How I Cleaned a Dehumidifier - Deep Cleaning Moldy Coils, the Bucket, and the Filter

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Can you clean a dehumidifier, I wondered as I starred at the shocking sight before me. The Frigidaire dehumidifier, model number FAD504DWD, in my workshop needed a serious cleaning after the coils clogged up with dust, hair, mold, and zooglea slime. In this video, I show how I cleaned the unit inside and out with soap and water in order to save money on a replacement. It was purchased new over 10 years ago and had never been inspected or deep cleaned. Only washed the bucket and filter periodically. Besides developing a bad smell, the dehumidifier was not collecting water as it should, and it was also getting to hot. Cleaning the coils, bucket, and filter fixed the problem and it's performance was restored. I then custom cut a pre filter and installed it to help prevent this problem from happening again. I show that custom made filter towards the end of the video. I believe the Frigidaire dehumidifier model number FAD504DWD has been discontinued or at least it's getting hard to find. The unit shown in the video is still working as of January 2024. But it will need replacement some day. I can no longer find the filter material used in the video, but I included a link to another filter material. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Filter Material, to put over the inlet as a pre-filter : amzn.to/497MTnT
- Pneumatic Solvent Sprayer with Angled Spray Head : amzn.to/3ujOUyf
- Gloves I wear : amzn.to/3xDggRd
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Any information and all content including video, audio, or text provided by the Budget Phil RU-vid channel and it’s creator/producer (“I" or "me") is for general informational and educational purposes only. All information provided by me on this channel is provided in good faith, however I make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the channel. This channel does not contain any professional advice on how to design, purchase, make, use, maintain, repair, or clean anything and may not be suitable for all ages and skill sets. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon information found on this channel, I encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. Under no circumstances shall I have any liability to you for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of this channel or the reliance on any information provided by me or the channel. Your use of this channel and your reliance on any information on the channel is solely at your own risk.

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6 июн 2022

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Комментарии : 152

@sesleri6457 9 дней назад

Why does this sound like one of those readings of a civil war journal you'd hear on history channel lol

@BudgetPhil 5 дней назад

Why not?

@nonelost1 Год назад

Dude, you really went to town cleaning that dehumidifier! You did what 99% of us would never do. Kudos to you! One thing I might add though is that if the air gets that dirty in your shop, you should also wear a mask while working in your shop.

@BudgetPhil Год назад

Thank you. The air quality isn't always bad in my shop, but when I'm sanding something and making a lot of dust then I do wear a mask. Wish I would always remember to turn off the dehumidifier before the air gets dusty though. The pre-filter material sure helps.

@whyskyd 11 месяцев назад

This video is the opposite of videos that bring a sense of calm over you, like the video of washing a dirty rug. I think it's the narration that makes the difference. Bad joke apart, incredibly helpful video for me. I have the same model, 12-ish years old. Never imagined it was something that needed cleaning. I mean who makes them like that? Mine is not sucking water as well as it used to so i checked and found ice where water drips out into the bucket. I can confirm it's not that cold in my basement because i have another unit, 2 years newer model, gulping water like a whale in comparison. The only recommended solution on the internet i could find was cleaning the coils. Never thought it would be such an undertaking, and thankful i found your video. Wish me luck as i'm about to embark on this mission.

@BudgetPhil 11 месяцев назад

I know what you mean. I've looked for other dehumidifier models that are easier to clean but couldn't find much. I have an older dehumidifier that is much much easier to clean but it's too inefficient. Hard for me to believe that manufacturers make them this way now. Thank you for sharing your experience.

@h4ngman 10 месяцев назад

The Ice forming is normal. Dehumidifiers work by cooling the air in the radiator fins to condense and collect the moisture. In principle, it's really not much more than a fridge with a fan running air through it. Mine was icing up when it was new and running well but stopped as the airflow got obstructed over time

@rossmilburn7838 Год назад

Nice job, Phil - tremendous attention to detail, and very clear voiceover. My dehumidifier is used to dry clothing in a small room, but the fabric fibers, plus fungus, seem to partially block the drain pipe, causing water to miss the reservoir and land on the floor. I will try to emulate your solutions, if I can - so, thank you!

@BudgetPhil Год назад

Thank you.

