Importance of Maintaining a Clean Humidifier
Getting a humidifier for your home is possibly the best decision that one can make. It offers a great way to add moisture to your indoor space. A humidifier helps soothe cracked lips, bloody noses, and dry sinuses. It is essential for dry indoor air. Besides, cool mist humidifiers help those suffering from a cold or any other respiratory condition. Whether you own a humidifier or are thinking of buying one for health benefits such as easier breathing and sleeping, it is important that you maintain a clean humidifier. If the humidifier becomes too dirty, it would end up creating a dangerous environment. Besides, machines that have not been properly cleaned release harmful particles which can take a toll on your respiratory health. When you regularly clean the humidifier, you get to decrease the risk of inhaling unsafe particles. Besides, an unclean humidifier would breed bacteria and mold which would prove to be a nuisance if you have asthma or allergies. It is also important that you maintain the humidity levels. If the humidity levels become too high, you could get sick.
The Right Humidity Level
Humidity levels are influenced by your geographic location, the weather, and the season. They are much lower during winter and higher in summer. Generally, it is advised to maintain humidity at around 30 to 50 percent at home. If humidity is too high or low, it would cause a variety of problems as mentioned below.
- High Humidity: It would cause condensation on the floors, walls, and other surfaces while also making your house seem stuffy. Condensation would result in harmful bacteria as well as molds and dust mites spreading which would lead to respiratory problems and even trigger asthma and allergy issues.
- Low Humidity: If humidity levels are low, your eyes would feel itchy, your nasal passages and throat would become irritated, and your skin would get dry.
Why You Need To Keep Cool Mist Humidifiers Clean?
For the ultimate humidifier treatment, you need to keep your humidifier clean. If the filters and reservoirs in your humidifier become dirty, they would become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. People who have allergies and asthma would experience problems if the humidifier becomes dirty. However, dirty humidifiers also affect healthy people as they trigger-like symptoms and can even cause lung infections. Since humidifiers release moisture, the process may also release the following particles.
- Chemicals
- Minerals
- Molds
- Bacteria
The above can settle as white dust or appear invisible to the naked eye. When you breathe in the elements, your lungs would become irritated. Therefore, you need to clean your dirty humidifier and ensure that it remains clean at all times.
Tops Tips to Clean and Maintain Humidifiers
1. Always Wash and Dry Your Humidifier Once You Are Done Using It
One of the most important tips that you need to consider is washing and drying your humidifier after each use. Start by emptying the water in the humidifier after you are done using it. Then, thoroughly rinse the water basin using a humidifier cleaner. You can even create your own humidifier cleaning solution by mixing a gallon of water with a teaspoon of chlorine bleach. Pour the solution on the water basin and wipe it clean using a cloth. Otherwise, you can even use regular soap to get the job done. Once you are done cleaning the humidifier, you can leave it to dry. Do not forget to unplug the humidifier before you start the cleaning.
2. Review the Manufacturer’s Instructions
Before you begin deep cleaning, you have to first go through the manufacturer’s instructions. You never know what you might need to do to ensure that your humidifier is perfectly clean. The instructions will provide you with some guidance on how to thoroughly clean your humidifier and certain parts of it. However, it is important to keep in mind that humidifiers that have been permanently installed must be serviced by a professional on a regular basis.
If you have a central humidifier, you will need to read the instructions to know how to get it to work efficiently for as long as possible. You can always ask your cooling and heating specialist for advice on proper maintenance.
3. Use Appropriate Cleaning Tools and Products
To ensure that the machine does not have any potential toxins, you must use a humidifier tank cleaner from time to time. However, your manufacturer might even recommend a specific cleaner for clearing out the toxins from the machine. Generally, you should stick to a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution for cleaning purposes. You should also consider using a scrubbing brush for reaching small areas that require thorough cleaning. In addition to this, you also need to check for descaler for humidifiers as scales require additional cleaning. Then, you have to rinse the machine using water before you put it to use again.
Humidifier Drops by Dry Element
If your humidifier is extremely dirty or looks worn out, you need to get your hands on Humidifier Drops by Dry Element. It is the perfect humidifier cleaner for every type of humidifier out there. Made in the USA, the humidifier cleaning solution has countless 5-star ratings on Amazon that will make you realize why it is the main deal. The following reasons reveal everything it has to offer.
- Healthier option: Dry Element offers advanced humidifier treatment with this advanced engineered option. It ensures that your humidifier performs in peak condition and stops organic material buildup. Anyone who has asthma will find it to be the best option.
- Less Buildup: A great thing about Humidifier Drops is that it actively fights odor and deposits. This means that you can count on it to ensure that your humidifier lasts a long time. It even prevents rust stains which is something that you cannot expect from most humidifier cleaners in the market.
Amazing Versatility: The best thing about Humidifier Drops is that it provides amazing versatility. It is a universal humidifier cleaner that delivers outstanding results.
4. Replace the Filter
There are certain humidifier parts that require replacement regularly. Evaporators and central humidifiers have filters that can either be replaced or cleaned. You will have to go through the manufacturer’s instructions to determine how to properly replace the filter or any other part.
The manufacturer would also mention how often you should change the filter. It is always a good idea to purchase some additional filters and keep them with you for instant replacement. Moreover, you also need to change the filter in your air conditioner and heating unit to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.
5. Always Use Distilled Water with Each Use
The next tip that you need to consider using distilled water each time you use a humidifier. It tends to be free of minerals and various materials that would otherwise be released into the air. Before you get distilled water, you have to review the label since not every bottled water is distilled. The fact is that tap water contains various minerals which would remain in the humidifier and cause bacterial growth. These minerals would stick to furniture and other items and spread into the air. Hence, you should consider getting demineralization filters or cartridges to stay on the safe side.
6. Keep the Humidifier Area Dry
In addition to the above, it is important that you keep the humidifier area as dry as possible to avoid mold or any other build-up. You should also check carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, and window treatments to ensure that there is no trapped moisture.
If the area becomes damp, you will need to stop, remove, or at least turn down the humidifier. Keep an eye on the tablecloths and drapes in the room where you use the humidifier. It will ensure that the humidity level is not harmful.
7. Clean the Humidifier before Storage
A notable tip that you need to consider when using a humidifier is to clean it before you store it. The same goes for when you take it out from storage. Get in the habit of thoroughly cleaning and drying the humidifier before storage. Darin the humidifier and clean it for storage. Make sure to dispose of the filters and any other replaceable product. Besides this, you also have to ensure that the humidifier is kept in a dry space.
8. Consider Getting a New Humidifier
Now that you know how to clean and maintain a humidifier, it is crucial that you know when to replace an old humidifier. With time, the humidifier that you use will build up deposits which you would have a difficult time getting rid of. Such a humidifier would only encourage bacteria growth. Hence, you would be better off with a new humidifier. Moreover, if you struggle to remove mold from your humidifier, it would be best that you dispose it. Besides, it is important that you replace an old machine with a new one to reap the benefits of the latest technology.