A humidifier is an excellent investment if you live somewhere cold and dry. It can enhance the air quality inside your house. It also helps prevent the usual ailments that come with cold weather. You also won’t have to worry about dry skin and chapped lips.
This handy little tool is a lifesaver. But it doesn’t often get the care and respect it deserves. It doesn’t get regular maintenance. May owners don’t even bother to clean it before storing it away.
This is dangerous as molds and mildew can grow in humidifiers. The constant moisture and heat make it an ideal breeding ground for molds and bacteria. You don’t want to end up breathing this stuff.
Housekeeping Tips Burr Ridge IL: How to Clean a Humidifier
How often should you clean a humidifier? You should check your unit’s manufacturer’s manual. Most recommend cleaning it once a week. However, the EPA says humidifiers should be cleaned every three days. The good news is that cleaning and disinfecting will take an hour or less. It won’t take away from your house cleaning schedule.
Prepare What You’ll Need
There are many types of humidifiers. Each model has a different design and a distinct build. But most will have an operating base and a water tank. These are the two critical elements you’ll be cleaning. You should have the following on hand:
- Water
- White vinegar
- Hydrogen peroxide or bleach
- Brush with soft bristles
- Clean towels
- Gloves
Unplug and Empty the Base
The first thing you should do is unplug the humidifier. Lift off the water reservoir and pour out any remaining water. Set it aside. You should also empty the base of the humidifier of water. Check if there are special instructions in the manual. You want to know if there are things you should avoid so you don’t get the electrical components in the base wet. Tip the base and let the water empty out. Make sure you secure the cord.
Fill It with Vinegar
Pour vinegar into the base. It should be full enough to reach all the areas that come in contact with water. You can also make a cleaning solution of a cup each of water and vinegar. Let the liquid sit on the base for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. The vinegar solution will loosen up any gunk buildup.
Turn your attention to the water tank while the base is soaking. Fill it with a cleaning solution. You can use the same water and vinegar mixture. Some cleaning experts suggest pouring two cups of white vinegar into the tank and sealing it. You can also mix one teaspoon of bleach with a gallon of water. This is also an effective cleaning solution. Let the water stand in the reservoir for 30 minutes to an hour. You can swish the water around every ten minutes or so if you like. Some prefer to keep swirling the water around until their arm gets tired.
Scrub and Rinse
Empty the base and the water reservoir. Scrub away the remaining residue with a brush. Use one with soft bristles. You can also use an old toothbrush to clean those crevices and corners in the base. You can also disinfect it with a bleach solution if you want.
Rinse the humidifier base and water tank. Do this several times until you can’t smell the vinegar or bleach. Place all the parts on a clean towel. Let it air dry for a few hours. This will also help get rid of any lingering smells. Assemble once dry. Your humidifier is once again ready for action.
Keeping the Air Clean in Burr Ridge IL
A clean home means fresh air and healthy bodies. Helping Hands Cleaning Services in Burr Ridge IL will make sure you get it. Our company is one of the best cleaners for hire. We’ve been in the industry for years and have not failed in keeping offices and residences spotless. Our well-trained and reliable cleaning team is always ready to serve. You can call us at (630) 530-1324 or click here.