Even in Fresno, the upcoming winter will bring with it dry air. So that you can breathe comfortably once more, it's time to dig your humidifier out of storage. What happens, though, if you don't clean your humidifier frequently enough and store it while it's still damp? You might discover that your humidifier has mold growing in it right now!
But don't panic, cleaning a moldy humidifier is a rather easy and simple procedure. We'll go through a few different techniques you can employ to effectively and properly clean a moldy humidifier.
Why Use a Humidifier in the Winter?
You might start noticing that you wake up with a congested nose and a dry, scratchy, or even hurting throat as winter approaches. This is likely a result of the air being significantly drier throughout the winter, which is bad for your throat and nose.
Your respiratory system and everything else around it lose moisture to the dry winter air. This dry air can cause nasal congestion, a sore throat, and even nosebleeds when breathed in at night.
That does not imply, however, that the better the air is the more humid. Humidity is the main component that promotes the formation of mold. If you want to keep hazardous black mold from growing in your house, you shouldn't let the humidity level in your house rise beyond 40%.
How to Remove Mold from a Humidifier
Use 3% hydrogen peroxide to remove mold from a humidifier quickly and easily.
- Fill the humidifier's tank with a solution of four parts water to one part hydrogen peroxide.
- After giving it a good shake, leave it alone for at least 30 minutes.
- Pour it out and use water to wash the tank.
Use distilled white vinegar to clean your moldy humidifier if you prefer a more natural approach. Although there are a few minor differences, the procedure is similar to using hydrogen peroxide to clean a humidifier.
- Fill the tank with a solution of one part distilled white vinegar to one part water.
- Shake it well, then leave it alone for at least an hour.
- Pour it out and use water to wash the tank.
After rinsing the tank using either of these ways, you should take a peek inside. Use a stiff bristle brush, such as a bottle brush, to knock any remaining mold or debris out of the tank's interior, and then repeat the operation if necessary.
To prevent harming the humidifier, we advise that you always follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions for the humidifier's base.
When Should Your Humidifier Be Cleaned?
You should clean your humidifier frequently, according to WebMD. weekly, at the very least. You should daily empty and dry the tank in addition to performing a deep clean every week.
To avoid aggressively distributing mold throughout your house, be sure to periodically clean your humidifier. Mold may develop and spread in winter even though it prefers warm environments to do so.
