If you find yourself experiencing parched skin, congestion and annoying sniffles at night, then it may be time to get a humidifier. According to Good Housekeeping Institute's Cleaning Lab experts, the ideal moisture level in your home is 30% to 50%, and as the weather gets colder, those moisture levels drop. This is why some may purchase a warm or cool mist humidifier for their home. But for all the benefits of having a humidifier, lack of or improper cleaning can lead to mold and bacteria. That's why knowing when and how to clean a humidifier is important.
Below, we share expert cleaning tips and steps from Carolyn Forté, executive director of the GH Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab. Forté shares the best ways to clean a humidifier with and without vinegar (including hydrogen peroxide and bleach). After reading, you'll know exactly how to clean the base, tank and filter, along with how to keep your humidifier clean during the winter months and beyond.
Since the cleaning steps may differ based on your humidifier's type, Forté always recommends following the cleaning and maintenance instructions of your model. In fact, she suggests keeping the owner's manual available until you get the hang of cleaning your humidifier fully without it. And if you can't find the manual or the cleaning steps online, her guide below offers all the basics to get started.
Note: Don't wash a wick filter, as it can damage the paper-like material and potentially remove an antimicrobial coating. You're better off replacing the filter with a new one. Remove any filter before cleaning your humidifier's tank, base and parts.
How often should you clean a humidifier?
The answer might surprise you. At least once a week, turn off your humidifier and get cleaning — but you can certainly do it more frequently if you or anyone in your family has respiratory problems and you use it daily.
"The key, whatever the type, is to clean and maintain it regularly," Forté says. "Stagnant water is a magnet for bacteria growth, and you don't want bacteria spewing back into the air, especially if family members suffer from asthma or allergies."
Forté suggests adding fresh water every time you use your humidifier and emptying any remaining water when you turn it off. "It only takes a short time for bacteria to grow, so it's always best to start with fresh water," she says.
What you'll need to clean a humidifier
You don't need (and shouldn't use) detergents, abrasive brushes or scrubbers to clean a humidifier. Just gather up the following for routine cleaning:
- Distilled white vinegar or liquid chlorine bleach
- A small, soft brush, like a toothbrush or nylon dish brush
Never mix bleach and vinegar, as doing so can create a toxic gas. Use one method or the other.
How to clean a humidifier with vinegar
Both cool and warm mist humidifiers require a similar cleaning procedure, though some of the parts may differ. Some brands may also have parts that are dishwasher safe. Check the owner's manual to be sure.
Step 1: Unplug and empty the humidifier and disassemble it completely.
Step 2: For the base and tank, pour one to two cups of undiluted white vinegar into the water tank and swish it around to completely wet the interior of the tank. Some brands recommend a mix of white vinegar and water.
Step 3: Place the vinegar-filled tank on the base (or, if your humidifier allows, pour vinegar directly into the base), and allow the vinegar to drain into the reservoir to loosen mineral buildup. Let it stand for 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 4: Empty the vinegar from the tank and base, and use a small, soft brush to scrub the crevices and remove any stuck-on mineral deposits. For small parts like the tank cap, wipe with a clean cloth or sponge dipped in full-strength white vinegar. If your model has a valve on the bottom of the tank, manually press the release button to allow some vinegar to flow through it.
Step 5: Rinse all the parts thoroughly, air-dry, then reassemble.
How to clean a humidifier with bleach
Never mix bleach and vinegar, as doing so can create a toxic gas. Use one method or the other.
If you prefer, you can use a bleach solution in place of vinegar for regular weekly cleanings, or you can do a deeper clean monthly with bleach to kill bacteria and get rid of mold.
Step 1: Disassemble and clean your humidifier as outlined above.
Step 2: Mix one gallon of water with one teaspoon of liquid chlorine bleach. Pour one-half to three-quarters of the bleach solution into the water tank and swish it around to wet the entire inside. Some brands may recommend a mix of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water for this step. If your humidifier has a second tank, do the same with the remaining solution.
Step 3: Place the tank in the base and allow the bleach solution to drain into the water reservoir. Allow it to stand for 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 4: Empty the bleach solution from the tank(s) and base. Rinse with clear water until the scent of bleach is gone.
Step 5: Wipe dry and reassemble.
How to keep your humidifier clean
After giving your appliance a thorough cleaning, follow these steps to keep it running smoothly:
- Always empty the tank and reservoir when the humidifier's not in use. Bacteria can grow in as little as one to two days.
- To prolong the life of your wick filter, turn it over each time you fill the tank to keep the top from drying out and help the filter age more evenly.
- Replace the filter every 30 to 60 days, depending on condition and use, especially if it gets hard and crusty from water minerals, gives off an odor or the moisture output of the humidifier decreases.
- Remove and discard the filter, and ensure all parts are clean and dry before you put the humidifier into storage, per the manufacturer's directions.
Caroline is a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience. From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor, covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day Northwestern will go back to the Rose Bowl.
Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health and Avocado Magazine. She received her master's degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She's also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.
