How To Clean Frigidaire Dehumidifier Bucket Easily
How do you clean a dehumidifier bucket?
This is something that you will need to figure out sooner than later if you have a dehumidifier for your basement or any other room.
If you do not keep this appliance clean, it can make you sick since it harbors germs and bacteria.
But as you will see in this post, cleaning the Frigidaire dehumidifier bucket is not too hard.
In another article, we reviewed the 70-pint Frigidaire dehumidifier. It is simply one of the best dehumidifiers that you can get for large spaces. It helps when you do not want to get a whole-house dehumidifier.
How to clean Frigidaire dehumidifier bucket
The main reason why you need to clean the Frigidaire dehumidifier bucket is that it develops mildew and mold. This comes from the constant exposure to dampness. Remember, the dehumidifier bucket also collects the water.
When the bucket is full, you will see a light for “Bucket Full” on the control panel. The dehumidifier will also not turn on until you empty and replace the bucket.
As you empty the bucket, check for signs of mildew and mold. If you see slimy-looking matter on the walls of the bucket, you need to clean it. If you do not, mold spores could find their way into your indoor air.
Here is the very simple process for how to clean the water bucket on the Frigidaire dehumidifier:
Things you will need
- Water (cold and warm)
- Dish soap
- Vinegar or bleach – choose one
- Scrubber
This cleaning process should take you at least an hour.
Step 1: Understanding your dehumidifier
On the top of the Frigidaire 70-pint dehumidifier, there is a retractable handle at the top, somewhere in the middle.
This handle is for carrying the dehumidifier from one place to another. The air filter is latched to the back, so you can also check whether it needs cleaning. Most of the time, you should clean it at least once a week.
This dehumidifier also has a hose latch on the left side. If you are dehumidifying a flooded basement, you can attach a hose to this outlet so that you don’t have to keep emptying the dehumidifier bucket.
Those are the main parts of this dehumidifier.
Step 2: Remove the water bucket
The very first thing to do is to unplug the dehumidifier from power. Water and electricity do not mix well.
To remove the water bucket, pull it out by holding it by the sides, applying a little force, and pulling it towards you.
You have to be careful with it here, especially if it is full of water since it will be a bit heavy. This is a 70-pint/33-liter/8-gallon dehumidifier, so it holds quite a lot of water.
Empty the water bucket. You can use dehumidifier water to water your plants, you can just pour it away if you do not need it.
To help you carry the bucket when it is full of water, there is a nice plastic handle provided for just that.
Step 3: Remove the clear plastic cover
To access the bucket, you have to remove the clear plastic cover and the handle in the middle. The handle is latch-type by design, so a little force and twist to one side should get it free of the bucket.
The plastic cover attaches to the bucket using three small latches. Two are at the front, and one is at the back. Unlatch them carefully so that you do not break them, and lift the cover free from the bucket.
Set it aside. You will also need to clean and air-dry it. On one side of the bucket, a floater tells the dehumidifier when the bucket is full. That is how the dehumidifier stops pulling more water out of the air.
Step 4: Remove the floater
You can do your Frigidaire dehumidifier bucket cleaning with the floater intact. However, if there are signs of mold inside the dehumidifier, you have to remove it for a thorough cleaning.
You will also realize that it has a foam attachment that makes it float in the water, which you SHOULD NOT remove.
Removing the floater is simple. Just pull it to one side, wriggle it out of the hole where it locks into place, and pull it out.
Step 5: Clean the bucket with detergent
Depending on how dirty the Frigidaire dehumidifier bucket is, you can use any type of detergent to clean it.
But if you have regular dish soap that you use around the house, use it! It is going to give you the best cleaning results.
Use warm water with the dish soap. Also, use a scrubber to remove any deposits on the walls.
Step 6: If you must clean with vinegar or bleach
If there is no mold in your Frigidaire dehumidifier bucket, you can skip this step. However, if you have seen the indications of mold, you need to remove it.
To kill all the mold spores, use white vinegar, yeah, the same that you use for cleaning around the household. Mix a cup or two with the cleaning water, let it soak for a while in the bucket, and then clean.
You can also use bleach—just a few drops with the cleaning water. But make sure that if you use bleach, there is no vinegar around.
If bleach and vinegar mix, they form a dangerous gas that can even kill you. DON’T MIX them.
Find my other articles on:
Air Purifier or Dehumidifier for Musty Smell?
Why Does Dehumidifier Blow Hot Air?
Why Does Dehumidifier Blow Cold Air?
Can mold cause sinus infection
Can Mold Grow At 60 Percent Humidity?
Why Frigidaire Dehumidifier Blows Hot Air
Step 7: Air-dry everything and return it
Air dry the bucket, the clear plastic cover, the filter, the handle, and the floater. This should take 30 to 60 minutes.
You can then reassemble your 70-pint Frigidaire dehumidifier, plug it in, and switch it on. Use it in your living room, basement, or bedroom.
Clean the entire dehumidifier of dust. You can use a dry rag or towel.
That is the step-by-step process for how to clean the dehumidifier bucket. Has it helped you? Let me know in the comments section.
You may also watch this video on how to clean your dehumidifier:
