How often should you clean your dehumidifier filter and tank?

Skipping it eventually leads to water damage or an expensive repair.

Staying on schedule matters beyond the repair bill: a consistent maintenance record is one of the factors in a home's Roots Home Health Score, and well-kept homes typically sell faster and closer to asking price.

How to do it

A dehumidifier pulls damp air across a coil and collects water in a tank. Both the filter and the standing water breed the very mold and musty smell the unit exists to prevent.

1. Unplug it and slide out the air filter; rinse it under water and let it dry.
2. Empty the tank, wash it with warm soapy water, and wipe it dry to stop biofilm.
3. Wipe the coil fins gently if they're dusty, and clear the air intake and exhaust grilles.
4. Reassemble and set the humidity target around 50 percent.

Alternatives & optional extras

• If you run a drain hose instead of emptying the tank, still rinse the tank and filter periodically.
• In a damp basement, the filter clogs faster; check it monthly during humid months.

Time: 15 minutes · Typical cost: Free

If you skip it

A slimy tank and clogged filter grow and spread the mold the dehumidifier is supposed to remove, worsening basement air instead of improving it.

Related systems to keep on schedule

• Refrigerator — start with: replace refrigerator water filter, every 6 months
• Dishwasher — start with: clean dishwasher filter, every 3 months
• Washing machine — start with: inspect washer supply hoses, every 6 months
• Dryer — start with: clean dryer vent duct, every 6 months