Cleaning and Maintaining Your Humidifier

With humidifier season coming up, it is important to start the season out with a clean and well-maintained unit.

If you own one of our evaporative units, make sure you have Bacteriostat to protect bacteria, mold and algae growth in your humidifier.

Any units with the capability to diffuse essential oils should have the essential oil pad replaced.

Our MESA, DUET, PILLAR and AURORA units feature demineralization cartridges to prevent mineral build up inside your unit. We recommend replacing the demineralization cartridges every 60-90 days, now could be a great time to replace it!

Now for the fun stuff—cleaning your unit.

There are differences in how your unit should be cleaned based on the kind of humidifier it is.

Cleaning an Ultrasonic Humidifier 

1. Completely empty the water from your humidifier. If you’re using one, remove the demineralization cartridge.

2. Filling the tank a little over half-full with water, add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Pour a small amount of the vinegar-water mixture into the base.

3. Replace the water cap, shake the tank gently, and let sit for 20 minutes.

4. With the mixture in the base, use a soft cloth to clean the inside of the base. Gently scrub the oscillator (the dark ring in the basin). Let sit for 20 minutes.

5. After 20 minutes, empty the water tank and base. Dampen a sponge or cloth with white vinegar and wipe down the base, tank, tank nozzle and cap. Rinse everything thoroughly.

6. Dry everything with a clean cloth and replace the demineralization cartridge, if needed. Then reassemble your unit.

Evaporative humidifiers are just as easy to clean, but they do have a few more steps since they included a wick.

Cleaning an Evaporative Humidifier 

1. To disassemble your humidifier, remove the top, fan assembly, bottles, and the wick. We recommend replacing your wick every 30-90 days depending on water quality, areas with hard water may need to be changed more frequently. If it is time to replace your wick, throw it away. If not, place it in a sink while you finish cleaning your unit.

2. Remove any remaining water from the cabinet and water tanks.

3. Filling the cabinet half-full with water, add 1 cup of white vinegar. Let sit for 20 minutes.

4. Filling the water bottles half-full with water, add 1 cup of white vinegar to each. Replace the caps, shake the bottles gently, then let them sit for 20 minutes.

5. After 20 minutes, empty the cabinet and bottles.

6. Dampen a sponge or cloth with white vinegar, wipe down the cabinet interior and bottles, then rinse everything thoroughly.

7. Dry everything with a clean cloth and replace the wick, if needed. Then reassemble your humidifier.

If you have any questions regarding your unit or need replacement parts, please feel free to contact our customer care team by phone at 800-643-3888 or live chat.

Now that your humidifier is clean, be sure to enjoy a comfortable and soothing winter season!