How To Clean Inside Humidifier Tank

When it's operating correctly, a humidifier will moisten the air inside your house and make it easier to breathe. However, a device with a dirty filter or chamber can pump dangerous bacteria into the air instead.^[1] Thankfully, you can clean out a humidifier at home using common supplies like vinegar.

1
Rinse the filter. Unplug the humidifier first, then remove the filter. Hold it under the faucet and rinse it with cold water to wash away any impurities. Set it on a clean towel to dry while you clean the remaining parts.
- Don't use a cleaning solution to clean the filter. Chemicals can permanently damage the filter so that it will no longer work properly.
- You may have a model of humidifier that requires you to change the filter every now and then. If this is the case, check the manufacturer's instructions and change the filter as often as is recommended.
2
Wash the water tank. Remove the tank from the humidifier and pour out the old water. Fill the tank with 3 cups of vinegar, swish it around so that it covers the bottom and sides of the tank, and let it sit for at least 1 hour. The vinegar acts as a natural cleanser that loosens buildup from the bottom of the water tank. Rinse the tank thoroughly when you're finished.^[2]
- If necessary, use a scrub brush to scrub away some of the grime at the bottom of the water tank.
- Using another type of cleaner could have negative consequences since the liquid from the water tank gets pumped into the air. Stick with vinegar to make sure you're creating a safe environment for your family.
- If the water tank does not have access for a brush, put in a few tablespoons of rice with the vinegar and cold water to make a loose slurry. Close the tank and agitate vigorously for a minute or so and then let stand for a while. Repeat until the grime has been dislodged. Rinse thoroughly to make sure all the grains are washed out.
3

Wipe down the frame. Use a sponge dampened with vinegar and water to wipe the remaining parts of the humidifier. This prevents dust and other debris from entering the water tank and inhibits the growth of mold or bacteria.

1
Use a bleach and water solution. ^[3] Pour a gallon of water and a teaspoon of bleach into the water tank. Let the solution sit in the tank for an hour to completely sanitize the inside of the tank. Pour out the solution and rinse with clean, cold water.
- Be sure the tank has been thoroughly rinsed before you replace it on the humidifier frame.
- Don't let the bleach sit in the humidifier for more than an hour, or it could damage the machine.
- Don't mix bleach and vinegar, or peroxide and vinegar since they could create harmful byproducts.
2

Use peroxide. ^[4] Pour a few cups of peroxide into the water tank. Swish it around so that it covers the bottom and sides of the tank. Allow the peroxide to sit in the tank for an hour, then pour it out and rinse the tank with cold water.
3
Do a deep clean with vinegar. Fill the water tank with a cup of vinegar and a gallon of water. Plug it in outside and let the humidifier run for an hour. After an hour, pour out the remaining liquid from the tank, rinse it with clean water, then fill it with clean water and run the humidifier for another hour. Rinse out the tank one more time before using.
- Don't run the humidifier indoors when you're using vinegar in the water tank. It will make your home smell like vinegar.
- Add a few drops essential oil to your humidifier if there is any lingering vinegar smell after your deep clean.
- Don't use bleach or any other chemical to do a deep clean through the working part of the humidifier. Turning the humidifier on and running chemicals through the system could cause permanent damage.

1

Change the water often. Leaving water to sit in the water tank for long periods of time causes mineral deposits to collect on the bottom and sides. The longer you leave the water sitting there, the more deposits will collect and the harder they'll be to remove. Change your water every day or every other day to avoid bacterial growth.^[5]
2

Clean the humidifier every three days. ^[6] When the humidifier is in heavy use during the winter or when a family member has a cold, clean it every three days with a simple vinegar or hydrogen peroxide rinse. Do a deep clean every two weeks or so.
3
Replace the humidifier when necessary. Old humidifiers that have gotten a lot of use may start to break down over time. The worn-out parts will be more prone to hosting bacterial growth.^[7]
- If you've had your humidifier for more than a five years or so, you might want to consider replacing it.
- If you aren't ready to replace your older humidifier, make sure to clean it with bleach or peroxide every few weeks.
4

Keep the area around the humidifier dry. If the humidifier is causing the area around it to become damp, turn it down. Surrounding the humidifier with dampness can lead to the growth of bacteria and mold.
5

Store the humidifier properly. When it's time to put the machine away after the winter, clean it thoroughly and make sure it is completely dry before putting it away.^[8] When you take it out again next year, clean it again before using.

Add New Question

Question

Can I let the filter dry out until the next time I use my humidifier if I don't use it every day?

Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016.

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Yes, letting the filter dry out will be beneficial, as it will allow it to fully air out and be rid of any bacterial growth.
Question

How do you remove calcium out of a humidifier?

Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids based in northern Colorado. Driscoll received her Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health in 2016.

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Cleaning the humidifier with vinegar will help remove the calcium and other water deposits.
Question

How do I clean water from a spilled humidifier from upholstery?

The water shouldn't affect the upholstery or cause damage/discoloration to your furniture, so you should just be able to towel dry the spot.
Question

Can any part of my humidifier go in the dishwasher?

It depends on the humidifier and the exact pieces. To be safe, I would avoid putting any part of your humidifier in the dishwasher.
Question

If I'm running my humidifier for an hour with vinegar, do I do it with the filter in place or without the filter?

Without. Vinegar, bleach, and other chemicals could damage the filter. Most filters should only be rinsed with water.
Question

Can you use peroxide, instead of vinegar, to deep clean the humidifier or will it damage it like bleach?

Only use vinegar! All other chemicals can damage the unit. Read the article again.
Question

Do I need to clean outside of the humidifier?

Yes. Start by taking all the components apart and hand washing them one by one. Then, hand dry them and put them back together.
Question

Can adding vinegar to a portable humidifier water tank prevent water bacteria from growing?

Yes, but do not run the humidifier with the vinegar inside.
Question

How do I treat water bacteria?

Buy a bacteriostat solution to add to the water.
Question

I have found a pink residue on the inside of my humidifier - what is it from?

Anywhere there is water there is usually mold, and a nice warm container is the perfect environment. Poor quality humidifiers can put bad spores into your breathing air. Get a new one. Vicks makes a good one that grows very little mold.

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If you're trying to stay away from harsh cleaning chemicals, use vinegar to break up the water solids.
Depending on water contents, other cleaning solutions may be used.
Use distilled water to prevent hard water buildup and bacterial growth.^[9]

Make sure humidifier has had time to cool down before cleaning.

Things You'll Need

Dish soap
De-lime spray or solution
Non-abrasive brush
Warm water

About this article

Article SummaryX

You should clean your humidifier every 1-2 weeks to keep it from getting dirty and putting bacteria into the air. To perform a basic cleaning, first open the case of your humidifier and remove the filter. Rinse the filter under running cold water to clean it, then set it aside to air dry. Next, remove the water tank from your humidifier and pour out any old water. Rinse the tank out with water, then pour 3 cups (710 mL) of white vinegar into it. Swirl the vinegar around in the tank and let it sit for 1 hour. Finally, rinse the tank out and let it air dry. To deep clean your humidifier, first fill the water tank ¾ of the way with water. Then, fill the remainder of the tank with white vinegar. Run the humidifier outside for at least 1 hour to clean it. Finally, pour the vinegar out of the tank and rinse the tank out with water. For tips on how to store the humidifier to prevent bacterial growth, scroll down!

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