintenance, or cleaning on your dehumidifier, ensure that it is completely powered off and unplugged from the electrical socket. The same can be said of nearly any other appliance that is powered electrically, but keep in mind that dehumidifiers deal with water and electricity, not a happy combination.

Grille and Case

Take apart any modular components for easy cleaning, if possible. Prepare the area by laying down a towel and have a bucket with soft detergent and damp cloths on hand.

Start by cleaning the case of the dehumidifier on all sides with gentle scrubbing of a damp cloth and a gentle cleaning solution. Try to avoid using abrasive brushes or harsh detergents, and don’t use bleach for cleaning the appliance.

Next, use a vacuum cleaner (and appropriate attachment, if available) to suck up any dust or debris that may be caught in the grille. Pass over the grill front and back with the damp cloth and soap.

Water Storage Compartment

The water bucket located inside of the dehumidifier should be regularly taken out and the water dumped (do not use the water). Once in a while, clean the bucket inside and out with a damp cloth and mild soap. This will help stave off the growth of mould, mildew, and bacteria inside of the bucket, which can all cause respiratory health problems if allowed to fester and grow.

An easy tip to clean the inside of the bucket is to simply fill it up about halfway with water and mix in some detergent, swish the solution around over a secure location (over a sink, for example) and dump after a thorough cleaning.

Air Filter

The dehumidifier’s air filter may need to be replaced over time, but keeping it clean can help it working at peak performance. Depending on the model of the dehumidifier, it should be fairly easy to dislodge the air filter. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions if you are having difficulty with the air filter.

Using warm, soapy water, wipe a clean cloth over the air filter and remove as much dust and debris as possible. Do not place the air filter in a dishwasher; only clean the unit by hand as best as possible and replace if too worn out.

Allow the filter to air dry completely before placing it back into the dehumidifier. You may need to reset the air filter reminder timer, but the manner in which you should do this ought to be indicated in the owner’s manual.

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