In winter, the air humidifier is a valuable ally for improving the air quality in a home. Due to heating, it can in fact become drier, which can worsen respiratory problems (colds, coughs, etc.) by drying out the mucous membranes and also making the skin dry. Using this device allows you to gain comfort and purify the ambient air, without necessarily needing to add essential oils. However, if we do not maintain our device properly, it can have repercussions on our health. Find out why it is important to clean your air humidifier and, above all, the tips for successfully completing this crucial cleaning.
Why is it essential to take care to clean your air humidifier?
Cleaning this device is first of all important to ensure its proper functioning. Indeed, depending on the quality of the water used to fill it, the limescale can build up over time. However, the more your device becomes scaled up, the less likely it will function well. Cleaning it is therefore important to ensure its durability against scale.
It should also be noted that like any device that runs on water, the humidifier is conducive to the development of harmful bacteria and mold which thrive in all the little nooks and crannies. If you allow micro-organisms to thrive there, you risk spread pathogenic germs during its use. Cleaning is therefore essential to maintain healthy air and allow non-harmful use of this device for your health and that of your family, especially among the most vulnerable.
Maintenance steps for an air humidifier
To do every day
To ensure healthier use of the air humidifier, it is recommended to change your water daily. Letting it stagnate too much can actually encourage the development of germs within the device. This simple gesture will help keep the water fresh for healthier use.
How often to clean your air humidifier
For better hygiene, nothing beats a regular maintenance. To do this, cleaning once a week will be more than beneficial. If you forget for a week, it won’t be catastrophic, especially if you take care to change the water every day. However, being rigorous will ensure the most hygienic use possible.
How to clean your air humidifier step by step
1) Cleaning is not very complicated. Start by emptying the device and filling the tank with approximately 700 ml of white vinegar. Its acetic acid gives it a cleaning and descaling power very effective. He is also deodorantwhich is very useful when the tank smells bad.
2) Leave for 1 hour. For greater efficiency, you can run the device for around thirty minutes to clean all its components. In this case, consider opening the window or cleaning outside if you can. to prevent the whole house from taking on an acidic smell.
3) You can then empty the device and rinse several times.
4) If there are still deposits, pour water and rice grains inside and scrub with a brush. This will remove the last residue. Carry out a final rinse with water to remove the grains.
5) Finally, you can use a sponge soaked in vinegar and/or a toothbrush to finish cleaning the external part or the different elements.
Good to know:
White vinegar can also be used to clean the filters of your air humidifier. However, it will be necessary to dilute it in water so as not to risk damaging the filter during cleaning. A mixture of equal parts will keep the effectiveness of the vinegar without being too acidic. Then, let the filter soak for 30 minutes in the vinegar water before rinsing it and letting it air dry. If any residue remains, simply soak for another 30 minutes before rinsing and drying.