Winter is notorious for high cases of flu and dry air. And the latter may be worse than you realize. Aside from leaving you with itchy skin, dry air can also irritate your throat and nose and even cause your allergies to flare up. Many people use humidifiers to replace some of the lost moisture in the air. Proper maintenance of your humidifier will keep it functioning to its maximum capacity and will also increase its lifespan. This is especially necessary when your humidifier has been in storage for a few months. Wondering how to clean your HoMedics humidifier? Keep reading to find out.
Essentially, there are three common types of humidifiers, namely cool mist, warm mist, and ultrasonic devices. Each has its own intended use, as highlighted below.
With cool mist humidifiers, a fan moves mist into your home without needing a heating element. Since there’s no element, they generally don’t use as much energy as their warm mist counterparts. They’re also considered a safer option than the warm-mist models. The only real downside to using a cool mist humidifier is that they are slightly noisier than the warm mist models. You can also add essential oils to these models for a more fragrant alternative. Adding an essential oil such as eucalyptus Trusted Source 12 Ways to Use Eucalyptus Oil Eucalyptus oil is a hardworking essential oil with a wide range of uses, from bug spray, to household cleaner, to pre-op calmer, to oral plaque-fighter. Many remedies haven’t passed scientific testing, though. www.webmd.com is a great way to treat flu symptoms. For a more comprehensive look at some of the top cool mist humidifiers, consider reading our article, cool mist humidifiers.
The release of steam helps to kill bacteria, mold spores, and even air-borne viruses. Unlike the cool mist options, these models are hot and can pose a burn risk to children and flammable objects. It’s also recommended that you only use a warm mist humidifier with distilled water, as hard water Trusted Source Hardness of Water | U.S. Geological Survey In scientific terms, water hardness is generally the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in water. But in layman’s terms, you may notice water hardness when your hands still feel slimy after washing with soap and water, or when your drinking glasses at home become less than crystal clear. www.usgs.gov can cause the unit to become clogged with different mineral deposits. If you prefer warm mist humidifiers, our article about best warm mist humidifiers, promises to provide you with some top options.
Unlike the warm and cool humidifiers that use an element and fan, respectively, the ultrasonic models produce a cool fog-like mist that spreads around using sound waves. Unlike the cool mist option, this type of humidifier doesn’t make any noise.
When you’re thinking about getting a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your home, it’s important to consider a few features. This will help you choose the right model that aligns with your needs.
Ideally, you’re looking for a humidifier that has a big, easy-to-remove tank. The bigger the water capacity tank is, the less you will have to keep filling it. A bigger tank is also great for use in a larger living room space. The HoMedics Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier is a great option to consider when you’re looking at a bigger capacity. An easy-to-remove 1.4-gallon tank allows the vaporizer to get a whopping 65 hours of runtime without needing a refill.
It also boasts an auto shutoff protection that powers down the unit when the water level gets too low. With a cool mist output, you can expect a refreshing micro-fine mist to moisturize the surrounding air.
A quality humidifier shouldn’t have white dust build-up. The “white dust” refers to the mineral residue caused by hard water. When this is present in your humidifier, it can easily settle on your furniture, appliances, and floor. To prevent this, you need an option with clean mist anti-microbial technology. This will prevent the growth of mold and mildew Trusted Source Basic Facts about Mold and Dampness | CDC Molds are very common in buildings and homes. Mold will grow in places with a lot of moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been flooding. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products. Mold can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, carpet, fabric, and upholstery. www.cdc.gov on the tank’s surface. Essentially this means the vaporized mist is free of allergens.
Where possible, a multi-use humidifier is a preferred choice for people who look for a variety of features and benefits. Some of the benefits you can look forward to with a HoMedics Ultrasonic Humidifier are:
If you’re looking for a feature-rich, slim humidifier, the HoMedics Total Comfort Warm/Cool Mist Humidifier is a firm favorite. This unit boasts a large capacity, long runtime, and expansive coverage area. Its most popular feature is its very versatile cool and warm mist capability. More great features include its programmable humidistat and LCD digital readout allows you to see the current humidity level in the room. This versatile unit also includes a demineralization cartridge that eliminates scale build-up. Its superior Clean Mist anti-microbial technology kills a host of different allergens and keeps mold and mildew from growing inside the tank. This is an excellent way of ensuring that the vapor spraying out is always safe to breathe in. It’s no wonder this unit is often regarded as one of the best humidifiers on the market.
A unit that’s easy to clean is a bonus because a well-maintained unit not only prevents build-up but also prevents allergens from getting into the air. Here are a few tips for keeping your humidifier clean:
The point of using a humidifier is to add moisture to the dry air in your home. However, neglecting the cleaning process will result in harmful allergens or mold spores making their way into your home. Let’s look at a few ways to avoid common allergens.
Mold can build up on the vent, fan blades, and the inside of the water tank, so it’s important to clean these components thoroughly. Keep an eye on the walls and windowsills in the spaces where you use the humidifier to make sure there’s no mold build-up caused by dampness from the humidifier. Mold is easily identifiable by its tell-tale black spores in places around the humidifier.
Additionally, this sprays dirt and debris into the air, which can actually make you and your family sicker. If there’s a lot of dust in the air Trusted Source Dust Allergy | Causes, Symptoms & Treatment | ACAAI Public Website Dust allergies can cause sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, or itchy and red eyes. acaai.org , it’s a good idea to clean the unit more often as this will cause dirt build-up inside some of the components.
A clear sign that your HoMedics humidifier has a moldy build-up is a distinctive musty, vinegar-like smell. This will be most notable when the vapor sprays an unpleasant odor into the air. When you detect an unpleasant odor, it’s recommended to clean your humidifier immediately. For an effective clean, it’s recommended that you sanitize the unit weekly.
There are a few general cleaning tips that you should take note of to ensure that the mist sprayed into the air is mold and virus free.
Investing in one of the HoMedics humidifier models is an excellent way to keep the humidity levels in your home constant. Opting for a model that boasts both a warm and cool mist feature will make it easy to use all year round. Now that we’ve shown you how to clean your HoMedics humidifier, there should be no reason to struggle with dry air this winter anymore!
