How to Clean Your Humidifier Using Vinegar

Katie Holdefehr
·5 min read

No one wants a bunch of germy air floating around their home.

Whether you have a brand new humidifier or an older model, learning how to clean your humidifier regularly is important to prevent it from spreading bacteria around your home. (If you're trying to stay one step ahead during cold and flu season, airborne bacteria is the last thing you need!)

To learn the best way to do it, we reached out to Sarah Drake, the seasonal humidifiers brand manager for Honeywell Humidifiers. Follow the steps below to clean a humidifier with vinegar and start breathing a little easier.

How Often to Clean a Humidifier

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you clean your humidifier every three days. However, if you follow Drake's steps, she says you can clean your humidifier weekly.

Considerations Before You Get Started

Be a Smart Consumer

It may sound obvious, but the surefire way to make cleaning your humidifier a breeze is simply to buy one that's easy to clean. A humidifier with a large tank opening can be cleaned without needing a ton of brushes or tools. "Make sure you can get your whole hand into the tank so that you can easily empty, wipe, and refill it with fresh, clean water," says Drake.

Refresh the Water Daily

"The mist from your humidifier is only as clean as the water in the tank," says Drake. To make sure only fresh, germ-free air is floating around your room, be sure to refill the tank daily with clean water.

Tap water is fine to use in a humidifier, but if you want to avoid the descaling routine below, consider filling the tank with distilled water. Distilled water doesn't contain minerals, so it won't leave any residue on the sides or bottom of the humidifier.

What You Need:

  • Distilled water

  • Undiluted white vinegar

  • Bleach

  • Protec humidifier cleaning ball ($11.50; target.com)

How to Clean a Humidifier With Vinegar

If you're filling the humidifier tank with tap water, the walls of the machine will collect mineral buildup (or scale) over time. Here's how to remove scale:

Step 1: Add Vinegar to the Tank

Turn off the unit. Add about two cups of undiluted white vinegar to the water receptacle and drain it into the reservoir. "Make sure to follow the manufacturer's cleaning guidelines, but many humidifiers can be descaled by filling the water tank with white vinegar, letting it sit for 20 minutes on the base, and then rinsing with fresh water," advises Drake.

Step 2: Scrub Surfaces and Crevices

Dampen a cloth with the white vinegar and wipe all surfaces. To get into tight crevices, use undiluted vinegar and a toothbrush to scrub away the scale. If the water tank has a nozzle or spout, detach it and let it soak in a vinegar and water solution. Rinse with hot water before replacing it.

Step 3: Disinfect and Rinse

Next, disinfect the machine with a small amount of bleach.

  • Start by making sure the tank is completely free of any vinegar residue. (Vinegar and bleach should not mix; they can form chlorine gas, which is harmful if inhaled.)

  • Mix a solution of 1 gallon of water mixed with 1 teaspoon of bleach and let it sit in the tank for 20 minutes.

  • Rinse the machine until the bleach smell is gone.

Step 4: Add a Cleaning Ball to the Reservoir

To keep the tank cleaner for longer, Drake suggests dropping a Protec Cleaning Ball into the water. "The ball reduces up to 99 percent of odor-causing bacteria, unsightly mold, and algae growth. It contains no harmful chemicals and keeps cleaning for 30 days."

Seasonal Upkeep

  • Always empty the water tank when the humidifier is not being used. Bacteria can grow in standing water.

  • If you have the option, put your humidifier on the automatic shut-off setting. This will turn it off when it reaches the desired humidity, saving energy and prolonging the filter's life.

  • Speaking of filters, replace yours every 30-60 days. "Be sure to replace it regularly with antimicrobial treated filters that help prevent the migration of mold, algae, and bacteria on the filter," recommends Drake. Not only will this ensure that the mist your humidifier produces is clean, but it could also help extend the life of the machine so you get the most use out of it.

FAQ

Can I run vinegar or bleach through a humidifier?

Though vinegar and bleach are suitable for cleaning a humidifier, you should not add either to the water while running. This can irritate your eyes, throat, and lungs. Also, never combine vinegar and bleach, which will form chlorine gas, a pulmonary irritant that can cause respiratory damage if inhaled.

How can I tell if there is mold in my humidifier?

Mold can be detected through sight and smell. It might be visible as black or green stains on the surface of the humidifier or on carpets or walls nearby. Or you might catch a musty odor emitting from the unit.

What will happen if I never clean my humidifier?

Eventually, bacteria and mold will build up inside your humidifier, filling the air with harmful microorganisms. if you breathe in these germs, you could end up with respiratory infections or viral lung inflammation.

Related:Read Next: Should You Use a Humidifier to Hydrate Dry Skin?

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