@lauralewis5129 Год назад

I'm drying clothes also...I'm planning to fix my dryer but I'm having trouble finding the door latch... blessings to you and yours

@Xoletta 11 месяцев назад

WOW! What! I had NO IDEAAAAAA an UNPLUGGED appliance could KILL YOU!!! What a great video! I was just about to take mine apart, so this just might have saved my life.

@BudgetPhil 11 месяцев назад

I was surprised to learn that also. Thank you for the compliment.

@allseeingeyezz 9 месяцев назад

mines been unplugged for six months. do you think i still have to worry? been putting off cleaning this overcomplicated unit

@BudgetPhil 9 месяцев назад

I would still take the same precautions shown in the video because that capacitor can theoretically store its charge for quite a while. It may have a circuit to drain the charge after the dehumidifier is unplugged, but I wouldn't trust my life with such a circuit.

@TheYear-dm9op 4 месяца назад

To be fair there are *usually* discharge resistors connected to capacitors that can be dangerous, else for some appliances you could get a shock from the plug itself. Actually I did get a little shock from a plug like 2 times in my life. I was probably very fast to touch the terminals after unplugging, not giving the resistor enough time to discharge some capacitor. *However* I wrote "usually" in bold because you can't be sure they went out of their way to implement these resistors, and for some reason some designs traditionally don't have one. Like the main capacitor from photo flashes. Even these throw away cameras you could buy before the digital revolution of photography, had a flash module and I did get quite an unpleasant shock from one of them, assuming it was discharged because it wasn't used in quite some time. So better treat those big capacitors like little death nuggets unless you definitely *know* they are discharged. I don't know if I would short a motor capacitor like in the video. That could lead to a really loud bang and partially melted terminals/screwdrivers. The safe method is to do it via an appropriately specked resistor.

@bigmotter001 2 года назад

Nicely done. A good reminder we all should be more attentive to the ongoing maintenance of household items. Thanks for posting and take care!

@BudgetPhil 2 года назад

Thank you. I'll certainly be paying more attention to it from now on.

@suzannebinsley5940 Месяц назад

I have an old dehumidifier and a 100+ year old house. I had put a little clorox in the bottom to kill anything in the tank and tried Odoban sprayed on the filter before running it. My furnace died and had sprayed my house with dust and contaminants. I never imagined I could get at the coils! Thank you for an informative video.

@suzannebinsley5940 Месяц назад

I didn't have all the gear to do what you did so I used a spray bottle of water and a spray bottle of enzyme cleaner in the front grill. I used a fan to dry it after. I didn't pull it apart. It ran much better afterwards.

@BudgetPhil Месяц назад

You're welcome. The pre-filter material that I now use really helps to keep the coils clean. It needs to be changed every couple months or so, but has made a huge difference.

@davidbanner9851 3 месяца назад

I found the deadpan voice and the discussing every little minutia strangely relaxing🤷‍♂️😅. Personally, i would have just bought a new one and improved my inspection/cleaning routines for the new one, going forward. (But that would have deprived us of this masterpiece video, i know)😂

@erinvirtue5590 22 дня назад

Ok so I started this before watching this video and didn’t disconnect any electronics except the circuit board where the buttons are (I covered it with a ziplock bag) but I didn’t unplug anything. I just sprayed hvac solvent right to the coils and even touched it with my bare hands at one point haha glad I’m still alive!

@BudgetPhil 20 дней назад

They really should make dehumidifiers like this easier to clean.

@StKnightis64 27 дней назад

Great video. I have the same model, and have been noticing a funk about it. Time to dive in. Your filming of the disassembly will help.

@BudgetPhil 25 дней назад

Thank you

@user-wh1wo2yx6l 6 месяцев назад

I got the same exact unit and I have never done that detailed, sprayed water in and vacuumed. But, yea, what you did makes that unit like NEW and probably is running efficiently. I have an old style foam ac unit filter on front as pre filter that attaches via Velcro, it helps ALOT. Good job. Mine neeeeeeds cleaning but like you, I RRREALLLY am dreading that task 😫

@BudgetPhil 6 месяцев назад

That foam AC filter probably works better than the filter cloth I use. And I like the concept of attaching the filter with Velcro, sounds much nicer looking and more convenient than the tape I used. Thank you for the good ideas.

@user-wh1wo2yx6l 5 месяцев назад

@@BudgetPhil glad to be of help with the good idea !

@Cyberia1993 День назад

Thank you for showing how to do this. I appreciate this so much. Good explanations too. Thank you !

