Here’s 5 Ways to Clean Your Humidifier

A humidifier is a must-have appliance in almost every house, especially in dry areas. This nifty device has many benefits as it relieves nasal congestion or stuffiness while keeping lingering bacteria and air-borne viruses away. The quality of air around you is significantly improved, and it even does wonders for dry skin and lips.

As a humidifier impacts the air around you, using it safely requires regular cleaning. Without vigorous cleaning, bad water is left standing in the device which then pumps out dirty steam. Stagnant water can also result in growing mold and bacteria that you and your family may breathe in. This poses numerous health risks, especially for those with respiratory illnesses.

Always remember to clean your humidifier at least once a week, but it is better to do so even more frequently. The cleaning process is quite simple and takes a few minutes. Let’s look at five different ways you can clean your humidifier:

1. Vinegar

The most effective way to clean a humidifier is with vinegar. Simply fill up the tank with two cups of distilled vinegar. You can also add the vinegar to the base of the humidifier so it touches all the parts that water comes in contact with. Next, swish the vinegar around and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. Cleaning humidifier with vinegar kills bacteria and loosens hardened residue.

You can use a clean brush or sponge to scrub off any remaining buildup. Once all the parts are cleaned with vinegar, rinse everything with water and allow it to air-dry.

2. Bleach

You can take your cleaning to another level by incorporating an additional step. This ingredient helps to disinfect your humidifier in one simple step. All you need is 1 teaspoon of bleach mixed with 1 gallon of water. Fill the tank halfway and let the solution soak it completely. Leave it for half an hour for proper disinfection.

Finally, use water to rinse the humidifier and its parts.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

If you wish to disinfect your humidifier but there’s no bleach, you can substitute it with hydrogen peroxide. You need a solution containing four parts of water and one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) to clean the device.

4. Dish soap

If you’ve run out of vinegar, you can also use dish soap and warm water to clean your humidifier. Remember to rinse properly and get all the soap out before use. You can also use this method for quick, routine cleaning and perform a deep cleaning once a week.

5. Water

In case you’ve run out of the above-mentioned ingredients, you can always use hot water to clean a humidifier. Soak the water tank with hot, distilled water and let it sit for 20 minutes. This is a good way of getting rid of any bacteria present in the humidifier.

Whether you use a simple method or a more vigorous one, you should make sure to clean your humidifier regularly. Without proper care and hygiene, the benefits of using this tool will be outweighed by the risks.

As long as you keep your humidifier clean, you can enjoy all the perks of this cool little device and enjoy a healthier, happier environment for you and your family.