Cleaning your dehumidifier must always be your top priority to ensure that you will make the most out of your unit.
To clean your device, you have to know the best time to do it.
Every part must also be cleaned, including the filter, water basket, container, heating and cooling coils, fan blades, and it’s interior.
A dehumidifier is a useful appliance for homes and offices alike, especially in places with high moisture level in the air.
High humidity can make the air feeling damp and heavy, both of which can be very nasty.
However, just like other appliances, it will work efficiently only if it is properly maintained.
Improper or no maintenance can make it noisy, reduces its efficiency, and lead to breaking down sooner than later.
To keep your it in its good working condition, it is a must to clean it on a regular basis.
Thorough cleaning one or two times a month can significantly lower the maintenance costs in the event of a breakdown and guarantee good performance.
Every time your dehumidifying device draws air through the bents to get rid of moisture content in the air, dust, as well as other debris, enter the unit as well.
These dust particles then settle on cooling and heating coils, fan blades, and water container which collects the condensed water formed because of dehumidification.
After some time, the layer of dust and debris will continue to increase, thus affecting the dehumidification capacity. This is why proper cleaning is extremely essential.
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Keeping a Clean Dehumidifier
It cannot be reiterated how important it is to keep all appliances clean to ensure their continued and proper function.
The same rule applies to dehumidification systems. The air intake, exhaust grilles, and water collection tank must all be kept clean regularly.
You also have to empty the water tank on a frequent basis and cleaning only needs the use of plain warm water and soap or a disinfectant.
Leaving the tank unclean may lead to the development of mildew and mold that can disperse through the unit and eventually, to the air you breathe.
Aside from keeping the water collection tank clean, both the exhaust grilles and air intake must be vacuumed at least once each season.
The buildup of debris and dust can affect the efficiency of your running device and blockages can lead to deterioration and damage.
How to Know If It’s Cleaning Time
Like other appliances in relation to dampness and water, you have to dry and clean it.
After some time, the moisture remover is going to capture particulate contaminants and moisture from the environment just the way they are supposed to do.
When they get filled with water, they will stop operating, and as a result, they won’t be able to do their job properly.
But, aside from knowing how to maintain your dehumidifier, you also have to know when to do it.
More often than not, you have to perform regular emptying and cleaning the water container or reservoir.
In addition, you also have to completely dry and remove any drips in order to prevent mold growth and water damage.
When should you clean it, then? First, check the manual to know when the maker stipulates the cleaning, usually every month, to avoid mold.
Replace and clean your pre-filter once every month if the room is situated in a polluted suburb or it gets regularly used in particle related and dusty activities in a contaminated space.
How to Clean a Dehumidifier Filter
When you do some maintaining work on your dehumidification unit, always remember to clean its filter on a regular basis because a dirty filter can easily impair the overall function of the unit.
If you use it on full power, like when you are first trying to reduce relative humidity or if you are using the appliance for drying laundry, make sure that you clean its filter once every week.
You might be surprised how much the filters can pick up.
If it is used on a medium or moderate setting, clean its filter once every two or three weeks.
After you have cleaned its filter several times, you will already know how often you have to clean it.
Here are the steps on how to properly clean a filter:
- First, check the panel at the back of your device. You will see a nice slot that can fit your fingers in at the lower part of the panel. Just pull out the panel across or down and the panel will then slip out from the back fairly easily.
- Turn around the panel and you will notice the filer that can slide in and out the panel very easily. Hold this panel then slide out the filter. You will see some notice on the filter. This dust can harm the function of your unit if you let it build up a lot. Try to run a finger over the filter to see if will clear a trail in the dust. When you can visibly see the finger trail, chances are you are cleaning your filter a bit too late. You can try cleaning the filter a bit earlier in the future.
- For cleaning the filter, wash this gently under warm tap water. You can also vacuum the filter lightly. After you have washed off all the dust, just wipe dry the filter using a tea towel.
- Slide back the filter into the panel then slot back the panel at the back of the machine.
How to Get Rid of Mold from a Unit Water Basket
A dehumidifier helps get rid of excess moisture present in the air in order to prevent the growth of mildew and mold in the damp indoor spaces and houses in climates that have high humidity.
It will deposit the moisture in the water basket where it is collected.
When not emptied on a regular basis, the stagnant water there will lead to the forming of mold in the inner part of the collection bucket.
For cleaning this mold, you can use an antimicrobial solution that can kill mold spores and stop them from being airborne and spreading to other areas of your house.