@BudgetPhil День назад

You're welcome. Thanks for the compliment.

@adamconnell5965 Год назад

Do not get rid of it! I have two of these... the newer ones are TERRIBLE. I have not killed mine in 10 years but my parents have been through multiple others. As long as it still works DO NOT GET RID OF THEM. BTW... a shot of viper foaming coil cleaner every so often goes a LONG way. I take them outside and remove the hose connection and tank and literally hose them out. As long as you don't get water into the control panel you're basically good to go after they sit in direct sunlight for a while with a fan on it. I am seriously debating permanently removing the stupid grill and or making it attack magnetically/velcro. Really no kidding these things are beasts and a dream compared to the new units you can can at most stores. I use my personal one for drywall work if that gives you any idea... you can tape and mud and prime an entire bathroom in a day with one of these. If you think you might ever want another one get it now. I bought my parents one about 3 years ago and this model was still being sold. Just keep it in the box or whatever. I went to service both of their other "new" ones and they wound up getting scrapped. They literally had refrigerant leaks and one constantly iced over no matter what and I wasn't about to tap/evac and recharge that pile. Viper foaming coil cleaner... get some asap. It's a trade secret weapon. I've never seen another coil cleaner come close in one pass. Foam it, blow air into the coils to get it into the back a bit, don't forget about gravity 😉 and then I hose it out. Also on the tank, drill two access holes for the two screws covered by the clear plate and thank me later. It's a dumb design, but light-years ahead of anything newer. Do not use high pressure water BTW... as weird as this sounds there is a thing called a clean stream shower attachment that works PERFECTLY for servicing these... it's made for butt stuff... but a friend had one one day and I bought one after using it(for not butt stuff lol). Its got 1/2 fpt for a shower hose but an adapter works for garden hose. Just look it up... it will make way more sense when you see it. Lol

@adamconnell5965 Год назад

BTW the "clean stream" can be found on Amazon for like $15 and the viper cleaner runs $15 a can but it goes a LONG way. The clean stream puts out a nearly laminar gentle "beam" of water and it's made of silicone rubber and flexible. I use it to clean delicate stuff like coils. The laminar flow holds together even at very low volume... I've never taken them down as far as you did, but thanks for doing so... this gives me the confidence to attempt this. If you're thinking about adding a real filter the Honeywell HPA filter may work. I'm still up in the air on whether it would be worth the work. 6% -12% H202 (use legitimate fucking protection with anything over 3%) 12% will hurt you. It's about like muriatic acid in reaction time with skin. You've got 10-30 seconds to get running water on any skin. I learned the hard way lol 6% isn't that bad and 3% is pretty harmless. It's diluted by weight not volume BTW. I don't use 12% on anything other than legit black mold. Just let it do it's thing and it will evaporate off. Rinse once dry if needed, but whatever is left is dead. H202 in the tornador is actually genius... I've never even opened mine. Sorry bout the rant, but you're bravery on such a deep clean has inspired me! They're indispensable when they're clean and running like they should.

@BudgetPhil Год назад

Great info. Thank you for your advice.

@NDpendentconnection 7 месяцев назад

Wow, that was very informative. Thank you Adam

@catgratefulgirl5977 7 месяцев назад

Thanks so much for your dry humor and thorough vid.

@BudgetPhil 7 месяцев назад

You're welcome

@Poppykat9866 4 месяца назад

Thanks Phil. I really needed to know how to clean my dehumidifier, but also your voice and cadence was so soothing. Came here to service my dehumidifier, stayed for the ASMR

@BudgetPhil 4 месяца назад

You're welcome. Happy to help. Thank you for the kind words.

@CmdrDarklighter Год назад

I used a fabric cleaning gun, which is used in the dry cleaning industry for spot removal. I have several around for cleaning mineral specimens, and it worked amazingly well on the coils and fins. I took a chance , and just unplugged the unit, carefully but thoroughly sprayed from the entry side from top to bottom, and repeated until the runoff in the bucket was clean. The odor was like sewer gas before cleaning, seems good now.

@BudgetPhil Год назад

I've never used a fabric cleaning gun but it sounds fun. Thank you for the tip

@yvonnechristmas2616 Год назад

Excellent, your video n explanation is very clear n through. Very helpful, Thank you.

