Humidifiers should be cleaned regularly to maintain proper functioning and prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and other contaminants. The frequency of cleaning a humidifier depends on several factors, including the type of humidifier, usage patterns, water quality, and manufacturer's recommendations. However, a general guideline is to clean a humidifier at least once every week or two.
The water tank of a humidifier should be emptied, rinsed, and wiped out with a soft cloth. It is essential to avoid using abrasive cleaners, chemicals, or harsh soaps that can damage the humidifier or leave residue. Additionally, any mineral deposits or scale buildup can be removed by soaking the tank in a mixture of water and vinegar or using specialized cleaning solutions recommended by the manufacturer.
The humidifier's filter or wick (if applicable) also requires regular maintenance. Depending on the model, the filter may need to be replaced every few months or cleaned more frequently. Check the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer to know how often it needs to be cleaned or replaced.
Proper maintenance is crucial to ensure that a humidifier continues to provide clean and healthy moisture to the environment, promoting comfort and improved air quality. Neglecting regular cleaning may result in the dispersal of contaminants into the air and potential health hazards.
Best Humidifiers in 2024
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
OPOWO Humidifier for Bedroom, Cool Mist for Plants, 5.5L Top Fill Air Humidifier for Large Room, Essential Oil Diffuser, Lasts up to 55H, Sleep Mode, Timer, Touch and Remote Control, Auto Off
-
IDEAL WATER HUMIDIFIER FOR WHOLE HOUSE: Covering up to 484ft² with a high output of 250±50ml/h, this humidifier is perfect for bedroom and large room, plants and babies, home and offices. With a large 5.5L capacity, it can last for up to 55 hours on minimal misting. Enjoy fresh air with the OPOWO cool mist humidifier!
-
MULTI-FUNCTIONS HUMIDIFIER MEETS ALL YOU EXPECT: This cool mist humidifier comes with aromatherapy, plant humidify mode, sleep mode, timer, water tank light, easier remote/touch operation,auto off and one-step refill. All you need to do is set the humidifier, leave it, and enjoy a healthier air.
-
CUSTOMIZED HUMIDITY AT YOU NEED: With separate fog and humidity volume adjustment design, this air humidifier is possible for you to find the most suitable humidity for your family, pets and plants. Faster Humidify and ultrafine mist. No more dry skin, sore throats, stuffy noses and wilted plants!
-
ONE-STEP FILL, EASY TO CLEAN: The top fill humidifier with integrated water tank design allow you to add water without leakage. And you can clean the humidifier with the wide opening and detachable mist tube designs thoroughly. No need to flip anything upside down.
-
SOOTHING AROMA: 2-in-1 diffuser and humidifier has the unique design, the built-in 2ml essential oil bottle. Add your favorite scent, tighten it and install it on the top of the mist tube, the fragrance will slowly fill the air and make your room a wonderland for reading, yoga and meditation.
-
BUY WITH CONFIDENCE: OPOWO humidifier comes with a lifetime warranty and a one-year free exchange. We promise to replace it with a new one if any quality problem occurs within the warranty period.
-
ESSENTIAL OIL BOX INSTALLATION GUIDE: Adding essential oils and installing the essential oil box are in different directions. 1) When adding essential oils, please note the white end is the essential oil container, and the green end is the cap. 2) When installing the essential oil box, please note the green end facing down after tightening. If the installation is wrong, the cover of the humidifier will not be tightly closed.
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
LEVOIT OasisMist 1000S (10L) Smart Humidifier for Home Large Room Bedroom, Last 100 Hours, Cover up to 600ft², Easy Top Fill, Remoter & Voice Control, Auto Mode, 360° Nozzle, Aroma Box, Quiet, White
-
𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧-𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 100 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨, 𝙀𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙊𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙨: Maximize your time and minimize refills with the humidifier's extended 100-hour runtime, allowing you to focus on what you love
-
𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝-𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙨: The self-cleaning water tank prevents mold growth, while an internal water filter softens hard water, reducing limescale and minimizing mineral buildup
-
𝙎𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚-𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙀𝙭𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: Humidify up to 600 ft² with more than 2 feet of mist height and 350mL/h mist volume for thorough humidity throughout the room
-
𝙀𝙛𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙎𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙡: With the Vesync App, set schedules according to your routine, and customize humidity for your family. Create your exclusive humidification plan
-
𝙎𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙏𝙤𝙥 𝙁𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜: One-step water refills, no heavy lifting needed. Prevents spills and eases cleaning with a wide opening
-
𝘼𝙡𝙡-𝘿𝙖𝙮 𝙑𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮: Auto Mode runs seamlessly during your family interactions, Plant Mode enhances plant care, Aroma Mode soothes nerves during workouts, and Sleep Mode for peaceful rest
-
𝙎𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙂𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙙: Enjoy peace of mind with a 2-year limited warranty and lifelong service. Our dedicated Customer Support Team is here to ensure your ongoing satisfaction
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
6L Humidifiers for Bedroom Large Room Home, Cool and Warm for Baby and Plants Mist Top Fill Desk Humidifiers Essential Oil Diffuser, Quiet with Adjustable Mist,360°Nozzle-Black
-
✅【Ultrasonic Humidifier And Top-fill Design】:Our cool and warm mist humidifier has both cool and warm mist functions, which can be switched at the touch of a button.The powerful cool mist helps moisturize the dry air in the room and improve the quality of sleep. Warm mist is suitable for moisturizing the skin and relieving discomfort. Humidifier with top filling design, pure water can be added directly to the water tank. Note: Please remove the white foam from the base before use.
