Step By Step To Clean A Humidifier

If we're completely honest, we don't give our humidifiers enough credit. Of course, a humidifier is not as essential as, say, an oven or a smoke detector.

However, the increased humidity they bring makes our days at home much more pleasant. So why shouldn't we give it a little love with a deep cleaning every now and then? Since a humidifier injects moisture into your room, you might think of it as a low-maintenance, self-cleaning machine.

But in reality? It is one of the most important devices to stay in excellent shape. Don't worry, keeping your humidifier in top condition is not as difficult as you think. Do you want proof? We called in cleaning expert Dean Davies to show how this is done.

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Step one: prepare your humidifier

Although your humidifier handles water all day, every day, it is still a household appliance and must be handled with the utmost care. Therefore, before you begin, Davies recommends preparing your machine for a thorough cleaning.

"Unplug the humidifier from the power source and remove it completely," he recommends.

And while you're at it? Go ahead and empty out the old water.

Step two: recruit white vinegar

Didn't you know that the secret to cleaning your humidifier may already be hidden in your kitchen cupboard? Davies is a big fan of using distilled white vinegar, which is so acidic that it can successfully dislodge and dissolve dirt, grease, and grime, all without harsh chemicals.

For best results, Davies recommends filling the base of the humidifier with white distilled vinegar so that the heating element is completely submerged in it.

"Let it work for 30 minutes," he adds. "This will help remove any scale or mineral build-up from the heating element."

But don't throw out that white vinegar just yet; Davies recommends filling the humidifier reservoir with equal parts water and vinegar.

"Close and shake vigorously to spread the solution inside the reservoir," he shares. "Then let it sit for about 30 minutes."

Step three: rub

While distilled white vinegar does an amazing job of cutting through stubborn sand and dirt, it's not foolproof. After those 30 minutes, you may need to apply a little effort, especially if this is the first time in a long time that you have cleaned your humidifier. Don't worry, Davies takes care of you.

"When the time is up, empty the humidifier base and use a toothbrush or cotton swab to clean the remaining dirt from the heating element and base," he shares. "Rinse well and use a paper towel to dry."

As for your humidifier tank? Davies recommends rinsing off the vinegar and water mixture and wiping the interior with a microfiber cloth.

Step four: soak up the rest

Your humidifier is probably more than a base and a reservoir. If his model has several smaller pieces, Davies recommends soaking them in a mixture of warm soapy water and vinegar. (Isn't that distilled white vinegar a game changer?) Like the rest of his humidifier, he recommends soaking these smaller accessories for 30 minutes.

Step five: let it dry

Congratulations! You are almost done cleaning your humidifier. After all the pieces have been soaked and scrubbed to your liking, it is time to rinse and allow to dry. Since the humidifier is electric, you need to be very careful before plugging it back in. After everything is dry, reassemble the humidifier and check for an additional rise in humidity.