@BudgetPhil Год назад

You're welcome. Thank you for your feedback

@maxaltenkirch1022 10 месяцев назад

thank you, this really helped me clean my moldy dehumidifier

@BudgetPhil 10 месяцев назад

You're welcome

@carolynvose3979 Месяц назад

Excellent detail! Thank you.

@BudgetPhil Месяц назад

Thank you

@huttone 2 месяца назад

very well done !

@BudgetPhil 2 месяца назад

Thank you

@DustinJohnsonPC 10 месяцев назад

Wonderful video. I would definitely wear a good mask and do it outside. About 1/4 of people are highly sensitive to mold and would get pretty sick around this. Also, I just bought a Midea dehumidifier from Sams and it looks basically the same, probably made by the same factory. And it has a removeable grill.

@BudgetPhil 10 месяцев назад

Thank you. In retrospect, I wish I had worn a mask. It was pretty bad. That removable grill on your new Midea unit sounds like an improvement to the design of these things. Maybe some manufacturers are trying to make modern dehumidifiers that are easier to clean now.

@anotheronechance Месяц назад

I have a danby dehumidifier similar setup...its blowing out the smell of mold. Ive been using it for personal home use for about 3 years now. So workshop or personal doesnt seem to matter. These things seem to collect moldspores and theres no way im doing what you did to clean it. So i guess im going to have to buy a new one. Such a shame.

@BudgetPhil Месяц назад

Some manufacturers now put pre-filters on these types of units that actually work for dust. I suggest looking at dehumidifiers with good pre-filters. That's what I'll be doing next time.

@adpeace2181 3 месяца назад

Model DH25 25 pint dehumidifier with coils and hose bucket

@nicholashall9 7 месяцев назад

Great job!!

@BudgetPhil 7 месяцев назад

Thank you

@r.duroucher225 Месяц назад

What a great video. Thank you for your generosity in sharing your expertise. I have one of these units and cleaned the bucket before seeing your video. I couldn't believe how the tank was designed. At least partial disassembly is needed to clean out a bucket and even then it can't be properly cleaned. An absolutely idiotic design. I then saw your video and I now understand what's needed to clean this unit. Unbelievable.

@BudgetPhil Месяц назад

Thank you. I hope companies that make these types of dehumidifiers are learning.

@keithscott1490 11 месяцев назад

Also focused a vacuum to a smaller hose to clean running unit because problem of dry and stubborn was then wet and loose ,recommend shop vac because it also suck out the water”learned the hard way”. If your bag is full and ready to change, it makes no difference to change after the job.

@BudgetPhil 11 месяцев назад

Thank you for the advice

@moonasha Год назад

my last dehumidifier stopped working because it clogged up with pink slime. These things are terribly designed from a user service perspective... it's gotta be on purpose.

@BudgetPhil Год назад

I agree. There are several different manufacturers that make dehumidifiers like this. Seems like they might be a fire hazard once they get clogged up, but I'm not sure.

@enmiredbythelazy4401 Год назад

Using Borax as the cleaning agent should help, mold isn't a fan of boron. Fungus in general hates the stuff.

@BudgetPhil Год назад

Thank you for the tip

@TheYear-dm9op 4 месяца назад

Thanks for the hint with side panels! My device is triggering the FI when I plug it in and when I put it in a plug that has no FI it's popping the fuse, but only when the compressor eventually starts. I Suspect some moisture in there *somewhere* ? Don't know why it suddenly does this. Although, a squished power cord might fit the symptoms better and would also be the most vulnerable part, since I keep walking over it. I'm no stranger to taking things apart, but with these devices which have big plastic panels you never know what intricate method keeps you from opening it. I was close to pulling my hair out, then I did a search, found your video and hoped the solution would be universal. I *did* suspect the side panels sliding out towards the bottom, since there were some "stops" designed into them. But I underestimated the sheer force this took and also the hidden pressure point: they also had latches at the top that, once snapped into place, would keep the side panels from moving back down. I was lucky that the first panel's latch kinda failed to hold on. The second latch would only let go when I pressed inward hard and simultaneously tapped on the panel. They really don't want you in there, I guess xD . EDIT: I think the compressor is stuck. Everything inside looks like new, the power cord is not shorted, the fuse pops the the compressor is supposed to start. Getting it out would be a hassle. Also not sure if there is actually something you could force the piston with, since these compressors are pretty much encapsulated. :( That whole device isn't that old, such a bummer.

