A self-cleaning sump for an agricultural harvester may include a collection chamber defining a top end and a bottom end. The self-cleaning sump may also include a sump door positioned at the bottom end of the collection chamber, with the sump door being movable between an opened position and a closed position. Additionally, the self-cleaning sump may include a cleaning device movable within the collection chamber between a raised position and a lowered position and an actuator coupled to the cleaning device. The actuator may be configured to actuate the cleaning device between the raised and lowered positions independent of the sump door. When the actuator is activated, the cleaning device may be configured to contact collected material contained within the collection chamber as the cleaning device is moved within the collection chamber between the top and bottom ends of the chamber.