How to Clean Mold from a Dehumidifier Basket

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How to Clean Mold from a Dehumidifier Basket

The purpose of a dehumidifier is to remove excess moisture from the air to prevent mold and mildew growth in damp areas and homes. A dehumidifier retrieves the moisture in a water basket, where it collects. The basket needs to be emptied on a regular basis and if not the stagnant water can form mold on the inside of the collection basket. If mold appears, then the mold spores need to be killed, to prevent them from spreading and becoming airborne.

List of Supplies:
  • Rubber Gloves
  • Dust Mask
  • Dish Soap
  • Water
  • Soft-bristle Scrub Brush
  • Bottle Brush
  • Chlorine Bleach

Steps to Clean Mold:

  1.   First, put on rubber or latex gloves to protect your hands from touching the mold directly. If you have a mold allergy, put on a dust mask to prevent inhaling the mold spores.
  2. Remove the water from the collection basket of your dehumidifier, following the manufacturer’s instructions. If the basket is full, be careful to not spill any water on the unit. (Many units have handles and a lid to prevent the water from spilling and make carrying the basket easier.)
  3. Empty the liquid from the dehumidifier water basket into either your sink or down a drain.
  4. Fill the water basket half full with clean water. Add a teaspoon of dish soap for every gallon of water used.
  5. Stir the water around inside the water basket to loosen the mold and other debris. Use a soft-bristle scrub brush to clean away any visible mold inside the basket. A bottle brush can get into tight corners in the basket. (Be sure to thoroughly clean the brush after usage.)
  6. Empty and rinse out the soap from the basket with clean water.
  7. Mix 1 cup of bleach to every gallon of water and use it to fill the water basket and cover the areas affected by mold. Swish the solution around the water basket while filling it to mix the bleach and water. (This is the only time we recommend using bleach to clean mold. Bleach can be used to clean the water basket because it is made of non-porous plastic.)
  8. Let the bleach solution sit in the water basket for 15 minutes to kill any remaining mold spores.
  9.  Empty the water basket and rinse it with clean water. Make sure to rinse several times, ensuring it is rinsed thoroughly.
  10. Finally, place the empty water basket back into the dehumidifier following the manufacturer’s instructions.
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