How to Clean a Humidifier

Cleaning your home’s humidifier is a necessary task to ensure it operates safely and effectively. Because humidifiers contain stagnant water, they can become breeding grounds for mold and bacteria. These contaminants can be released into your home’s air, triggering allergy symptoms and respiratory issues. By regularly cleaning out the humidifier, you can enjoy its benefits and support the health and comfort of your home.

In this article, we tell you how to clean a humidifier through five simple steps, including:

To safely clean your humidifier, turn off the unit and unplug it. If you have a whole-house humidifier, flip off the furnace switch to shut off power to the unit. Then, close the water supply valve.

Once the unit no longer has power flowing to it, remove the water reservoir and empty it into a sink. Depending on the unit you have, you may need to empty water from both the tank and the base.

Disassemble the humidifier by removing the water tank, cap, reservoir, spray nozzle and the tray. You should also remove the filter or wick. If the filter is discolored or crusted with scale or if it hasn’t been replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, throw it away and replace it with a new one.

Next, give all washable parts a quick rinse with warm water. This loosens debris and makes it easier to clean the components.

Removing calcium buildup is essential for ensuring your humidifier remains in good working order. To do this, fill the tank with a solution that’s one part water and one part white vinegar. Let the solution soak for 20-30 minutes to dissolve the limescale. You can also pour this solution into the base or tray to soak contact surfaces, but be sure to keep it away from the motor and any wiring and electronics.

After soaking the tank and base for around half an hour, use a microfiber cloth or a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub areas where buildup occurs, including corners, float valves, and seams. Because many Tucson neighborhoods have hard water, you may need to repeat this process to completely remove buildup.

After you’ve dissolved all the limescale, it’s time to disinfect the unit to reduce bacteria and mold growth. To do this, you can mix a teaspoon of unscented bleach per gallon of cool water, and leave it in the tank and base for around 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can fill the tank and base with 3% hydrogen peroxide and leave it for 30 minutes.

Swirl the solution to ensure contact with interior surfaces, but don’t submerge electrical components. After enough time has passed, dump the solution and rinse the tank and base two or three times with clean water until no odor remains.

Once the tank and base are disinfected, give them ample time to air-dry completely. This helps to prevent mold or bacterial regrowth. Reassemble the unit according to the manufacturer’s manual, ensuring you’ve correctly installed a fresh filter.

Refill the humidifier with distilled or filtered water, or restore power and water to the whole-home unit. Plan to empty the humidifier daily, deep clean it weekly, and sanitize it every season to ensure safe operation and optimal air quality.