How to Clean a Humidifier and Do Maintenance

24 Jan How to Clean a Humidifier and Do Maintenance

In this guide, we explain how to clean a humidifier, which is a device useful for keeping the air in the rooms of your home clean. If you have read the guide on how a humidifier works, you already know that it is absolutely necessary to carry out careful maintenance of this small appliance. This is due to the fact that the filters tend to get dirty over time, requiring cleaning or replacement, and that the tank of the device itself can experience limescale build-up.

If you intend to keep your humidifier at peak performance, then you will need to learn how to clean it properly. You can check out the humidifier for dry eyes.

What You Need to Clean the Humidifier

Like any other household appliance, even the humidifier must undergo a cyclical cleaning phase in order to allow it to carry out its duty briskly. Otherwise, this device will not be able to guarantee your home environment a humidity level that is respectful of your needs. For this reason, it is worth starting with the tools you will need to maintain your little ally in the right way.

– Water

– Clean cloths

– Vinegar

– Liquid chlorine or bleach

– Hydrogen peroxide

– Soft bristle brush

Before proceeding with the cleaning phase, it should be noted that the maintenance of a humidifier changes according to the type of model. To give you a concrete example, vinegar proves to be an optimal cleaner for hot mist humidifiers. The reason is that you can limit yourself to cleaning the heating element of your device. In cold mist humidifiers, on the other hand, it will be necessary to proceed by cleaning every single part of the appliance due to the accumulation of any residues.

Cleaning the Humidifier

Now that you know what you need to maintain a humidifier, the time has come to move on to the various steps you will have to face for total cleaning of the instrument. First, you will need to make sure you have disconnected your humidifier from the mains, all to avoid acting on hot components. At the same time, you only need to clean it when all these parts have cooled down, so not immediately after use.

At this point, you have to remove the filter from the appliance and start cleaning it using your brush so as to remove the bulk of the residues. Then you will have to place it under running water to finish cleaning it thoroughly. Once you have cleaned the filter, you will need to put it on its side so that it can dry naturally. Before proceeding further, you should know other information. In the first place, you must never use a chemical or industrial detergent because you would risk leaving residues harmful to the health of the air on the filter. Also, while you are cleaning the filter, check its wear and possibly evaluate if it is time to replace it with a new filter.

After cleaning the filter, our advice is to move on to cleaning the water tank. In this case, you will first have to disassemble it from the humidifier structure and then fill it with vinegar, leaving it like this for at least 30 minutes. Vinegar is the best solution due to its degreasing and sanitizing properties, so it is perfect for eliminating any trace of limescale or other. Once thirty minutes have passed, you should remove the vinegar from the tub and complete the cleansing of this with simple water. Make sure you have removed all traces of vinegar to avoid contamination, then take a clean cloth soaked in vinegar and proceed to clean the external walls.

Of course, these steps will allow you to complete a surface cleaning, as your humidifier still needs to be thoroughly disinfected. You have to take the clean tank and fill it with water, adding a pinch of bleach or liquid chlorine. In both cases, a teaspoon is enough. In this case, you should wait at least 60 minutes before rinsing the tank. Once these minutes have elapsed, you will need to empty the container, remove the bleach and take a clean cloth soaked in hydrogen peroxide. The cloth is used to remove the bulk of the bleach from the internal walls, while the subsequent rinses under tap water will complete the work. Our advice is never to skimp on rinses.

Things to consider before cleaning humidifier

The following are some points that need to be considered while cleaning a humidifier:

1) Moisture which is released by the humidifier, may actually be used as an ingredient in the air. It can lead to damage, corrosion and even leakage of water build-up (chemical reactions). It becomes particularly detrimental when you use cleaning fluids or detergents on it; this will negate all its virtues. A good solution would be warm soapy water in which you run a humidifier. This will dissolve the salts and prevent them from becoming corrosive. When it dries, these ions should be safely etched away by their own dry minerals content; nevertheless, this can also happen with warm water alone.

2) Humidifiers have their main fan (three single-core coils on a common exhaust) at one end to facilitate airflow through the room while heating up moisture – use caution when cleaning the humidifier’s main motor; it should be taken to a service center for proper cleaning, even if you hear the fan constantly running without any other issues. When cleaned alongside humidifier maintenance kits, their motors need not be washed in clean water – the built-up grime on such covers will allow them to perform properly within 5 minutes of its usage restarts.

3) Another important wire is connected with cylinders and fans too. Its opened end from where leads are connected is placed close to filters. Use only Q-tips and soap for cleaning the wire so that it does not get damaged or disconnected due to incorrect use of tools. (You could purchase those premade ones who have clips and rubber sealing tape – they tend to be thin enough on a delicate cleaner.)

There is actually another system that will allow you to clean and disinfect the humidifier, and it works like this, you have to take the tank and fill it with a solution of vinegar and water. Once this is done, you need to insert the container into the appliance and start it for at least 60 minutes. After that, always make sure to take out the container, discard the vinegar solution, and do a further cleaning of the tank. Furthermore, the advice is to clean it not only after but also before this stage. To know more please visit probaby.