How To Clean and Maintain Your Humidifier: Easy & Useful Tips and Tricks

What is the prime reason one buys a humidifier? Mostly, for a better environment that results in better health. And this purpose cannot be fulfilled if your humidifier provides moisture full of bacteria and fungi.

That is why you need to properly maintain your humidifier to ensure the best outcome. In this article, we will discuss shortly on how to clean a humidifier and provide simple but useful tips and tricks to maintain it so that you can get the best outcome with the least effort.

How to Clean a Humidifier

Things you will need:

1. Vinegar

2. Spray Bottle

3. Distilled Water

4. Sponge

5. Toothbrush

6. Microfiber Cloth

7. Dish Soap

 Step 01: Read the instructions

Not every humidifier is built the same way nor functions similarly. So, read the manufacturer’s instructions before starting cleaning. Even if the instruction is hard to understand, do not leave out this part if you want to avoid any unpleasant incident.

Step 02: Unplug and Disassemble 

Make sure the humidifier is unplugged properly to avoid any kind of shock. After unplugging the unit, take out all the parts that need to be cleaned. It shouldn’t be hard, and the manufacturer’s instruction will come to good use here.

Step 03: Make a Cleaning Solution

Take a spray bottle and fill it up with one part of white vinegar and distilled water.

Step 04: Start Cleaning

Now the cleaning part begins. When you take out all the necessary parts and empty the tank, it’s time to clean them.

You can start with whichever part you want to.

For the water tank, pour vinegar into the surface that mostly comes to water. You can use the cleaning solution we made in step 3 for more comfortable and constant reach. Let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes.

You can easily clean the smaller parts by soaking them into a bowl of vinegar for 30 minutes. You can also create soapy water in the kitchen sink and soak the pieces if they are not that dirty.

To clean the base of a humidifier, fill any hole with vinegar and spray the vinegar solution all over. For the heating element, pour an extra amount of vinegar and let it sit until 80% of the dirt comes out.

Step 05: Scrub Off the Dirt

When the pieces are all soaked up in vinegar and soapy water, the dirt should loosen, and most of them will come off in a matter of time. For the sticky ones that don’t come off, use a toothbrush or sponge to scrub them off nicely.

Step 06: Rinse

When you are done with soaking and scrubbing, rinse all the parts and make them nice and sudsy. Rinse thoroughly so that the smell of the vinegar goes away. For the part that is directly connected to electricity, be sure to water in the right direction to avoid mixing water with an electric cord.

Step 07: Wipe and Let Dry

Now that you are done with the hardest part of cleaning, take a clean and dry microfiber cloth. Wipe all the pieces gently and thoroughly. Do not skip out on any water drops to prevent any water stain.

Finally, let them dry out properly before use or storing. 

Tips and Tricks to Maintain Your Humidifier and Avoid Bacteria and Mold Growth

Change the Water Frequently:

So, when you don’t use the humidifier too often, chances are you are changing the water less frequently. Because the water reservoir empties slowly and requires less water.

Try to empty the tank every day and fill it with fresh water.

Use Distilled to Refill Your Humidifier:

Tap water can help grow more dust as it contains a higher amount of minerals. Try using Distilled or demineralized water for every refill that ensures the best for both the humidifier and your health.

Clean Your Humidifier Regularly: 

Depending on how often you use your humidifier, clean it on a regular basis. If you use the humidifier 24/7, then you should give it a quick clean at least two times a week.

Some people tend to use a humidifier only at night time. In that case, cleaning it two or three times a month will be sufficient.

Change Humidifier Filters Regularly

If your humidifier comes with a filter, then try replacing it according to the manufacturer’s instruction. However, how often you should change a filter depends on how much you use and condition of the surroundings of the house.

Keep Your Humidifier in a Dry Place

The damp or wet surface is not suitable for a humidifier. Always keep the area where you keep the humidifier dry and fresh for better air.

Clean Your Humidifier Before and After Storage

We mostly use humidifiers for a cold and dry season like winter. When the season is over, it is time to store the unit. Be sure to give it a deep and nice clean before storing it.

Also, when the next year comes, give the humidifier a gentle clean because bacteria and dust can grow even when the unit is unused.