Humidifiers are a great way to moisturize the air in your home as outside temperatures plummet, helping with chapped skin, allergies and cold and flu symptoms in children and adults. But without regular upkeep, humidifiers can breed dangerous mold and bacteria and do more harm than good. We’ve gathered some tips for keeping your humidifier — and your home — clean and bacteria-free.
Dirty humidifier tanks can quickly breed bacteria and mold. This can be a problem for healthy people, but especially problematic for people with asthma and allergies when the contaminated mist or steam is released into the air. Here are some top ways to keep your humidifier humming and prevent unintended bacterial growth.
Use distilled or demineralized water. Tap water contains mineral-creating deposits inside your humidifier that promote bacterial growth. These minerals often appear as white dust on your furniture. You may also breathe in some of these minerals. Distilled or demineralized water has a much lower mineral content compared with tap water. Instead of distilled water, you can also use demineralization cartridges or filters in your humidifier if they’re recommended by the manufacturer.
Change the water often. Avoid letting water sit in the tank for long periods of time. This causes mineral deposits to collect on the bottom and sides of the tank. The longer the water sits, the more deposits will collect and the harder they’ll be to remove.
Keep the area around the humidifier dry. If the area around your humidifier becomes too damp, turn it down. Surrounding the humidifier with dampness can lead to mold and bacterial growth.
Change the filter in your central air conditioning and heating system regularly. Your humidifier is circulating more water in the existing air in your home. Optimize the cleanliness of your humidifier by ensuring your general air quality is clean.
Clean the humidifier regularly. When the humidifier is in heavy use during the winter or when a family member has a cold, clean it weekly with a simple vinegar or hydrogen peroxide rinse. Do a deep monthly clean of the tank, base and filter (or per your manufacturer’s instructions).
Replace the humidifier when necessary. Old humidifiers may start to break down over time. The worn-out parts will be more prone to hosting bacterial growth. If you’ve had your humidifier for five years, you might want to consider replacing it. Humidifiers can build up difficult mineral deposits, which are impossible to remove and encourage bacterial growth.
Store the humidifier properly. Before putting your humidifier in storage, clean it thoroughly. Throw away any temporary parts (such as used filters or water cartridges) and make sure it is completely dry. Rinse or clean it again before using it the next time. Order any new filters or cartridges you’ll need when you use it again and store them with the humidifier.
With proper maintenance, a humidifier can be an affordable at-home method for fighting colds and flu, and for making indoor winter air more hospitable. If you have a humidifier built into your central heating and cooling system, consult the instruction manual or ask your heating and cooling specialist about proper upkeep.
Learn more healthy living tips and sign up for wellness classes through Renown’s Health Improvement Programs.
Nov. 3-7 is National Compliance & Ethics Week! Celebrate with us by getting to know the Audit & Compliance team at Renown Health and Hometown Health.
Take a moment to think about the complex web of healthcare beyond the frontlines. More specifically, let’s zero in on the long list of regulations and processes that every hospital and health system across the country needs to follow. Sounds a bit intimidating to the average person, right? And as the only not-for-profit academic health system in the region, integrity and ethics is not something we cut corners on. So, who can make sense of it all so that our health system stays strong, transparent and trustworthy?
This is our Audit & Compliance department’s time to shine. This intelligent, fast-acting group of compliance specialists and analytics, coding and internal auditors and audit managers, billing compliance coordinators, special investigators, oversight coordinators and more help bridge the gap between ethical practices and the constant demands of a large health system like Renown. Although their work often takes place behind the scenes, the impact of this team can be felt throughout every corner of our network.
How One Renown Physician is Advancing Treatment for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Follow along in this new series where we showcase how Renown employees embody our mission, vision and values by spearheading new opportunities centered around our strategic pillars and long-term aspiration of being the destination for care across our region.
Paid CNA Apprenticeship: 7 Ways to Launch Your Career
Are you considering a career in healthcare but unsure where to start? Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) offers an accessible entry into healthcare while rewarding your professional and personal life. CNAs play an important role in healthcare teams, providing essential patient care to our community. Whether you're just starting your professional journey or thinking about a change, CNA certification gives you the opportunity to establish a long-term career in just a few months and best of all, Renown pays you to earn while you learn. Discover the seven reasons why becoming a CNA could be your ideal path to a fulfilling healthcare career.
