How to Easily Clean a Humidifier

Clean a humidifier regularly with hydrogen peroxide.

During the winter months, humidifiers relieve dry skin, lips and throats and can remedy static electricity and furniture cracks. Since excess moisture from humidifiers can contribute to mold growth, which damages property and aggravates allergies, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends cleaning your unit every three days. Humidifier maintenance is relatively easy with a few common household products.

Things You'll Need

• Brush or scrubber
• 3% hydrogen peroxide solution

Instructions

1. Unplug the humidifier.

2. Empty the humidifier's water tank.

3. Remove film or deposits on the sides of the tank or the humidifier's interior surfaces with a brush or scrubber.

4. Clean surfaces that come in contact with water with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. If your humidifier instructions recommend an alternative cleaning product, use that instead.

5. Rinse the humidifier with tap water several times if you used a cleaning or disinfectant product.

6. Wipe all surfaces dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Use distilled water in your humidifier to prevent mineral build-up.

References

• EPA: Use and Care of Home Humidifiers