---
title: Why does my dehumidifier smell
description: Dehumidifier acquires musty smells that spreads throughout your home from the ambient air, dust and pet dander.  It can also smell if it has not been in use for a while and lack of maintenance
---

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# Why does my dehumidifier smell

## Dehumidifier acquires musty smells that spreads throughout your home from the ambient air, dust and pet dander. It can also smell if it has not been in use for a while and lack of maintenance

**Ambient Air**

Dehumidifiers are designed to remove humidity by taking in the ambient air into the dehumidifier, it then passes through a process to enable the extraction of the moisture (into a bucket or a hose) and dryer air will then be expelled back into your room.  

**Why is there a smell**

Our ambient air contains a multitude of different types of odour from our day to day activities, such as cooking, clothing, healthcare products (such as hairspray, deodorant, fragrances), dirt and dust.  These odours are absorbed by the dehumidifier and they are concentrated within the dehumidifier.

Excessive dust buildup on the filters and  grills will over time seep into the internal parts of the dehumidifier.  This will aggravate the odour further. If left for longer periods, it may cause overheating and failure.  Prevention is better than cure rings true.  Prevention is really easy, routine maintenance and an annual service will help keep your dehumidifier hygienic.

**Maintenance**

If the dehumidifier is not properly maintained over time, they can acquire a musty smell that can spread throughout your home.  The problem begins when filters, the air inlet and outlet are not routinely cleaned every two weeks thereby allowing the dust to build up.

Once the internal parts are contaminated with the dust, dander, hair etc, the smell  becomes musty and the dehumidifier becomes inefficient in collecting moisture.  

**To avoid a buildup of smell, follow the following simple tips:-**

[How to take care of my dehumidifier](https://help.ecoair.org/knowledge/how-to-take-care-of-my-dehumidifier?hsLang=en)

[How do I clean the filters](https://help.ecoair.org/knowledge/how-do-i-clean-the-filters?hsLang=en)

[How to store my dehumidifier](https://help.ecoair.org/knowledge/how-to-store-my-dehumidifier?hsLang=en)

 

**What is the next step if I want to get rid of that smell from my dehumidifier**

You should have your dehumidifiers serviced .  Do not wait until it overheats and break down.  Please see [Should I have my dehumidifier serviced.](https://help.ecoair.org/knowledge/should-i-have-my-dehumidifier-serviced-annually?hsLang=en)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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