@BudgetPhil 3 месяца назад

Yeah, it's a shame when things break so early. I bet you 're right about the compressor. Thank you for sharing your experience

@willfreethemfreethem7671 Год назад

This shit looks crazy I don't even have the same brand so I don't even know if I wanna even attempt something like this lol

@BudgetPhil Год назад

Yeah, it was bad.

@zachariahstillwater Год назад

Amazing!

@BudgetPhil Год назад

Thank you

@mngrrl 2 года назад

Do you have any suggestions on how to get to the coils easier to clean? Or most likely need to go that deep in taking it apart? Mine isn't bad, but I'm noticing a smell and some black chunks coming out of the hole that feeds into the reservoir tank. Thanks!! Great details!

@BudgetPhil 2 года назад

I know what you mean. Taking the thing apart to that extent just to clean it is more inconvenient than it probably should be. Haven't been able to figure out a way to clean the dehumidifier without disassembly though. I assume, based on its design, that the manufacturer didn't intend for the unit to be disassembled and cleaned by the consumer. If I find an easier way that works, I'll post a video about it. Thank you for sharing your experience.

@julionavas5626 3 месяца назад

Hi. Got the same model. In my particular case the fan was not working. After disassembly the equipment and reach the fan, it got a part of the case with heavy corrosion, specifically the part that is contact with the holding base where it is mounted. This base is stained with rust. Any idea why this happen?ed. Maybe some water from the condenser is accumulating there. Any of how this can be avoided. Thanks in advance for any comment

@BudgetPhil 2 месяца назад

There was some water in the bottom of my unit as well, but it hadn't rusted yet. I think the drain for the coils that leads to the tank was partly blocked and it overflowed into the bottom of the unit. I clean that drain occasionally now with a small piece of wire to help avoid the blockage. Hair seems to be the main reason mine gets clogged, but a piece of thin wire , like a twist-tie for example, with a hook bent on the end helps me to fish out the blockage when that happens.

@r1273m 4 месяца назад

I'm in the UK and have a dehumidifier very similar to yours but badged Electrolux. The performance has dropped off seriously and the "Clean filter" warning light stays on even after removing and cleaning the filter. I don't think I have the ability and/or determination to strip it down as you did. I'm sure the cost of returning it to the manufacturer and having it serviced would be prohibitive, maybe time to put that money to a new unit. Thanks for uploading a superb video.

@BudgetPhil 4 месяца назад

Thank you for the compliment. I came close to buying a new dehumidifier. They really are hard to clean when designed like this.

@selwyn13 7 месяцев назад

Great video but can u add the model number so people can find this video easily for those who have this same exact dehumidifier. Also when u r rinsing the coil, or making your Dawn soapy water do u have to use Distilled water?

@BudgetPhil 7 месяцев назад

Thank you. I'll put the model number for the unit in the description below. I used tap water because the dissolved solids in our water is only about 250ppm. If the mineral content of our water was much higher, then I would have rinsed it with distilled water. Thank you for the helpful suggestion and the great question.

@jerimo9 Месяц назад

Don’t know if I can get to them on my Tosot dehumidifier but I’m going to try to get to the coils. I know that’s where my mold smell is coming from.

@BudgetPhil Месяц назад

Seems like most of these types dehumidifiers were never intended to be cleaned.

@JanuleexD 3 месяца назад

Soooooo my filter panel looks less dusty than this, but it has some kind of dust in a consistency like wet sand. Do you think it is also mold? Should I be worried or just wipe it out and put it back😢

@BudgetPhil 3 месяца назад

I'm not sure. If it doesn't smell like mold, then that may be a good sign that it's not moldy.

@keithscott1490 11 месяцев назад

After doing the same on a much more serviceable model. Added a custom cut out section from a furnace filter , a little duct tape , wha la la. They are specifically designed to prevent that very problem.

@BudgetPhil 11 месяцев назад

A cut-out piece of furnace filter is a good idea. The AC window unit filter material I used at the end of the video works really well so I'm sure a piece of furnace filter would also. I need to change the filter about every 3 or 4 months but it's keeping the coils much cleaner. Thank you for the tip

@NDpendentconnection 7 месяцев назад

Did your homemade prefilter cause the dehumidifier to extend the amount of time for removing the same amount of water from the air than without it? Thanks for sharing.

