Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc across the globe and forced us to change our everyday lifestyle to cope with the virus. As an entrepreneur in the digital marketing industry, I had to adapt to working from home and communicating with clients and team members virtually using Zoom, Skype, and other telecommunication applications.
Yes, I used to work from home over the weekend in the past but didn’t bother to create a workspace. Usually, I would work from the couch. Following the pandemic, I decided to turn one of the rooms into an office, and one of the appliances that I had to purchase is the dehumidifier.
This handy appliance helped to create a favourable working environment by promoting indoor air quality. It does this by reducing the amount of humidity in the room and the entire house by sucking up air through its fan and cooling, reheating, and releasing it back to the atmosphere.
Like any other appliance, it needs to be regularly cleaned to enhance its efficiency and durability. I hired someone to do it several times until I made a bold move to research how to do it myself. I found several tutorials online and jotted down some notes to guide me through the process.
After several trials, I can confidently say I have mastered the skill and can do it without referring to my notes. Here are simple steps on how to clean a dehumidifier today.
Step 1: Unplug it from the Power Socket
A dehumidifier is powered by electricity, and so there is always the risk of electrocution if you attempt to clean it when still on and connected to the power socket. Switch it off and unplug it from the socket before you start cleaning.
Step 2: Work on the Exterior Surfaces
Air drawn from the atmosphere flows through the vents into the inner components such as the coil. As a result, dust and other forms of debris often accumulate in the vent. The big dust particles are trapped in the outer shell to prevent them from damaging the coils and other sensitive parts.
Use a dry cloth to wipe off the grime and dust on the outer surfaces. If the dust is too much, you can use a damp cloth and old elbow grease to get rid of it. As you do this, make sure that you don’t spray water onto the surface as some could leak into the internal components, thereby damaging them.
Step 3: Work on the Tank
All the water extracted from the air is stored in the tank. It is recommendable to regularly empty it to continue getting maximum utility from the dehumidifier. Every time I empty it, I clean it since most of the dust particles settle at the bottom, and there is always the possibility of it being blown back to the air. A sponge is handy in picking up all the dust particles; use it and make sure that you also wipe the corners.
If the tank is not cleaned properly, mold will start to grow, and the spores will be blown alongside the dried air, thereby compromising the indoor air quality. Note that mold spores can cause allergic reactions as well as asthma to sensitive persons.
In the wake of Covid-19, make sure that you also sanitize the tank after cleaning it and fill it a quarter way with a solution of clean water and two squirts of dish soap. I also spray pure vinegar into the tank to kill bacteria. Allow it to take effect for 10 minutes before wiping it off using a damp cloth.
Let the tank dry completely before installing it back into the dehumidifier. Mine has a hose that drains the water out – I realized some mold growth inside and used vinegar and soapy water to flush out the debris and mold.
Step 4: You Need to Clean the Filters
The air filters’ primary role is to act as a guard against big dust particles that can ruin the internal components. If the filter is covered with dust, the performance of the dehumidifier will be affected negatively.
I usually vacuum them every time I’m cleaning the outer components to get rid of the dust. Soaking it in a solution of mild detergent and warm water can also get the job done. Make sure that it’s dry before installing it back into the dehumidifier.
Note that different models have varying filters and the maintenance procedures are also different. Check the user’s manual for information on how to clean it without damaging the material.
Step 5: Bucket Filter
The bucket filter is a reservoir of all the impurities that are captured by the dehumidifier. I’m made to understand that not all models have this component; mine does so I regularly clean it using warm water to prevent clogging. Like the filters, it needs to be completely dry before being attached back to the appliance.
Step 6: Connect it to the Power Socket Again
With all the dehumidifier’s parts sparkling clean and dry, you can go ahead and plug it in the power socket again. Turn it on to see if it’s working correctly by letting it run for several hours and checking the reservoir and testing the amount of humidity in the air.
Conclusion
Cleaning a dehumidifier is not a complicated task as most service provider portrays it. Just make sure that you follow the steps discussed in this guide and check the user’s manual for additional tips on maintaining it. Please share your experience in the comment section. Good luck!
