Warning about mixing vinegar and bleach
Some humidifier cleaning processes use vinegar and others use bleach.
DO NOT mix the two. Mixing vinegar and bleach creates toxic chlorine gas that can be extremely harmful. For more information Healthline have an in depth article about why you should not mix beach and vinegar while cleaning.
This does not mean that you shouldn’t clean your humidifier! Cleaning your humidifier is more important than cleaning other appliances in your home. You can choose to use either vinegar OR bleach, we will discuss both methods.
Because humidifiers use water and sometimes heat, they create an environment where bacteria, mold, and fungus breed rapidly. Not cleaning your humidifier allows these unwanted guests to flourish and enter the air in your home.
Cleaning a humidifier is easy and we will take you through the process step by step. If you wish to opt for a simpler method, there is always the option of buying a self-clean humidifier.
Cleaning your humidifier with vinegar
Cleaning a humidifier with vinegar is the easiest way to eliminate germs, bacteria, mineral build-up, and mold in your machine.
You will need
- Clean water
- White distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- Toothbrush
- Measuring cup
- Cleaning/drying cloth
Here are the steps to follow for humidifier cleaning:
Unplug your machine
The best place to clean your machine is in the kitchen or bathroom. Don’t try to do it in your bedroom, lounge, or baby’s nursery, you will make a mess. Unplug your machine and move it to your preferred cleaning spot.
Empty the remaining water
You don’t want to start with stagnant water, so empty the water in your reservoir. Most humidifiers have instructions on them indicating how to pour out the water. Take note of this, as it prevents you from getting water into the motor.
Take your machine apart
A simple humidifier has a base and a reservoir. More complex machines may have other parts. Follow the manufacturer instructions on how to disassemble your machine into its separate components.
Start with the base
The base of your machine may feel slimy or greasy. You may also notice that the heating element is covered with scale and mineral build-up. Now you know for sure that it is time to clean your home humidifier.
Fill the base with one cup of water and one cup of distilled white vinegar. You can also use apple cider vinegar if you enjoy the fragrant aroma. Let the base stand for 30 minutes.
Clean the water reservoir
While the base is standing, you can start on the reservoir. The reservoir is the component that grows the most mold, so it is important to clean this properly.
Fill it with one cup of water and one cup of distilled vinegar. Put the lid back on and shake it madly up and down, giving your arms a good workout – you can skip your gym session for the day.
Let the solution seep into the nozzle to clean it out. Then put the reservoir aside to stand for 30 minutes.
Make some tea
Now that you have finally got round to doing this cleaning job, you deserve a treat. Make a cup of tea and have a slice of decadent chocolate cake.
Rinse with fresh water
After you have waited 30 minutes, pour the water out of the reservoir and the base, once again taking note of the instructions on the direction to pour. Rinse both components with clean water a few times.
Use a toothbrush
Use a clean toothbrush and brush the insides of the machine and the reservoir. Take special note of small corners, crevices, joints, and seams. You can dip the toothbrush into vinegar to help the cleaning process.
Use a clean toothbrush and brush the insides of the machine and the reservoir.
Take special note of small corners, crevices, joints, and seams. You can dip the toothbrush into vinegar to help the cleaning process.
Rinse again
Rinse again to get rid of any loosened bits and the remaining vinegar.
Clean the exterior
Soak a clean cloth in vinegar and wring it out. Use the cloth to wipe the outside of the machine. Wipe the electrical cord, but keep the cloth away from the motor and electrical connections.
Allow the machine to air dry
Your machine should dry fairly quickly after cleaning.
Reassemble
Once all the parts are dry, reassemble the machine. Fill the reservoir with fresh water and you are done.
Cleaning your humidifier with bleach
You can also disinfect a humidifier with bleach. Bleach is a far more dangerous cleaning liquid than vinegar and should be used with care.
Some manufacturers state that their humidifiers should not be cleaned with bleach, so check this first before starting, or you may end up severely damaging your machine or contaminating the air.
If you want to use bleach, you can follow the same steps as cleaning a humidifier with vinegar. Instead of using vinegar and water, make a solution of half a cup of bleach to one gallon of water. Take extra care when rising, as you don’t want to have bleach residue left in your humidifier.
When using bleach, we recommended that you wear gloves. Bleach can burn the skin. Protect your eyes with eye-glasses as the fumes can irritate eyes. Bleach gives off powerful fumes that can cause respiratory irritation. It is a good idea to work outside in the fresh air. Take care not to spill drops of bleach onto your clothes or shoes, it is the perfect way to ruin your Outfit Of The Day.
Self Cleaning humidifiers
If cleaning is not for you, a great choice is to buy a self-clean humidifier.
Although no machine is 100% self-cleaning, some devices make use of advanced LED technology that sanitizes the humidifier as it operates.
Other models are made from antimicrobial plastic that is highly resistant to germs and bacteria. Another step forward in humidifier technology is the use of Ultraviolet sterilization. UV rays can reduce the spread of viruses, bacteria, and mold in humidifiers.
So, although you may not get away with never cleaning your humidifier, your cleaning routine will happen less often.
You can also choose to buy ‘easy to clean’ humidifiers or dishwasher-safe humidifiers. Both require less effort on your part to keep them clean.
Can a humidifier make you sick?
Yes, unfortunately, there is such a thing as humidifier sickness. It is caused by not cleaning your humidifier as recommended.
Mold, bacteria, and fungi grow in water and a humidifier provides the perfect environment for this. Once these unwanted organisms have established your humidifier as their home, they will be expelled into the air you breathe and make you ill.
See our Step by Step Guide to Remove Mold from humidifier.
If you clean your device regularly, you should not have to worry about this problem.
Summary
Humidifiers are great for alleviating many health issues like dry skin, sinusitis, stuffy noses, runny noses, hay fever, allergies, and snoring. The last thing you want to do is have your humidifier make you ill.
If you neglect to clean your humidifier you will create a breeding ground for germs, bacteria, and mold. When these are expelled into the air, they can make you sick.
Cleaning your humidifier is not a difficult task and should be done at least once a week for ultrasonic and smaller models.
For busy people, there are options to buy easy to clean humidifiers or self cleaning humidifiers.
Take a look at our comparison tables to find out the cleaning requirements for our recommended humidifiers.
