Step #10: Step #9: Now rinse the humidifier’s tank, filter and plastic cover with clean tap water. Moisture is drawn in the filter material, and a fan causes the necessary evaporation. Hold it under the faucet and rinse it with cold water to wash away any impurities. For this use a cloth dipped in warm water or diluted vinegar. The humidifiers filter absorbs the reservoir water, which then evaporates into a room as humidity. Unplug the humidifier first, then remove the filter. If you let microbes grow inside your humidifier, you expose yourself—and your loved ones—to a myriad of respiratory infections. You can then proceed to clean your humidifier with white vinegar by adding 2 cups through the water tank. Bleach is a common chemical product that is effective in removing stain and mold. Take warm water in a bucket or sink to immerse the filter in it. Why You Shouldn’t Use Bleach To Clean A Humidifier Filter. Homer explained that to maintain top performance and control mold growth, humidifiers should be rinsed and refilled daily and deep cleaned weekly. The fan blows onto the wick, aiding in the evaporation. Don't use a cleaning solution to clean the filter. What is a filter? Remove the water tank, the cooling chamber, and the removable tray. But before opening the outer cover of the humidifier, you need to switch it off and remove the plug from the socket. Warm mist humidifier heats the water and uses its steam to add moisture into the air. How to Clean Warm Mist Humidifiers: For routine cleaning and maintenance, see the video below for your specific unit. Here are her recommendations. How Often Should You Clean a Humidifier? It Prevents the Humidifier from Pumping Out Harmful Bacteria and Minerals . Most guides would recommend you to use it to get rid of stubborn smudges but we beg to differ. To clean the heating element of your humidifier, follow these steps: Make sure the unit is off and unplugged. 2. Use warm water if possible, to get better cleaning results. Now mix one part of vinegar in every two parts of water. Should your unit use a Honeywell Humidifier Filter, be certain to remove the filter and set it aside (Please Note: You should never use white vinegar or bleach when cleaning a Honeywell Humidifier Filter). The water distribution manifold may be plastic or metal, depending on your style of humidifier. First you need to take out the filter of the humidifier. 3. Over concentration of bleach may discolor your humidifier and eat through the plastic filter. As bacteria and other pathogens cannot survive in boiling water, warm mist humidifiers don’t need filters. Once you are done cleaning your filter, replace it with a new one. 4.) Cool mist humidifier use filter as a wick. Rinse the filter. This solution will come in handy to wipe out any kind of hard mineral deposit in the filter. Cleaning Humidifier Filter with Vinegar. Let soak the humidifier filters in the pan containing water and vinegar mixture for 30 minutes. If metal, you may have to clean mineral deposits away with a chisel or flat-blade screwdriver. 1. In order to avoid cleaning or replacing a humidifiers filter, some people opt for humidifiers without filters, which work by electrostatic charge. 2. Set it on a clean towel to dry while you clean the remaining parts. Check the evaporator screen pad. We consulted with MaidPro cleaning expert Melissa Homer for the inside scoop on the proper way to clean a humidifier. Finally, you will want to clean the outer body of your humidifier. In the next step take a large container or bucket and fill it with lukewarm water such that the filter is engulfed in this. Learning how to clean a humidifier filter and tank—and doing it regularly—can prevent a potential health crisis before it happens. Be sure to clean your whole house humidifier components contaminated with mineral deposits at the end of the heating season. Humidifiers without filters.