Do you want to learn how to clean your Honeywell humidifier?
Honeywell makes a variety of humidifier models, and this article covers a safe and effective method for most Honeywell units.
In this guide, I will go over...
- How to clean Honeywell humidifiers step-by-step
- How to disinfect Honeywell humidifiers
- Why you should clean humidifier filters (not just the tank)
- And how often you should clean your humidifier
Let’s get started with this guide!
How To Clean A Honeywell Humidifier?
Some people may think cleaning their Honeywell humidifier is a big chore, but it is pretty easy. To thoroughly clean your Honeywell humidifier, there are two main steps: scale removal and disinfection.
It is important to first remove the humidifier scale. Scale is the build-up of minerals from your water --- mostly calcium and magnesium. These minerals usually have a whitish appearance, don't confuse it for white mold. You want to remove these minerals for the Honeywell humidifier to perform properly.
The second important part is to disinfect your Honeywell humidifier. Disinfection refers to the killing of microbes in your humidifier such as mold, bacteria, and viruses.
I also recommend using placing anti-microbial tablets in your water tank.
Using anti-microbial tablets will help ensure that mold never takes hold in your humidifier potentially causing health issues down the road.
How To Remove Scale For Honeywell Humidifiers?
Below are my step-by-step instructions on how to properly remove mineral debris in your Honeywell humidifier (scale) so it can perform it’s best and not cause any harm to you and your love ones. This guide can be applied to pretty much any portable Honeywell humidifier.
Cleaning Materials Needed
- 2 cups of vinegar
- 1 gallon of water
- A soft cloth
- Cotton Swab
Scale Removal Instructions
#1. Turn the power off, and disconnect the humidifier from the outlet.
#2. You must remove the water tank from the base of the humidifier, and completely drain it of water.
#3. Add 2 cups of undiluted distilled white vinegar to water tank. Replace tank cap and swish vinegar solution around in tank. Place tank on base. Now you will want to insert 2-cups of pure white vinegar into the tank. Re-install the water cap, and jostle around the vinegar in the tank. And re-install the tank back onto the humidifier so the vinegar can remove minerals on the nebulizer. (The nebulizer is the small nozzle or device that produces the fine spray of water.) This process will also loosen scale on bottom of the water tank.
#4. Soak for 15-25 minutes.
#5. After the solution has soaked, pour out the vinegar and minerals. Now you will want to use a soft cloth to wipe down the inside of the tank, as well as the float and nebulizer, to remove any scale that has been loosened by the vinegar.
#6. Before re-using the humidifier, you want to take a minute and thoroughly rinse the water tank until the acidic smell of vinegar (or bleach) is gone.
Read Also: What Are The Pros & Cons of Whole House Humidifiers?
How To Disinfect Honeywell Humidifiers?
#1. Follow Steps 1-3 in scale removal Instructions in previous section.
#2. Add ½ tsp of bleach to ½ gallon (1.9L) of water and add to water tank.
#3. Replace tank cap. Swish solution around in tank. Place tank on base. Bleach solution will drain into water reservoir and will disinfect water reservoir and other components as they soak.
(See steps 5-7 in scale removal instructions in previous section to complete disinfecting process.)
CAUTION: Using more than 1/2 tsp. of bleach per 1/2 gallon of water may result in damage to your humidifier. And do not mix vinegar and bleach solutions together. Scale removal and disinfecting must be done separately.
Read Also: What Are The Best Portable Whole House Humidifiers?
How Often Should You Clean Your Honeywell Humidifier?
Some people may believe that there is no need to clean a humidifier due to the fact that you only use water in it. Well, they are wrong. It is unwise to not clean humidifiers because mineral build-up (known as scale) lingers in the humidifier if not cleaned.
It is well-known that dirty humidifiers can lead to microbial growth and subsequent health problems.
Humidifiers require regular cleaning to function effectively.
If your humidifier has a capacity of five gallons or less, you should be cleaning it daily and sanitize it once per week. If your humidifier has a capacity of five gallons or more, then it should be cleaned and sanitized at least once every two weeks.
You should clean your humidifier with undiluted white vinegar to remove mineral buildup. Then, if desired, use a solution of 1 teaspoon bleach to 1 gallon of water to disinfect your humidifier. At the end of the season, descale and disinfect your humidifier before storing.
Never store a humidifier with a used filter or other uncleaned accessories.
Read Also: Steam & Evaporative Whole House Humidifiers - What Is Better?
Why Is It Important To Clean Honeywell Humidifiers?
Dry and humid air can affect your health and the condition of your home. Dry air can especially inflame the airways in your nose and throat.
Humidifiers are great for putting moisture back into the air to help soothe a lot of symptoms caused by dry air. They can also help ease some of the symptoms caused by the flu or the common cold.
The tank on your humidifier should be emptied, dried and refilled with clean water every day so that bacteria does not have a chance to collect and grow.
Keeping it clean is important and will determine how well your humidifier performs. No one wants a dirty humidifier. You must clean your humidifier for it to run smoothly.
If you do not clean your humidifier properly then it will lead to spreading bacteria around your home. The scale is composed of minerals that have settled out of the water creating a surface on which bacteria or fungi may grow. These air pollutants can be especially problematic for people with asthma, allergies, or other breathing issues.
Humidifiers can make you sick if they are not maintained properly or if humidity levels stay too high. A dirty humidifier will be a hindrance instead of a help.
Mold will start to form in the humidifier and the filter which will leave a bad odor --- as well as preventing the filter from working properly.
Read Also: What Are The Best Steam Whole House Humidifiers?
Can You Clean Honeywell Humidifier Filters?
Yes, you can clean Honeywell humidifier filters. A dirty filter will not work as good as if it were clean. Cleaning the filter is just as important as cleaning the tank and the base of the humidifier.
Although you do not need to clean your filter as often as you need to clean your humidifier, it is recommended that you change your humidifier filter every 1-3 months depending on usage.
If you do not change your humidifier filter, it can lead to excessive dust and debris in the air along with mold growing on the filter and on the humidifier.
How To Clean Your Humidifier Filter?
#1. Take out the dirty filter from your humidifier. Make sure you unplug and drain the humidifier before removing the filter.
#2. Fill a sink or a bucket with warm water, enough to completely submerge the filter.
#3. Pour in the distilled white vinegar into the warm water. Add one part vinegar for two parts water. Mix in the water and the vinegar.
#4. Soak the filter in the vinegar solution for 30-45 minutes. Make sure that the filter is fully submerge and leave it in to soak.
#5. After the filter is done soaking, remove it from the vinegar solution and rinse it thoroughly under the faucet. Try to wash away as much loose gunk as you can. If your filter is still dirty, then lightly brush away stuck debris with a soft-bristled brush or fingertip but be careful not to apply too much pressure to the mesh.
Give the filter a shake and set it aside to air dry. Smell the filter after rinsing it to make sure you have gotten out all of the vinegar. Do not squeeze or wring out damp filters because it may damage the filter.
#6. Once the filter is dry put it back in the humidifier for use.
Read Also: What Are The Best Whole House Humidifiers?
Final Thoughts On Humidifier Cleaning
Humidifiers can be a big help with putting back moisture in the air and help with health issues.
If you do not clean your humidifier properly weekly or bi-weekly, then it can be very harmful to you and your family --- and it will seriously decrease its performance. You do not want the bacteria to build up in your humidifier because it may cause some serious health problems.
Cleaning the humidifier filter is just as important as cleaning the humidifier. Poor maintenance will lead to the humidifier performing poorly. It is highly recommended to regularly clean your Honeywell humidifiers.
