Humidifiers and diffusers alike are one of the handiest tools to have in your home. They can be absolute lifesavers, as they promote focus and sleep, help alleviate dry conditions, and more. However, if mold and other bacteria are hiding in your humidifier or diffuser, then these tools are actually health hazards! You definitely don’t want mold and bacteria being dispersed into your air!
It’s important to properly care for these gadgets and clean them often. So, here’s how to clean your humidifier or diffuser, as well as how to keep them fresh and functional.
What You’ll Need:
- White vinegar
- A soft cloth (we recommend a microfiber cleaning cloth)
- A small sponge
How to Properly Clean Your Humidifier or Diffuser
Most humidifiers and diffusers come with instructions for that particular model, so be sure to check those instructions first. However, most can be cleaned by doing the following:
- Unplug your diffuser/humidifier and empty out all water.
- Remove any loose, washable components, like the lid.
- Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water and fill the water tank with this solution. Let sit for at least half an hour.
- Mix another solution of equal parts white vinegar and water in a bowl. Place all loose components of the humidifier in the solution, and let sit for at least half an hour.
- Once 30 minutes has passed, swirl the white vinegar mixture around to shake up any dirt and grime. Then empty the water tank and remove the loose components from the solution.
- Apply another white vinegar/water solution to a cloth and wipe down both the outside and inside of your humidifier/diffuser, as well as all loose pieces.
- If there’s any residue left behind, use the rough side of a sponge to scrub it away,
- Finally, wipe everything down with a damp cloth and let everything dry completely before reassembling and running your humidifier/diffuser!
We talked about how awesome and effective white vinegar is in another blog. But, in case you missed it, white vinegar is a terrific cleaning agent and disinfectant that can dissolve dirt, grime, mineral deposits, and bacteria. It will have your humidifier or diffuser squeaky clean and free of bacteria in no time!
We recommend that you stick to using white vinegar to clean your humidifiers and diffusers and stay away from products like soap or detergent. Using these types of agents will leave behind a residue that will then be pumped into your air.
How Often Should You Clean Your Humidifier or Diffuser?
Great question! How often you clean your humidifier or diffuser depends on how often you use it. If you use it pretty regularly, it’s best that you repeat the routine above about once a week. Even if you use it just a few times each week, it’s best to clean it every week! If you aren’t sure how often you need to clean your humidifier or diffuser, just clean it every week to be safe.
Tips to Consider to Properly Care for Your Humidifier & Diffuser
- Make sure your diffuser is completely drained after each use.
The last thing you want is stagnant water just sitting in your diffuser. Stagnant water provides the prime breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Not only that, you also want to make sure that the water that is dispersed into the air that you breathe is as fresh as possible. So, you don’t want to use leftover, stagnant water in your diffuser.
- Be sure to clean your filter, if your humidifier requires it.
Diffusers don’t really have filters, but some humidifiers do. If your humidifier has a filter that requires maintenance, don’t forget to replace or clean it. Generally, the filter will just need to be replaced or cleaned every so often. Your humidifier should have come with specific instructions on how to perform these tasks, so refer back to the manual when in doubt!
- Use distilled water.
Although tap water is just fine to use, distilled water is better. This is because tap water contains different minerals and deposits that will cause build-up in your water tank. This build-up not only makes it harder to clean your humidifier/diffuser, but it then eventually gets dispersed into the air. So, if possible, try to use distilled water. However, if you need to use tap water, just be sure to regularly clean your humidifier/diffuser and always drain any leftover water after each use.
Contact Kauai Green Cleaning Services For All of Your Cleaning Needs!
Our property care services at Kauai Green Cleaning Services will handle anything you need done for your home or business in the best, most eco-friendly manner possible. From basic residential house cleaning and yard care services to move-out cleaning and minor maintenance services, we are your one-stop shop! With years of cleaning experience and countless pleased customers, we are sure that you will be thoroughly satisfied with our services.
Contact us today at (808) 652-5391 to schedule your property care service, or, don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any inquiries you may have. You can also reach out to us via online messaging or social media!