@BudgetPhil 7 месяцев назад

No, I don't believe so. I didn't notice any change in it's efficiency after installing the pre-filter, but I do need to make sure and change it every 3 months or so. It gets pretty dirty and then it really does start to reduce the efficiency of the unit.

@NDpendentconnection 7 месяцев назад

Thanks for your reply...

@cindya.7907 Год назад

Hi! I'm hoping you might help answer a question for me. We tore our dehumidifier apart it didn't look nearly as bad as this one did but it was bad. We gave it a very good, but we did not separate the coils and it smells mildewy still. I'm afraid to separate the coils because I'm afraid of breaking them in two. Where we are living the moisture inside the house is crazy it's at 70%. Because the house was built in 1910 and has a dirt floor basement. And we are running the dehumidifier inside the house itself where we live. I'm afraid if it still smells mildewy that will be putting mold spores in the air. Is my thinking correct? In the landlord just seems to think that we should open the window. But if it's humid outside opening the window isn't going to make it less humid inside, if anything it will make it worse. What are your thoughts? Should we run it anyways or is there something we can do to put like a filter over where the air comes out of the dehumidifier? Because I really hate to buy another one, and we're searching for a place so we can move, but until then we're stuck.

@BudgetPhil Год назад

Another viewer mentioned a product called viper foaming coil cleaner. I believe it's just sprayed on the coils, allowed to soak, and then washed off with a garden hose. I've never used it but I think it was made for cleaning air conditioner coils. The coils on the dehumidifier may not need to be separated if using a foaming spray and a garden hose, but I don't know. The coils on my dehumidifier weren't attached to one another but were secured around the edges. After removing the retainers, they came apart easily. Need to be careful not to break the refrigerant lines though. I think you're right about it putting out mold spores if it still smells. I don't know of any filter that can be used on the outlet, but the A/C filter material I installed on the intake does a great job of keeping the coils clean. It just needs to be changed regularly.

@audreyborgheiinck5178 2 месяца назад

You are probably in a toxic home. If it smells like mildew, that’s your sign. It’s best you try to move ASAP.

@konstantine381 4 месяца назад

Im just gonna try to blow it clean outside with a leafblower. Maybe when storing my new one in the summer I’ll wrap the thing in a bag taped up or something cos that dust just clogs the coils and fins so much.

@custerranch Месяц назад

If it has mold on the inside, a leaf blower won't do anything but spread mold spores

@BudgetPhil Месяц назад

A/C window unit filter material has been really helpful for me. It's been keeping the coils fairly clean. Just need to replace the filter material on the dehumidifier every couple months.

@patrickmcmanus1360 Год назад

Pretty sure that after the initial white plastic cover comes off, that you have enough access to clean it almost perfectly. The front grill needs to be very gently wiped or better sprayed with water delicately to wash off dust. Doing it in the tub works. That's all I did and it works like new. Wait until it dried and reassemble. You're good to go. Basic easy procedure. The front metallic grill cleaning is crucial. Delicacy is the name of the game. All the extra disassembly is unnecessary.

@BudgetPhil Год назад

I wouldn't have been able to clean the backside of the coils if I only removed the cover panels. Seems like that method would be fine for cleaning off dust, but I had to remove mold, dirt, debris, hair, and other stuck on gunk. Spraying from the front side of the grill would have pushed the moldy dirt and hair further into the coils. If I had cleaned the unit much sooner, I believe the approach you suggested would have worked. But I waited way too long to clean it. Thank you for your input.

@patrickmcmanus1360 Год назад

@@BudgetPhil If was an interesting video for sure. Normally (if you clean it regularly like you say or have an air cleaner) the front grill cleaning is sufficient since the dust really stays near the front on the grill in my experience. I have two different brands and when I cleaned them both the dust doesn’t push through. Also, as someone who had lived in moldy houses, that doesn’t look like s normal amount of mold even for not cleaning it for years. If you have it in a crawspace that’s probably normal, if it’s in your house you should check for water damage. Mold is really bad for you health.

@BudgetPhil Год назад

Yeah, it was a lot of mold. Thank you for your concern. I would have freaked out a little if the dehumidifier was used in the house, but it was used in my workshop. A lot of different kinds of dust and debris flies around in there from time to time so I should have realized it was going to happen.

