The benefits of a quality humidifier include moisturizing skin, fighting off allergens and even defending against dry lips and mouth, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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benefits → include → Agency
If you use one often, then knowing how to clean and maintain your humidifier regularly will ensure that it doesn’t grow mold and present health risks in the future.
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it → use → future
I spoke with cleaning experts for their cleaning guidance and product recommendations.
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I → speak → guidance
Why do humidifiers need to be cleaned?
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humidifiers → need → ?
Since the inside of a humidifier contains stagnant water of varying temperatures and little ventilation, it’s susceptible to growing residue.
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it → contain → residue
“The biggest issues with humidifiers are the build-up of a slimy film in the reservoir, potential bacteria and mold growth, and mineral build-up,” says Melissa Maker, author and founder of cleaning site Clean My Space.
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Maker → say → Space
“All of which can be pumped into the air you breathe.”
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you → pump → air
Additionally, how you clean your humidifier may depend on the type, such as ultrasonic, steam, evaporative or impeller, which we explain more in our roundup of the best humidifiers.
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we → clean → humidifiers
Plus, it’s important to clean your humidifier so that you can actually benefit from using it, says Delah Gomasi, founder of Maid For You.
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Gomasi → ’ → You
“One of the things that hinders its performance is scale (mineral deposit) buildup which clogs pretty much everything from the misting plate and water reservoir to the filter and crevices within the machine,” he says.
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he → hinder → machine
“Simply put, when scale buildup prevents misting, there is no humidification taking place.”
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buildup → put → place
How to clean a humidifier
- Unplug the humidifier and let it sit for a few minutes if it’s warm to the touch.
- Pour out any water sitting in the tank and use a paper towel to wipe away any visible “slime” or residue.
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it → clean → slime
If you’re cleaning an evaporative humidifier, this includes the filter inside.
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this → clean → filter
- Add equal parts white vinegar and water to the tank and let it sit for 30 minutes.
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it → add → minutes
This will help get rid of any odors or remaining residue.
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This → help → odors
- Rinse the tank, let it dry completely and then add clean water when you’re ready to use it again.
The best products for cleaning a humidifier
All of these products have at least a 4-star average rating from 500 reviews or more on Amazon.
These reusable, absorbent cleaning cloths are well suited for many tasks, including cleaning the inside and outside of a humidifier.
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cloths → rinse → humidifier
, they’re machine washable.
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they → ’re → ?
Hydrogen peroxide isn’t just for first aid purposes — it’s also great for household cleaning.
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it → ’ → cleaning
This food-grade option is safe to use around the inside of your humidifier.
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option → use → humidifier
Hydrogen peroxide has similar properties to bleach, but with much less toxicity, particularly at a low concentration.
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peroxide → have → concentration
It traps dust, pet dander, dirt and other particles, while also helping your humidifier to release fresh moisture into the air, according to the brand.
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humidifier → trap → brand
This solution helps remove mineral deposits that typically build up in humidifiers filled with hard water.
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that → help → water
If you use tap water in your coffee makers or pots, you can use this descaler to clean those appliances too, according to the brand.
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you → use → brand
Since there are humidifiers that create mists in different ways (such as cool-mist and warm mists) some of them have parts that need to be cleaned that others don’t.
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others → be → parts
Plus, some humidifiers require replacement filters.
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humidifiers → require → filters
These types of humidifiers have an internal filter, such as a wick filter (mesh-like filter that resembles a sponge).
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that → have → sponge
If your humidifier’s filter is reusable and relatively new, you can clean it by soaking it in vinegar and water for 30 minutes.
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you → clean → minutes
If your humidifier has a wick filter, it’s best to replace it with a new one, such as the Durabasics Premium Humidifier Filter, and buy multi-packs of them.
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it → have → them
An ultrasonic humidifier, which doesn’t have a filter, uses ultrasonic vibrations to release water into the air.
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which → have → air
Maker recommends focusing on descaling the inside, especially if you use hard unfiltered water with a lot of mineral deposits for your humidifier.
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you → recommend → humidifier
The Durgol Universal Multipurpose Descaler can help remove any scaling in your humidifier.
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Descaler → help → humidifier
- Steam vaporizers: This is a type of warm-mist humidifier that uses heat to create steam.
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that → use → steam
“A humidifier should be cleaned at least once a week if it’s used regularly,” says Robin Murphy, president of cleaning company Maid Brigade.
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Murphy → clean → Brigade
This helps prevent the buildup of bacteria, mold and minerals that can affect both the performance of the humidifier and the air quality in your home.
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that → help → home
” If you only use a humidifier every once in a while, such as when you’re sick, then it’s fine to clean it once a month, says Murphy.
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Murphy → use → it
It’s important, however, to empty out the tank after each use and allow the parts to dry before using it again.
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parts → ’ → it
As Murphy mentioned earlier, not cleaning a humidifier can lead to mold and bacteria growth.
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cleaning → mention → growth
You should really only have water in the humidifier if you’re actively using it, otherwise keep it empty when it isn’t on.
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it → have → it
While bleach does a good job of getting rid of bacteria and mold, Murphy doesn’t recommend using bleach or bleach-based cleaning products to clean a humidifier, unless it’s done with caution.
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it → do → caution
This is because the residual smell can irritate the eyes and respiratory system, especially since the machine is releasing moisture into the air.
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machine → irritate → air
…and 9 more, not listed.
The Aporia
