Clean the humidifier thoroughly to ensure the air in your home remains healthy

During the winter we often have to deal with respiratory system problems such as colds, nasal congestion and dry skin; These problems are often cause by the home's heating system, which dries out the air (reducing humidity levels to as low as 30-50%).

Humidifiers can help to restore the proper humidity levels in a home. However, due to the constant presence of water inside these machines, they quickly become fertile ground for the proliferation of mold and bacteria, which will then be released into the air (and could damage the humidifier itself).

To avoid these risks, you need to clean your humidifier regularly.

While ensuring we respect the instructions of the manufacturer's maintenance manual, there are natural products that you can use to help keep your humidifier clean. Read on to find out more:

Daily care for humidifiers

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Constantly in contact with water, your humidifiers can develop mold and bacteria very easily. But there are actions you can take to reduce this risk:

• Always use distilled or demineralized water; tap water contains many minerals and microorganisms which can facilitate the formation of mold and bacteria. Using distilled and demineralised water will slow down this growth;
• Empty out the tank completely after each use and let it dry out thoroughly; this also applies if you use your humidifier on a daily basis. Remember that still water stagnates and facilitates the growth of germs;
• Make sure that there is no slimy film on the walls of the tank. If there is, rinse this away and the tank to dry out thoroughly.

Weekly and monthly cleaning of a humidifier

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Additionally, there are weekly and monthly cleaning procedures you should follow to keep your humidifier clean:

• Once a week, it is necessary to dismantle the humidifier and carefully wash all the removable parts that do not have electrical connections. For this operation, you can use a solution of white vinegar or citric acid. 2 tablespoons in 500 ml of water will be enough. Then, scrub all the parts in this solution, using a sponge or an old toothbrush. This way, you will eliminate any limescale and mineral build-up. In case of particularly stubborn build-ups, you can use vinegar or neat citric acid and leave the part to soak for about 20 minutes;
• Once a month, you should sanitize your humidifier using a solution of 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide in 1 liter of water. This mixture will kill off any mold and bacteria. Immerse only the plastic parts in this solution, treating the metal parts with the vinegar or citric acid solution (described above). Dry off thoroughly once washed.

Thanks to this cleaning routine, your humidifier/s will always be in pristine condition.