@adamcota7439 10 месяцев назад

I bought a used dehumidifier, been running it about a week or so. Went to clean the filter and noticed the coils behind it completely caked in a mostly dry black substance. Once I took it apart there was moist black areas on the coils as well. How bad is it that it's been running in my house? Is it mold or maybe sludge?

@BudgetPhil 10 месяцев назад

I don't know. It's good that you checked the coils. I bet they can be cleaned. But if it's like mine, it may be a rather time consuming task. Thank you for sharing your experience with a second hand unit.

@audreyborgheiinck5178 2 месяца назад

Yikes! After finding mold in my home and doing a deep dive on how dehumidifiers circulate spores into the air I would never use a secondhand dehumidifier. After I stopped, using my dehumidifier in my home my daughter, and I stopped breaking out and rashes. This was a new unit I purchased and had ran in my home only.

@julionavas5626 3 месяца назад

got a video of dissasembly procedure? A miss the way of remove the serpentine

@BudgetPhil 3 месяца назад

Sorry, that's all I have

@youtbe999 Год назад

Excellent video! It's nice to see that there was no rust anywhere inside your dehumidifier. How old is it?

@BudgetPhil Год назад

Thank you. I believe it's around 12 years old.

@BigBusinessP84 5 дней назад

This video is 100% being narrated by Bill (Nick Offerman) from The Last Of Us! Aka Ron from Parks & Rec

@user-ur9rx7ub3v 8 месяцев назад

I don't think any filter is going to capture dust as efficiently as the wet surfaces of the evaporator coils. They will always get dirty, even in clean homes. Dust in homes is mostly skin cells, and that feeds the mold.

@BudgetPhil 8 месяцев назад

Yeah, those coils definitely make good air filters when wet. The pre-filter material I now tape to the inlet of the dehumidifier significantly reduces the dust and hair entering the unit, but it will still need to be cleaned again someday. The amount of dust and hair the pre-filter collects in a couple months is surprising to me. Makes me think about air quality

@konstantingrathenskon2015 7 месяцев назад

are you allowed to lay it down? the compressor has oil in it. if passed to elements it will not work

@BudgetPhil 7 месяцев назад

It can be laid over, but it needs to be in the upright position for several hours before use to allow the oil to drain back down to the compressor. I vaguely mentioned it in the video, but should have put more emphasis on it because it's pretty important.

@TheStigma Год назад

nice work. Having mold grow in this thing is a nightmare for airquality as it sprays the spores everywhere . not just into your lungs, but also infecting any other place in the shop that is moist enough to let it sprout - leading to new problem areas. Your more robust intake filter should help a lot I think. The mold needs some organic material in addition to moisture, so if there isnt a dust buildup it shouldnt happen. Its a good idea to not let water sit in the tank though. I wonder if its safe for materials to use a mold biocide as a last-step disinfection. I would assume so. You cant avoid mechanical cleaning when its this bad, but misting the area with something that can kill any remaining spores would be nice. Definitely not bleach though. That oxidizes aluminium quite harshly.

@BudgetPhil Год назад

Thank you for the compliment, and for your input as well.

@lauralewis5129 Год назад

Great job. Did you find a dehumidifier that's easy to clean? I have an older dehumidifier that leaks... any ideas on why it leaks? Ty

@BudgetPhil Год назад

Thank you. I have yet to find a new dehumidifier this size that's easy to clean. All of the designs I've looked at seem to have a similar problem. But I'll keep looking. My dehumidifier has also leaked a couple times. It was caused by some dirt and hair blocking the drain port to the reservoir on both occasions. I used a thin, easy to bend, piece of wire with a small hook bent on the end to fish it out the first time. Needs to be easy enough to bend so that if the hook gets caught inside the unit it can be pulled out without damaging anything. The second time I just blew compressed air through the drain hole. I don't know what the correct way to do it is.

@lauralewis5129 Год назад

@@BudgetPhil THANK YOU SO MUCH 👍 Blessings to you and yours

@llt8101 Год назад

My old one started leaking all the time but it was leaking for somewhere under the bucket, down near the wheels, is that where your dehumidifiers leaked from?

@BudgetPhil Год назад

Yep. The water drained down to the bottom of the unit and came out near the wheels.

@llt8101 Год назад

@@BudgetPhil That might be what was wrong with that machine. The clog was in the part going into the bucket, in yours?

