How to Clean a Humidifier

When you live in cold and dry climates, running a humidifier is an incredible way to deliver moisture to the air and improve the indoor air quality in your home. Not only is air with the proper humidity better for your home and furnishings, it is also much healthier because it helps to maintain proper skin moisture, provides protection against common airborne viruses, and promotes healthy sinuses.  

Like any appliance, especially those that use water, humidifiers do require some basic maintenance to keep operating as they should. Fortunately, cleaning your humidifier is a quick and simple process, and only gets easier as you get used to the task. Discover how to clean a humidifier properly and the reasons doing so is important.

What’s a Humidifier and Why Should You Use One?

Before you can decide to use a humidifier in your room, you have to understand what a humidifier is and how to use them to improve the indoor air quality of your home. 

When the air is too dry, static electricity can be a constant struggle. Hair, skin, and sinuses can dry out and become uncomfortable. In the home, dry air can even cause harm to your furnishings, leading to cracked wood. A humidifier can improve these conditions by helping to maintain a consistent humidity level. 

Humidifiers can be incredibly effective and relatively inexpensive to purchase and to run for the benefits they provide. Be aware that humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and air purifiers can often be confused because they all improve indoor air quality. While a humidifier does not clean the air the way an air purifier would, it does improve the quality of your air by introducing added moisture in extremely dry conditions.

How to Clean a Humidifier and Why It’s So Important

Keeping your humidifier clean is important for a number of reasons, First, it’s necessary for the maintenance and prolonged life of the appliance. Without proper care, the humidifier you’ve invested in could stop working properly. 

Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, cleaning your humidifier regularly will help it to effectively moisturize the air without spreading bacteria-laced vapors throughout the home. Humidifiers that aren’t clean could spread bacteria and mold spores throughout the home, eventually causing asthma attacks, chronic coughing, shortness of breath, lung inflammation, or even high-grade fevers. In fact, long-term exposure can even lead to permanent lung scarring or lung disease. Fortunately, learning how to properly clean a humidifier is easy and can be done in just a couple of minutes.

What You Will Need

• White vinegar 
• Bleach  
• A soft-bristle brush 
• Water 
• Clean towels 
• Gloves 
• Goggles 

Every make and model of humidifier is slightly different, so it’s always a good idea to consult the manual for detailed instructions on how to properly care for your specific unit.

Learning How to Clean a Humidifier in 5 Simple Steps

The best way to clean a humidifier can be broken down into five simple steps. Able to be completed in just a matter of minutes, these steps will help you properly maintain your home humidifier and continue to improve the indoor air quality of your home. Learning how to clean a cool mist humidifier or a warm mist humidifier shouldn’t vary by much, but be aware that mold and bacteria can grow more quickly in warm-mist humidifiers. Because they provide such prime mold-growth conditions, it’s that much more important to provide regular cleanings for warm-mist humidifiers. 

Step 1:  Disassemble the Humidifier

Unplug the humidifier from the wall and disassemble the unit according to manufacturer instructions. Remove and empty the water tank and any other parts indicated in your instructions. If your unit features an air filter, remove that as well, as we will go over how to clean a humidifier filter too.

Step 2: Soak Base & Small Parts in White Vinegar

Pour enough white vinegar into the base that it fills all of the areas in which water comes into regular contact. If you have smaller parts that need to be cleaned, place them inside to soak in the vinegar, as well. If they don’t fit into the base because of a small opening, soak them in vinegar in a bowl or bucket instead.   

Allow everything to soak for 30 minutes before going in with a soft brush and scrubbing away any stuck-on residue. Your unit may even come with a brush designed specifically for this purpose. If not, any soft-bristled brush would work.

Step 3: Clean the Humidifier Tank

While you are waiting the 30 minutes for the base to soak, you can go ahead and get started cleaning the humidifier tank. Mix a teaspoon of bleach with a gallon of water. Fill the tank halfway or more with the solution and swirl it around the tank until all sides re-coated with the solution.

Step 4: Rinse All Parts

Using water from the tap, thoroughly rinse the base, tank, and all the other components. Make sure to gently shake all the pieces to dislodge any trapped moisture. If after rinsing, there are still trapped odors or traces of residue, complete steps two and three, as necessary.  

If your unit did have an air filter, learning how to clean a humidifier filter couldn’t be easier. Use this time to run it under cool water until rinsed clean. Leave the air filter out to dry completely after rinsing.

Step 5: Reassemble & Use 

Once all the parts are completely dry, you’re ready to reassemble the unit and resume regular use. Don’t forget to replace the air filter if you had one of those to clean, as well. Fill your tank with clean, mineral-free water, plug it in, and start humidifying your home.  

Humidifier Maintenance & Usage Tips 

Now that you know how to clean a humidifier the easiest and best way, let’s take a moment to discuss cleaning frequency and basic daily maintenance that will keep your humidifier working properly.

Deep Clean Your Humidifier Weekly

So how often do you have to clean a humidifier? When you use your humidifier regularly, make weekly cleaning part of your routine.

Rinse the Basin Before Every Use 

Even though deep cleaning is only required weekly, it’s a good idea to rinse out the water basin quickly before every use. This will help to prevent mold and bacteria from building up.  

Use Distilled Water with Your Humidifier

When you do load up your humidifier for use, opt for distilled water. This water is mineral-free. When minerals are present in the water, those minerals disperse into the air with the vapors, which over time can cause added dust in the rooms with humidifiers. These minerals can also promote a breeding ground for bacteria.

Clean & Drain Unit for Storage

When you’re done using your humidifier for the season, it’s incredibly important to give it a deep clean and let it dry before you store it away. If there’s any damp areas within the appliance when you store it away, you will likely notice mold growth when you pull it out to use again.  

With a little maintenance and regular cleaning, you’ll keep your humidifier working as it should for many years to come. By following the above cleaning guidelines, as well as changing out your filters as recommended, you’ll enjoy breathing clean, healthy, moist air throughout the driest of seasons.