December 16, 2014

How to clean a dehumidifier

How to clean a dehumidifier.
How to clean a dehumidifier.

All that moisture that your dehumidifier traps makes it a perfect place for mold and mildrew to grow. That's why most manufacturers recommend cleaning it once a month during it's busy season. Bonus: a clean dehumidifier works more efficiently, so it uses as little electricity as necessary to pull moisture from humid air. So take a few minutes to follow these 4 steps.

  1. Remove the water collection bucket from the unit and wipe it with a soft, damp cloth to prevent mold and mildew from forming.

  2. Remove the air filter and wash it with warm water and a mild soap. Dry completely and check for holes or damage.

  3. With the power disconnected, remove the outer cover to access the coils and fan blade.  Using a small brush, gently brush the dirt from the coils. Wipe the fan blades clean with a damp rag to remove dirt or mildew.

  4. Check the inside cabinet area for any dirt and remove as needed.

Most common symptoms to help you fix your dehumidifiers

Choose a symptom to see related dehumidifier repairs.

Main causes: dirty air filter, clogged grill, dehumidifier placed too close to the wall, dehumidifier too small for the ...

Main causes: lack of electrical power, wiring failure, electronic control board failure, user interface control failure...

Main causes: dehumidifier too small for the space, bad humidity sensor, faulty evaporator thermistor, low refrigerant, b...

Main causes: weak or dead batteries, out of range, radio frequency interference...

Main causes: room temperature below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, control system failure...

Main causes: clogged drain hose, drain hose not properly connected...

Main causes: loose fan motor mounting screws, loose compressor mounting bracket screws, bad fan, faulty compressor...

Main causes: collection bucket not installed, collection bucket full of water...

Main causes: collection bucket not installed correctly, cracked collection bucket, loose drain hose connection...

Most common repair guides to help fix your dehumidifiers

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your dehumidifier.

How to replace a dehumidifier electronic control board

How to replace a dehumidifier electronic control board

If the dehumidifier won’t power up because the control board has failed, use the steps in this repair guide to replace t...

Repair difficulty
Time required
45 minutes or less
How to replace a dehumidifier user interface control board

How to replace a dehumidifier user interface control board

If the dehumidifier doesn’t respond when you try to set it, follow these steps to replace it....

Repair difficulty
Time required
30 minutes or less
How to replace a dehumidifier sensor assembly

How to replace a dehumidifier sensor assembly

If the humidifier sensor doesn’t properly detect humidity or evaporator temperature, install a new sensor assembly, foll...

Repair difficulty
Time required
45 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your dehumidifiers

Use the advice and tips in these articles to get the most out of your dehumidifier.

How to repair broken or damaged wires video

How to repair broken or damaged wires video

Learn how to repair broken, frayed or damaged wires in your appliances....

How to use a multimeter to test electrical parts video

How to use a multimeter to test electrical parts video

Learn how to use a multimeter to check for wiring problems in an appliance that's not working...

How does a dehumidifier work?

How does a dehumidifier work?

Discover how a dehumidifier works....