@adamski101 5 месяцев назад

I'd be sending that unit to the garbage. Even after cleaning it still won't be 100% and how often does this intensive cleaning need to be done?

@BudgetPhil 5 месяцев назад

I know what you mean, there's probably no way to get all of it clean without extreme measures. Got all I could see though. My dehumidifier needs to be cleaned once every few years. The A/C window unit filter material I showed towards the end of the video has done a great job of filtering the air and keeping the coils clean. I need to change that material once every 3 - 4 months.

@freespeechorgetsilenced Год назад

I just cleaned mine. Anybody else have like 5 extra screws and have no idea where they go.

@BudgetPhil Год назад

I've experienced that a few times. I try to organize fasteners during disassembly using cups and bags but it still happens occasionally.

@ytQrash Год назад

I had some screws fall down and get underneath the large black cylinder at the rear of the unit. I partially reassembled the internal sections enough to permit turning the whole thing upsidedown over a bathtub (plug the drain first!). After a bit of gentle shaking the missing screws fell out.

@maryshipman8021 11 месяцев назад

@jeffcole1914 8 месяцев назад

😂 we all have loose screws

@realscreen7735 Год назад

HI Phil, why can't we use vinegar?

@BudgetPhil Год назад

Vinegar can be used, but it may cause corrosion to some metals if it's not completely rinsed off. I avoid using it on intricate metal parts that are difficult to clean if I think I won't be able to rinse it all out of the tight, inaccessible spots.

@Grotomode 6 месяцев назад

Manufacturers should be forced to make those parts toolessly removable... Mold is a serious health hazard...

@BudgetPhil 6 месяцев назад

I agree

@rokcestnik8761 4 месяца назад

Ok. I will just buy a new one.

@BudgetPhil 4 месяца назад

I completely understand. That may be the last time I clean one of those

@Damianosdm 2 месяца назад

Guys this is all the filters these machines have? I got a juro pro Crystal 30lt wi-fi and it has a huge car air conditioner filter, charcoal filter and this one on the video. I thought they weren't enough but I keep watching videos and these machines have only this small filter.

@BudgetPhil 2 месяца назад

I agree. The filter that came with this unit is not even close to adequate.

@Damianosdm 2 месяца назад

@@BudgetPhil exactly. As for the filter I was talking about it's Hepa 13

@BudgetPhil 2 месяца назад

That's good to know. Thank you for sharing that information. I'll be looking for a dehumidifier like that when the one I have fails.

@Damianosdm 2 месяца назад

@@BudgetPhil thank you sir!

@TheJesseGuerra 9 месяцев назад

Did the unit have an extended life of use after the cleaning captured in this video???

@BudgetPhil 9 месяцев назад

Yes, the dehumidifier is still working fine to this day. The pre-filter material really helped keep the coils clean. It will probably need another cleaning though someday, if it lasts.

@radiumlollipop Год назад

Crap. I feel defeated before I begin. It’s tempting to just buy a new one, and I’m sure it’s what is intended by manufacturers.

@BudgetPhil Год назад

I agree. The manufacturers of these types of dehumidifiers really let us down. In my opinion, it's one of the worst designs I've ever seen for a product that requires periodic cleaning.

@tullgutten Год назад

4 months !?? Think you need a serious hepa air cleaner in the room and clean all the walls, floors, roof and things around. I havent cleaned mine before today and is where just a little dusty and from hair and concrete (in basement) and it lookes almost new and better than yours after cleaning 😅

@BudgetPhil Год назад

Yeah, my workshop gets fairly dusty sometimes. I put an air purifier in there and it does help.

@Ratchet2022 Год назад

It was ten years for him he said. He checked the pre-filter after 4 months I think.

@hottie1291 5 месяцев назад

I came here after finding what appears to a a bug cooked inside my filter 👀

@michelleahlstrom9408 Год назад

Sheesh. I'm not smart or patient enough to do this. I have the exact model shown in this video.

@BudgetPhil Год назад

I wish they designed the dehumidifier to be cleaned by the consumer. Seems like there should be dehumidifiers that can be cleaned relatively easily. I looked for another design a couple years back, but couldn't find one.

@michelleahlstrom9408 Год назад

@@BudgetPhil They're all made like this now? I suppose they think we're going to just pitch it and get a new one.

@BudgetPhil Год назад

I think you're right

@llt8101 Год назад

@@michelleahlstrom9408 I know. That's so frustrating!