The summer has been one of the hottest on record, and the high levels of humidity have caused the air to become quite dense. Your home may be experiencing a more significant impact than you know. Mold may grow on walls, ceilings, and furnishings if there is sufficient humidity in the air.
This is a fact.
It’s difficult to remove excess moisture from the air during humid months unless you have a dehumidifier.
Moisture and humidity are two things householders like to avoid in their homes. Water is a breeding environment for various diseases, including mold and mildew, which may cause significant health concerns if exposed often.
Using a dehumidifier may help keep mold and mildew at bay by removing moisture from the air.
How do they work?
They function by sucking air in via a fan, cooling it on coils, and then reheating and discharging dry air. Consequently, the water is usually collected in a bucket and discharged after filling.
Besides emptying the bucket as required, you should do a few other things to maintain your dehumidifier in good working order. If the machine is not kept clean, it will lose efficiency and waste energy.
Does a Dehumidifier Require Routine Cleaning?
It is thus vital to clean it consistently. The gadget’s functionality is contingent on ensuring that the air filter is kept clean. Mold growing within the tank has the potential to contaminate the water supply.
If you use it rather often, we advise cleaning it at least once every three weeks at the very least.
Clean Your Dehumidifier in 5 Easy Steps
When cleaning a dehumidifier, you need to take extra precautions to protect yourself from becoming sick or electrocuted.
Safety steps
- Put on your protective clothing: You should use rubber gloves and a dust mask to protect your hands from dust, grime, chemical cleaners, and soap. This can assist you in avoiding inhaling dust and other allergens transported in the air.
- Ensure the device is off and unplugged: Before you start cleaning the dehumidifier, you should ensure it is entirely safe by turning it off and unplugging it. Then, wipe it down from the inside and outside. To learn more about cleaning electronics- check out this link!
Consider using these simple steps to clean dehumidifiers, first considering the need for safety.
They contain many vital components, such as an air filter and a reservoir, that will not function properly if they are dirty.
What you need to know:
1. Sweep and dry the outside
Because dehumidifiers draw air in via vents, there may be a significant amount of dust and grime. Furthermore, bigger particles that try to enter the dehumidifier are captured outside.
Use a dry cloth to remove any dirt or grime accumulated to clean the exterior. If a dry cloth isn’t working, dampen it gradually. You could also need some good old-fashioned elbow grease.
Note: Never spray water or chemicals directly on the exterior. This might endanger the dehumidifier’s internal and electrical components.
2. Regular Cleaning of the Water Reservoir (Tank)
The collected water is stored in the tank or reservoir of the dehumidifier. It is vital to empty this whenever it is full, but it is also critical to clean it regularly. Therefore, mold may grow within the tank if you do not clean it properly.
If mold or mildew starts to grow in the tank, it has the potential to spread throughout your house. Mold allergies and asthma episodes are possible in people who are allergic to them.
To clean and sanitize the reservoir, you must first completely empty it. Fill it halfway with clean, warm water and one or two squirts of dish soap. Scrub it with a sponge, paying particular attention to the corners.
After cleaning, empty the tank and spray it with undiluted vinegar – it will stink for a while until it dries. Allow the vinegar to remain in the tank for up to 10 minutes before washing it off with a damp cloth and allowing it to dry. After it has been scorched, put it in the dehumidifier.
3. Cleaning The Coils
During operation, the evaporator coils on the back of the dehumidifier get very cold as the machine takes moist air from the room and condenses it using a fan. If the temperature of the air is too low, condensation will freeze. Furthermore, the fan blades must be cleaned.
Defrost the coils and disconnect the apparatus. Permit it to defrost for many hours. Capture dripping water and dispose of it via a drain or outside.
4. Cleaning The Filter
At the same time as your dehumidifier is laboriously removing moisture from the air, the filter is cleaning the air of dirt, mildew, and mold. If you do not have the air filter installed, your dehumidifier will fill the reservoir with unclean water. A bucket filter is used in a variety of machines. Removing the air and bucket filters should be done with caution, and then they should be washed in warm soapy water. It is essential to wash and dry the filters before putting them back into the machine. Speaking of filters- try cleaning your AC next!
5. Vacuuming out the machine
You should vacuum the dehumidifier to eliminate any dust and debris that may be present while the reservoir and air filters are drying out.
You can relax for the next two weeks if you plug in your dehumidifier and let it do its job. It is essential to regular maintenance on your dehumidifier to keep the air in your basement and your home clean.
Final Thoughts
It is critical to clean your dehumidifier before filth and mold accumulate.
Some owners’ manuals for dehumidifiers may need special cleaning. In most cases, you may follow the steps mentioned below. It is advised to check it first. Some even include display alerts that indicate when it needs to be cleaned. Nonetheless, you must do your own inspection of the filter and bucket.
Dehumidifier maintenance, thankfully, does not need any special chemicals or cleaning. A little bit of mild detergent, vinegar, and warm water should be sufficient.