I know many people hold doubts on how to clean a dehumidifier. I hope you understand how this device is excellent for improving and maintaining our home environment by minimizing the humidity. It usually takes in the air by the aid of a fan for cooling before emitting it dry to the house.
Cleaning your dehumidifier is inevitable as you need to clear the collected water from the bucket. When this bucket is full, you need to empty it, but, there are other essential actions that you can do to ensure your dehumidifier is in good condition. Failure to clean your machine it could waste energy and decreased effectiveness.
#Table of Contents
How To Clean A Dehumidifier
These machines require regular cleaning for their maximum performance. Therefore, for thorough cleanliness, you need some equipment. Some of the requirements are households, while others you need to buy; they are affordable and available.
Materials And Equipment
Vacuum Cleaner
Vacuuming is necessary for removing loose filth and dirt from the internal parts of the dehumidifier. Therefore, try to get a vacuum cleaner.
Small Toothbrush And Wire Brushes
These are other useful equipment to help you reach intricate parts in a dehumidifier. Make sure you have these items because there are parts that your hands will not access.
Household Cleaners And Soap
Chemical cleaners are essential in cleaning some specific parts of your dehumidifier, leaving it with a polished outlook. Stubborn dirt like surfeit irksome needs a harder soap to handle the situation.
Towels And Rags
These are other requirements that you need to have them when cleaning your dehumidifier. They are ideal for wiping the surface and some parts of the machine.
Dust Mask
Your health is vital, and you would not wish to endanger yourself in challenging situations. Therefore, it is good to wear a dust mask to keep you off from dust while vacuuming. So, if you are allergic, don’t forget this safety measure.
Rubber Gloves
For your safety, wearing gloves is enough to keep your hands safe from grime and dust. Gloves are useful, especially if your skin is sensitive. It will keep off your hands from chemicals and filth of cleaning solutions like soap.
Now that you have the necessary equipment, let us now get into the in-depth discussion.
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Step By Step Guide On How To Clean A Dehumidifier
Step one: Unplugging The Machine
Before the cleaning process begins, you need to switch off the dehumidifier and disconnect it from the power source. Doing so will guarantee your safety while touching the device.
Step two: Cleaning The Exterior Parts
Since these items get air through vents, there are chances to accumulate a lot of dirt and dust on its exterior parts. The outer part of these devices also attracts bigger particles blocking them from entering the dehumidifier.
Therefore to clean this part, you need to use a dry towel or rag and wipe off grime and dirt. Wiping the body of the device will prevent adding dust to its internal parts while cleaning. If a dry towel doesn’t work, try to soak it slightly in water. However, sometimes you may use some elbow grease to remove the grime or dirt quickly.
When cleaning the interior part of a dehumidifier, don’t spray solvents or water directly on its body? You may damage the machine’s internal parts like electrical wires.
Step three: Cleaning The Dehumidifier’s Reservoir
The reservoir in a dehumidifier is that part holding the accumulated water. Emptying the tank when it is full, is necessary for the maximum performance of the unit. It would help if you opened the tank often.
However, if you fail to clean the reservoir properly, be ready to experience mold growth in the tank. Mildew or mold can be dangerous when it reaches the air from the tank. The machine will emit substances in your house, triggering some chronic diseases like asthma and allergens to sensitive individuals.
Therefore, the best solution to such issues is to clean the reservoir. Empty the tank before pouring some clean and warm water. Add some two or one drops of dish soap, and then scrub the interior surface using a sponge. Ensure you reach to all parts, including the corners.
After you are through with scrubbing, the next thing will be to clear the contents. Apply some vinegar in the tank through spraying. Give the vinegar not less than 10 minutes before wiping with a rug. Allow the reservoir to dry.
Make sure it is thoroughly dry before reinstalling it back to the dehumidifier. We also have some dehumidifiers that have drainage hose that may hold some mold. In such situations, you need to disconnect the hose and use white vinegar to flush it.
I suggest you use vinegar because it is a great natural disinfectant. But, sometimes you may use bleach for killing mold when that are actively growing within the reservoir. Remember, this process is simple when you remove the tank from the unit and then it in an open environment. Fresh air will allow the tank to dry quickly.
Step four: Cleaning Dehumidifier’s Air Filter
Air filters are the most crucial part in a dehumidifier with essential roles. An air filter does not only protects the internal components of the machine but, also clean the dry air. It merely ensures that you get fresh air.
The dehumidifier will never work better when the filter is covered with grime and is filthy. These substances will interfere with the normal functioning of the unit. Can you locate the filter of your machine? If not, no need to worry because you can revise the user manual and find it.
The location of the filter varies depending on the model you are using. Some have their filter at the back after removing the reservoirs. With such units, it is easy to get the filter through sliding it out. After removing the part, check it carefully to determine whether it needs replacement.
Generally, dehumidifiers come with reusable or washable filters. If it requires a replacement, then do so, but if its condition isn’t that bad, then you may wash it. Cleaning should start with vacuuming to clear all loose grime and dirt.
Make a solution of mild detergent and warm water in a basin or any large container. Dip the filter into the cleaning solution and give it enough time soaking to about 10 minutes. The next thing will be to dry the component before reinstalling it back to its place.
Remember, these dehumidifiers come with user guides to thoroughly clean the filter. Some of these models will require mild detergent plus warm water, while others only require vacuuming. Therefore, it is good to make use of the user manual.
To fasten the drying process, you may vacuum as long as you reduce the speed. Placing your air filter in a cold environment with low sunlight will also improve its drying process.
Step five: Cleaning The Dehumidifier’s Bucket Filter
Bucket filters are famous for catching impurities may find a way to the unit. There are some models with this feature while other doesn’t. Therefore, you need to make sure the filters are clean depending on the model you are using.
If your dehumidifier has such filters, then you need to clean them to prevent clogging. Cleaning the component as it involves merely rinsing it with warm water and gives it enough time to dry. After cleaning, reinstall it into a specific place
Also, if your dehumidifier’s bucket filter is terrible, replace it. Don’t risk your health with a lousy bucket filter.
Step six: Vacuuming
You need to vacuum all the parts before assembling and putting back the components to their various locations. Vacuum cleaning will be necessary to remove all loose grime and dirt. Doing so will also dry the parts, leaving them with no dirt.
Do so carefully not to add dust or debris to the clean components. Vacuum slowly and give the parts like five minutes to dry naturally.
Step seven: Connecting The Dehumidifier To An Outlet
After all the above steps are successful, pause for about ten minutes before fixing back all the parts to the specific positions. The next thing will be to plug it to the outlet, switch ON the dehumidifier to ensure that it works perfectly.
Also, inspect if there is any fault through the display. When everything is fine, you are through with cleaning your dehumidifier.
Conclusion
You cannot skip cleaning your dehumidifier; it is crucial to get rid of mould and dirt build-up. Some of these units come with their user guides to take you through the cleaning process. But this guide on how to clean a dehumidifier is comprehensive compared to the user manual.
Remember, sometimes it is good to do some tasks for yourself; contacting an expert should be your last option. Cleaning a dehumidifier is very simple with the aid of cheap and readily available equipment like mild detergent, a vacuum cleaner, warm water and vinegar. Therefore, there is no need for special cleaners or products for keeping your dehumidifier clean.
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