Humidifier Cleaning

Gone are the days of needing a medical degree for humidifier cleaning. Today’s carefree humidifiers are easy to keep in tip top shape. Most humidifiers are now designed to run 24 hours a day with very minimal upkeep.

The main reason for humidifier cleaning is to reduce the chance of bacteria growth. This is especially true for warm mist humidifiers but can also be a problem with cool mist humidifiers. Anywhere water is, especially warm water, bacteria have the opportunity to grow. Scaling is another problem that can arise wherever water is present and a few simple cleaning steps will help you avoid these problems.

Before cleaning your humidifier check the operating manual to determine if you will need replacement parts such as wicks or filters. Some humidifiers have washable filters and you can clean them when you wash the humidifier itself. The manual may also give you other tips such as how often to clean or replace the filters and recommend cleaning solutions.

For any humidifier a simple solution of bleach and water will remove any harmful bacteria and keep your unit running well. First, turn off your humidifier and unplug the unit. Next, remove the water reservoir and fill it with a mixture of ¾ cup water and 1 tablespoon of household bleach. Let the solution soak for 30 minutes and dispose of it before rinsing the reservoir with cool water.

The filter or wick should also be removed. If it does not need to be replaced, or is washable, immerse it in water. While the filter is soaking dispose of the water from the humidifier’s base and wipe down with a cloth soaked in vinegar and water. Once you have completed all of these steps you should let the humidifier completely air dry before reassembling.

There are also other steps, in addition to humidifier cleaning, that you can take to extend the life of your unit. Most importantly, never add salt to the humidifier. It will not produce an “ocean” mist and will cause extensive damage. The salt will corrode the metal parts of the humidifier and can clog the filters.

It is also important to keep water in your humidifier. If you are constantly running the unit it will be necessary to refill the base of the average 2 to 3 gallon humidifier every 12 to 16 hours. You will need to check the owner’s manual for a whole house unit to determine when it should be refilled. Refilling will keep the well from drying out and the unit from overheating.

Taking the time to maintain your unit with these simple humidifier cleaning steps will keep your humidifier running like new.

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