When it’s cold, people often stay in their homes to stay warm. While that can be very cozy, it also leads to some very dry, stale air.
Humidifiers can help add moisture to dry air. Meanwhile, purifiers can trap particles like dust, smoke, pet dander and mold. Combined, they can help keep the winter air in your home from getting so dry.
When you turn on your humidifier, you’ll want to make sure it’s properly cleaned – otherwise, it can be very unhealthy.
“A humidifier that isn’t cleaned properly can produce mold spores,” said Tanya Christian, Consumer Reports Home Editor.
To keep your humidifier fresh, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which typically include daily and weekly maintenance.
Here are some general guidelines from Consumer Reports:
- Every day: Rinse, then towel dry the tank and fill it with clean water.
- Every week: Give your humidifier a deep cleaning with vinegar. Remove the tank and add one cup of vinegar to the well in the base. Use a cleaning tool or toothbrush to get into the crevices and scrub off any built up scale. Then, rinse well.
- To clean the tank, fill it with one cup of vinegar and one cup of water and let it soak for about 20 minutes – giving it a few good swooshes along the way. Then, rinse well and towel dry. And be sure to replace the filter or wick according to your owner’s manual.
If your current humidifier is tough to clean, maybe it’s time for a change. Consumer Reports recommends the brand Honeywell, which is easy to clean and use. Bonus – there’s no wick, cartridge or filter that needs to be replaced.
“In addition to humidifiers, people also use air purifiers to reduce allergens and indoor air pollutants so it’s a good idea to keep these well maintained,” said Christian.
If you use an air purifier, be sure to replace the filters regularly. If it has a permanent filter, vacuum it gently with the brush attachment about once a month.
