How to Prevent Mold in Humidifiers? Learn More Here!

Did you know that mold can be a byproduct of using humidifiers?

This is because humidifiers create moisture in the air, and mold thrives in a warm and moist environment.

In fact, a humidifier has more chance of creating mold than any other household appliance.

So how do you prevent mold from growing inside your humidifier? What should you do if there is already mold growing inside it? 

This post will teach you just that. So let’s get started.

What Causes Mold to Grow in Humidifiers?

Before we get into how to keep mold out of your humidifier, it’s important to understand why mold grows in humidifiers in the first place.

The warm and moist environment that the humidifier creates is an actually ideal condition for fungi or mold to grow.

Especially if you live in a cold area or a place where the temperature fluctuates, then mold can grow inside your humidifier.

The water you use can also contribute to the problem of mold inside your humidifier.

Tap water has so many kinds of bacteria and other microorganisms.

If you use tap water without filtering it, these bacteria and fungus can get inside your humidifier tank.

The water in your humidifier tank can soon become a breeding ground for mold and germs if you don’t change it regularly.

That is why it is recommended to use distilled water so that you can prevent mold from growing inside your humidifier.

Now you know why mold can grow inside your humidifier, let’s get into how to prevent mold from growing inside it.

How to Prevent Mold in Humidifiers?

Mold can be prevented and also cleaned using several ways.

You don’t have to worry about mold growing inside your humidifier if you know these methods.

Clean Your Humidifier Regularly

In order to prevent mold from growing inside your humidifier, make sure that the humidifier is properly cleaned regularly.

Cleaning your humidifier might sound like a simple task.

Still, it’s pretty challenging to clean the inside of the tank since there are lots of tiny holes and narrow spaces where mold can grow. 

One solution is to leave vinegar inside the water tank for few hours so that all those microorganisms will die.

Not only that, your humidifier will be full of a fresh smell after you clean it with vinegar.

Another way to clean it is using a water and dish detergent mixture.

By blending the two together, you can create an effective solution to clean your humidifier tank.

This solution can be applied inside the water tank of your humidifier.

Let it rest for an hour, and then wash it with hot water to remove the dirt stuck inside. 

Use Distilled Water

Using a humidifier can be very good because it will create moisture in the air, making our skin more hydrated. 

But don’t forget to replace the water with distilled one.

Using tap water can cause mold growth inside your humidifier.

Distilled water is a form of water that has been purified through distillation.

Distilled water has no bacteria or microorganisms that can grow inside your humidifier. 

Another benefit of using distilled water is that it can prevent the formation of white dust on furniture and wood stuff in your home.

Distilled water doesn’t have any chemicals, which makes it safe to use for things like humidifiers. 

Use Humidifier Tablets

Another method you can use to prevent mold inside your humidifier is by using humidifier tablets. 

Humidifier tablets are like the regular water conditioner that you can put inside your humidifier, except these ones have anti-bacterial properties.

These tablets will help prevent mold from growing in your humidifier by preventing bacteria and microorganisms from growing on the surface of the water tank. 

Follow the Instructions Provided by the Manufacturer.

When you buy a humidifier, there should be some instructions from the manufacturer on how to take care of it. 

Those instructions are usually written on the user manual that came with your humidifier. 

Usually, the manufacturers will tell you what kind of water to use and how often to clean your device. 

If you don’t follow the manufacturers’ instructions, your humidifier can have mold growing inside it, and you will have to throw it away. 

So make sure that you clean your item as they ask.

And that’s it! 

Now that you know how to prevent mold from growing inside your humidifier.

You can make sure that all those bacteria, fungus, and microorganisms will not get into the tank of your humidifier. 

If you follow these methods, you will be able to use your humidifier for a long time before it gets clogged up and starts dispersing foul odors. 

Mold Spores in a Humidifier: How Dangerous Are They?

Humidifier mold is more of a problem than you might think.

Mold spores in a humidifier are a serious health threat that should not be ignored. 

Every time a moldy humidifier is turned on, you get mold spores airborne all over your home. 

This is a threat to the health of family members and bothersome for the eyes and sensitive noses to handle. 