Follow these steps for clearing mold from the appliance water basket:
- Wear latex or rubber gloves to keep your hands protected from coming into close contact with the mold. For people who have mold allergies, wear a dust mask so that you will not breathe in mold spores.
- Take out the water collection basket following the directions of the manufacturer. If this basket is very full, make sure you handle this with caution to avoid spilling any water on the device itself. Most units come with a lid and handle so that water will not spill and make it easier to carry the basket.
- Empty this liquid from the water basket down a drain or into the sink.
- Fill this water basket with clean water and make it half full. Add one teaspoon of dish soap for each gallon of water being used.
- Swish the water around in the water basket to loosen debris and mold. Use a soft-bristle scrub brush for cleaning away visible mold in the basket. An aquarium cleaning brush or bottle brush can get into the tight spaces and corners in the basket.
- Rinse out and empty the soap from the basket using clean water.
- Mix a solution of half a cup of chlorine bleach to each gallon of water they use this for filling the water basket and covering the spots affected by mold. Swish around the solution in the water collection basket while you fill it to combine water and bleach.
- Let the bleach solution sit inside the water basket for a span of 15 minutes to kill the remaining mold spores.
- Empty and rinse the water basket using clean water.
- Put back the empty water basket following the directions of the manufacturer.
How to Clean the Water Container
- Remove the water container from your dehumidifier. You will see mineral deposits and dust particles on the surface. When you don’t keep it clean, the dirt can form a layer on the sidewalls and at the base of the water container.
- Get a damp cloth then wipe away the unwanted deposited layer in the container to keep it clean. It is necessary to clean the container at least two times a month.
How to Clean the Cooling and Heating Coils
- If present, remove the rear grille and metal cover in order to clean those coils found on the inner part. Screws used for fixing the metal cover and rear grille are secured at the difficult spots and these are usually painted in a similar color as the dehumidifier. Make sure you carefully look for these screws then remove them.
- Clean the cooling and heating coils that are exposed after you detach the rear grille and metal cover. Use a brush with 2” soft bristle for effective cleaning. Clean your coils through up and down motion to get rid of the accumulated dirt.
- Cover the motor with a dry cloth to stop the water from coming in contact. Then, spray the coils with light cleaners and leave that for about five minutes. Pour some lukewarm water over the coils to get rid of the dirt. The fins present in coils are made up of aluminum and can be delicate. Thus, make sure not to cause any type of damage. After cleaning, search for bent fins in the coils. After that, straighten them with the use of a popsicle stick to ensure proper airflow through them.
How to Clean Fan Blades
Dirt accumulates on the fan blades. Use a damp and soft cloth to wipe the dust off the fan blades.
Once you are done with cleaning, oil the fan motor holes using high-quality motor oil. Three to four drops of motor oil are good for lubrication.
Ensure that you don’t add motor oil at one go before doing it can result to over lubrication.
How to Clean Dehumidifying Device Interior
- The unit’s interior also requires cleaning. Consider using a vacuum cleaner to eliminate dust from your appliance’s interior. Clean every corner so there will be no trace of some dirt particles.
- After cleaning, check if the appliance still has a trace of dirt. When you’re sure about the cleanliness of the unit, put back every detached part in place and leave it for drying.
- Once dried thoroughly, plug it and check if the unit works properly. Find the condensate forming on cooling coils that ascertains that the unit functions properly and ready for daily use.
Best Tips to Maintain Your Moisture Remover
Houses and buildings built in places with high levels of humidity are frequently prone to excessive dampness throughout the year.
Typically, such apartments have a stuffy indoor atmosphere due to excessive moisture that could be the root cause of numerous respiratory problems including allergies and asthma.
Dehumidifiers are a must in these situations since they get rid of all unwanted moisture from the atmosphere, which helps you keep a comfortable and healthy indoor environment.
Other people believe that they are appliances that require low maintenance to function effectively for years.
Below are some of the tips on how one can keep a moisture remover:
Close Every Door and Window
If any windows or doors in the unit are open, it’s only okay to assume that the air outside will influence the level of moisture inside your home even if your unit is on.
Therefore, always keep every window of your home closed to maximize the unit’s impact.
You may also take advantage of the weather strips for sealing your windows perfectly.
These can also ensure that there’s no air penetration from any unattended gap.
If it’s not possible to close air inlets, just shift the gadget away from inlets.
Adjust the Level of Humidity in Your Room
The lifespan and efficiency of a dehumidification device are not only determined by the temperature of the room, but also the level of humidity in a room.
