How Do I Clean A Humidifier Filter

During the winter months, the dry weather climate means your humidifier might be working overtime, so it's important to give it a regular deep make clean. H2o is a convenance ground for mold and microbes — if yous wait besides long in-betwixt cleanings y'all may finish up breathing in some of that bacteria.

We consulted with experts here at the Practiced Housekeeping Institute to help proceed your humidifier clean during the winter months (and beyond!). When yous begin to clean your humidifier, basic steps will depend on the blazon you have. "It'south always best to follow the cleaning directions of your model," says Carolyn Forte, Executive Director of the Home Appliances and Cleaning Products Labs.

For specific maintenance instructions, Forte recommends holding on to the owner's manual — or keep it around until you lot become the hang of it. If you tin can't seem to find your owners manual, you can always contact the manufacturer or hop onto their website. Merely if neither is at your disposal, hither are the basics to cleaning a humidifier.

First, how often should you lot clean a humidifier?

The answer might surprise yous. At least once a week, turn off your humidifier and get cleaning — but you can do it more than frequently if you or anyone in your family has respiratory problems.

"The key, whatever the type, is to make clean and maintain it regularly. Stagnant water is a magnet for leaner growth and you don't desire bacteria spewing dorsum into the air, especially if family members suffer with asthma or allergies," says Forte.

What y'all'll need to clean a humidifier:

You don't demand (and shouldn't use) detergents or annoying brushes to clean a humidifier. Only gather up the post-obit:

• Distilled white vinegar or liquid chlorine bleach (Note: never mix these ingredients)
• A small, soft brush, like a toothbrush or nylon dish brush

How to clean a humidifier with vinegar:

Annotation: Don't effort to wash the wick filter as information technology can damage the paper-like material and potentially remove an antimicrobial coating. You're better off replacing the filter with a new i.

Both cool mist and warm steam humidifiers apply a similar procedure, but some of the parts may differ. Some brands may also have parts that are dishwasher safe. Bank check the owner's transmission to be certain.

Step 1: Unplug and empty the humidifier, and disassemble it completely.

Step ii: For the base of operations and tank, pour one to two cups of undiluted white vinegar into the water tank and swish it around to completely wet the interior of the tank. (Some brands recommend a mix of white vinegar and h2o.)

Step 3: Place the vinegar-filled tank on the base (or, if your humidifier allows, pour vinegar directly into the base), and let the vinegar to drain into the reservoir to loosen mineral build-upwards. Let stand for xv-20 minutes.

Stride 4: Empty the vinegar from the tank and base and apply a modest castor to scrub crevices and remove any stuck-on mineral deposits. For small parts like the tank cap, wipe with a clean textile or sponge dipped in full-strength white vinegar.

Step 5: Rinse all the parts thoroughly and air dry, then reassemble.

How to make clean your humidifier with bleach:

If yous recollect your humidifier's in need of a deeper clean, you can as well use a bleach solution to assist kill lingering bacteria.

1. Disassemble and clean your humidifier every bit outlined above.
2. Mix one gallon of h2o with 1 teaspoon of liquid chlorine bleach. Pour ½ to ¾ of the bleach solution in the water tank and classy to wet the entire inside. (Some brands may recommend a mix of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water for this step.) If your humidifier has a 2nd tank, do the same with the remaining solution.
3. Place tank in the base and allow the bleach solution to drain into the water reservoir. Allow it to correspond 15-20 minutes.
4. Empty the bleach solution from the tank(s) and base. Rinse with clear water until the aroma of bleach is gone.
5. Wipe dry and reassemble.

Humidifier maintenance tips:

Now that your machine's in skilful working social club, have these steps to continue it running smoothly:

Levoit

• E'er empty the tank and reservoir when the humidifier's not in utilise. Bacteria can grow in as lilliputian as one to two days.
• To prolong the life of your wick filter, turn information technology over each time you fill the tank to go along the top from drying out and to help the filter age more evenly.
• Supplant the filter every 30-lx days depending on status and use, especially if information technology gets hard and crusty from h2o minerals, gives off an odour, or the moisture output of the humidifier decreases.
• Remove and discard the filter and ensure all parts are clean and dry before you put the humidifier into storage, per the manufacturer's directions.

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Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a25692098/how-to-clean-humidifier/

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