Your carpets, furniture, and walls may also get dirt and stain from mold.

But all these can be prevented if you learn how to prevent mold in a humidifier.

Also read: Does an Air Purifier Kill Mold? Here’s What You Need to Know!

What Can I put in My Humidifier Water to Prevent Mold?

Adding something into the water of your humidifier is one way to keep mold away from growing in your device.

You can add a drop or two of apple cider vinegar inside the water tank. 

Then wait for an hour and turn on your humidifier. 

The high acidic level will kill any bacteria, fungus, or microorganism in the water. 

If you can’t stand the smell of vinegar, then you can add a small amount of bleach inside your humidifier tank.

Let it sit for an hour and turn on your humidifier to release the odor-free air in your home. 

The chlorine inside the bleach will kill any microorganism and make the water safe for use. 

Lastly, you can also put humidifier tablets inside your humidifier.

These tablets will make the water safe for use and can prevent mold from growing in your device. 

You can also fill your humidifier with bottled distilled water to prevent any mold from growing inside.

Distilled water has no microorganisms or bacteria that might cause mold growth. 

Remember, just because you don’t see a black stain on the water’s surface does not mean mold is not growing inside. 

It’s also a good idea to check your manufacturer’s instructions to see what’s okay to use as a cleaning solution and what’s not.

BONUS: How to Get Rid of Pink Mold in Humidifier?

First of all, what is the pink mold on my humidifier? 

Mold grows in a variety of colors.

While the most common forms of mold you will likely find in your house vary from green to black, mold also grows in other colors like orange, purple, and even pink.

The most frequent form of mold discovered in humidifiers is pink mold.

Pink mold is notorious for growing in moist to wet and gloomy environments, making the water tank of your humidifier an ideal place for it to thrive.

So how do you get rid of the pink mold in your humidifier? 

The following methods will surely help you get rid of the pink mold in your water tank and other mold growing in your humidifier.

Unplug the humidifier and bring it outside.

Remove the humidifier from the outlet and drain the water tank. Take your humidifier outside to operate in a well-ventilated environment.

Use soap and a clean sponge to scrub your humidifier.

Using a sponge, scrubber, or cleaning brush soaked in mild soap, scrub all hard plastic surfaces. Wipe the treated areas clean with a wet towel. Use gloves for your protection.

Remove the water tank and soak it in warm, soapy water for at least 30 minutes. Disinfect by adding bleach or vinegar (1 part bleach/9 parts water) to a basin filled with warm water.

Soak the humidifier for 15 minutes and scrub thoroughly using a brush. Rinse off with fresh, clean water.

Disinfect with Bleach or Vinegar.

Remove the water tank and soak it in warm, soapy water for at least 30 minutes. After that, make a disinfectant solution by adding bleach or vinegar (1 part bleach/9 parts water) to a basin filled with warm water.

Fill the water tank halfway with the solution and set it aside for 15 minutes. Wipe the interior and exterior of the reservoir with a clean cloth dipped in the solution.

Activate the Humidifier.

Connect the device to an outside outlet. Allow 30 minutes for your humidifier to run.

This will allow the disinfectant solution to reach all parts of the humidifier, including those that are difficult to reach with a scrub brush.

Wash with fresh and clean water.

Remove the disinfectant solution from the water tank and thoroughly rinse it under fresh and clean water.

To flush away any bleach or vinegar residue, fill the water tank with clean water and run it for about three minutes.

Allow for complete drying of the humidifier.

Allow the humidifier to air dry completely in the sun or wipe all surfaces dry with a clean, soft cloth.

Fill the reservoir with filtered or distilled water immediately before use.

Final Words

So that’s some good old-fashioned preventative maintenance that can keep your humidifier from becoming a mold factory. 

Again, the key to avoiding mold problems is to clean the humidifier regularly.

On that note, remember to always use distilled or filtered water in your humidifier to prevent mold from growing in the device. 

That way, your humidifier will function better, and you won’t have to worry about cleaning up mold. 

If you’ve had an experience with pink mold growing in your humidifier or have suggestions for doing so, please share them in the comments below.