They work great with a humidity range of about 40 to 50 or higher.
You may control the level of indoor humidity by adjusting the humidistat, which is a device that can monitor and maintain your room’s preferred level of humidity.
Place It Strategically
It’s crucial to place it in a place where air would circulate in an efficient manner through the unit.
Keep that at least six inches away from any walls so that its air intake and exhaust aren’t blocked.
They often work best with a temperature of at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Extreme temperature may burn up and freeze the motor unless it’s an instrument made specifically for extremely low or high temperature.
Clean or Replace the Filter
Usually, they come with air filters that work through getting rid of dust, allergens, and some dangerous particles from an indoor atmosphere.
Filters protect the appliance as well as its internal components from any unwanted elements from the outside and make a comfortable, cleaner, and healthier indoor environment.
Each apparatus guide comes with recommended runtime and the best time to replace air filters. Other filters are washable and may be cleaned on a regular basis.
Follow such recommendations properly so everybody would come to you to know the ways to keep a dehumidifier.
Check the Coils of Your Dehumidifier for Frost
It’s possible for your moisture removal to have an ice buildup or frost once it has been functioning in cool temperature.
It will affect the unit’s efficiency on a daily basis and can damage the unit permanently.
Once you feel there’s an ice buildup in your unit’s internal coils, try checking them once you’ve turned the device off and unplugged it.
When it comes to other models, it’s not possible to inspect internal coils and you’ll be required to call the manufacturer just to get those coils a check.
Always follow the instructions and tips provided for troubleshooting. There are machines that come with an automatic defrost function.
The unit detects the frost on its own and turns off the compressor while allowing the fan to run so it could melt the buildup of ice.
Then, it will be back to its normal operation in no time.
Avoid Turning It On Immediately after Turning it Off
Just like most electronic appliances, you have to wait for at least ten minutes to turn on your gadget after turning it off.
Keeping the time gap provides the system time to equalize the pressure that’s made once the system was functioning.
Turning it on immediately after turning it off may damage the compressor and also provides lesser time to the unit to eliminate moisture efficiently.
That is the reason why there are other dehumidification devices that have a delayed-start function, which protects the unit through preventing short-cycling from occurring.
Clean the Water Container Often
Just emptying the water container or using soap for cleaning it doesn’t guarantee spotless container.
As a matter of fact, resorting to disinfectants to clean containers can result in a layer of yeast and germ deposit at its base.
What is worse is that the debris may likely infect indoor air and could cause particular respiratory problems.
To avoid possible health hazards, keep the water tank often if required to make sure that it’s germ-free.
Then, follow the suggestions provided in the manual to know the best possible method to clean its water container.
Additional Tips to Maintain a Dehumidifier Effectively
Set The Humidistat Properly
Your device humidistat will help you control the level of humidity in your room.
See to it that you do not set it very high since it’ll leave you with lots of moisture in your room, which could result to being not able to resolve the main cause of excess moisture.
Avoid setting humidistat very low either since it’ll place lots of pressure on a dehumidification system by making it work too much and getting rid of the moisture in your space.
If you want to know the accurate level of humidity in your unit, you may try using a hygrometer.
Clean the Air Intake and Exhaust Grills
Use vacuum brushes to clean the grill periodically, which sucks moist air and the grill that releases dehumidified and clean air.
The dirty grills may block proper release and suction of air, which can affect the performance both in short-term and long runtime and infect indoor atmosphere.
Position The Moisture Extractor Properly
Proper placement is important to ensure good performance. Take note to place that at least six inches away from the walls.
Also, you should shut every door and window in the unit tightly before turning it on.
It prevents the unit from working overtime and will save you from high energy bills.
Never Short-Cycle Your Dehumidifier
It can’t be emphasized enough that short-cycling your device’s compressor may damage it for a lifetime.
Take note of this if you do not want to replace it sooner than you expected.
Check the Unit’s Manual Always for Any of Your Concerns
Each model is unique and it’s recommended to check the user’s manual before you consider any cleaning or maintenance task by yourself.
The guidelines provided in the manual are easy to follow and understand. This will also ensure that your appliance will last longer.
Getting the best dehumidifier is one of the first things that you should take into consideration to have a healthier and comfortable atmosphere in your office or home.
But, it can’t be achieved by getting one. It is only possible to keep an excess inside moisture under check if your dehumidifying device is maintained well and properly.
Through following these simple tips about how to maintain your dehumidifier, it’s possible to ensure good performance for many years to come.