-
✅【6-liter Tank And 3 Levels Of Mist Adjustment】:The Smart Humidifier has an extra-large 6-liter water tank that will keep your room humidifier running properly for 60 hours with a single fill. 360° rotating nozzles allow the mist to disperse in any direction, providing even humidity and creating a soothing, This humidifier features a smart sensor that automatically maintains a healthy room humidity level. We have three levels to freely choose from to meet the different needs of room humidity.
-
✅【Sleep Mode And Anti-dry Burn】:In sleep mode, the LED screen will turn off but still work normally, allowing you to sleep comfortably without being affected by light.Quietly emits a soothing, cool mist. Our bedroom humidifier keeps the humidity level in your room steady while you sleep. When the lack of water, the water shortage indicator on the screen will flash to remind, shut down the humidification function to prevent dry burning damage to the product.
-
✅【Aromatherapy And Easy To Clean】:The Coolfiqu is more than just a hhome humidifier, we've included an essential oil tray as well. You can drop essential oils into the tray and let the humidifier circulate the essential oils into a cool mist that will keep your office, home, bedroom,living room, and other rooms smelling great. When we clean the humidifier, only need to lift the water tank and wipe it gently with a damp cloth. Note: The atomizing sheet can only be wiped gently with a soft brush.
-
✅【Great Gifts And Satisfying Service】: The humidifier is perfect as a housewarming gift, birthday gift, Thanksgiving gift, Christmas gift for friends and family. When there is a problem, our customer support team is here to help. If you have a defective product, please contact us in time.
4
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
BREEZOME 6L Humidifiers for Bedroom Large Room & Essential Oil Diffuser, Ultrasonic Top Fill Cool Mist Humidifiers for Baby, Plants, Nursery Last up to 60 Hours, Smart Humidistat Control, Quiet, Black
-
POWERFUL HUMIDIFICATION, PERFECT FOR BEDROOM & BABY ROOM: Our ultrasonic humidifier has a 6L (1.6 gallon) large tank that works great in large rooms up to 500 sq feet. It allows a long lasting humidification for up to 60 hours.
-
DIFFUSER & HUMIDIFIER 2 IN 1: Add your favourite essential oils to the built-in aromatherapy tray, the cool mist humidifier can mix your favourite aroma with the moist air and fill your room with relaxing aroma.
-
AUTOMATICALLY CONTROL THE HUMIDITY LEVEL: Our humidifiers for bedroom is designed with a intelligent humidistat which helps to maintain the pre-set humidity level and allows you to check the real time humidity level. Just setup your preferred humidity level and let our humidifier do the rest.
-
CONVENIENT TOP FILL DESIGN: Easily clean the water tank under running water with a detachable tank. It’s never been easier to maintain water in the tank. Just open the lid and directly add water into the working humidifier.
-
WHISPER-QUIET & SAFE: Designed with a quiet sleep mode, our humidifier can work in low noise to protect your undisturbed good sleep. It would automatically shut off when water runs out. Safe for you and your whole family.
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
LEVOIT Top Fill Humidifiers for Bedroom, 2.5L Large Tank, Easy to Fill and Clean, 26dB Quiet Cool Mist Air Humidifier for Home Baby Nursery & Plants,Auto Shut-off and BPA-Free for Safety, 25H Runtime
-
𝙁𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙃𝙪𝙢𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙉𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩: Runs for up to 25 hours on low thanks to its SUPER LARGE capacity of 2.5 liters. The soothing moisture helps quickly relief congestion and dry throat.
-
𝙀𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝙏𝙤𝙥-𝙁𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣: LEVOIT upgraded top-fill design, no need to turn the water tank over and no more spilling water all over the place Just remove the cover and easily fill the tank.
-
𝙉𝙤 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙎𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜: The Classic 160 cool mist humidifier is perfect for sleeping, with noise level as low as 26dB and all lights off. Helps create a peaceful and quiet atmosphere The perfect humidifier for bedrooms and baby nurseries.
-
𝘾𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙈𝙞𝙨𝙩: Customize the mist output with just one knob and adjust the direction freely with the 360 degree nozzle. Enjoy full control of your air humidifier
-
𝙈𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙀𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘾𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜: Easily clean the inside of the tank through its big opening. The simple construction of the base leaves no hard-to-reach corners when cleaning. Maintaining health has never been this easy.
-
𝙒𝙚 𝙂𝙤𝙩 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙠: Auto shut-off when the water level in base is low and featured with BPA-Free material, for no need to worry about safety issues. Also, you can count on our customer service team in California whenever you need help.
-
𝙏𝙞𝙥𝙨: Auto Shut-off function is controlled by the float in the base to stop the machine, there may be some delay in the stopping time, no worries about safety. Besides, there will be a red light when the machine is off due to the low water level.
-
𝙏𝙞𝙥𝙨: To ensure the capture and filtration of fine impurities, we provide our valued customers with a 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 water filter sponge. We hope you relish the soothing and healthful humidification experience delivered by our Classic 160 humidifier.
-
𝙏𝙞𝙥𝙨: It is not recommended to add essential oil to this humidifier.
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
AquaOasis® Cool Mist Humidifier (2.2L Water Tank) Quiet Ultrasonic Humidifiers for Bedroom & Large room - Adjustable -360 Rotation Nozzle, Auto-Shut Off, Humidifiers for Babies Nursery & Whole House
-
IMMEDIATE DRY AIR RELIEF! Want to eliminate the suffering from the terrible effects of dry air? No need to struggle with cheap flimsy and leaky desk humidifiers. This quality ultrasonic humidifier is the one you’re looking for. It pumps relief immediately and effectively! – Feel better in minutes!
-
OPERATES IN TOTAL SILENCE – SLEEP LIKE A BABY! No humming, whistling, or crackling as this durable Whole-House Humidifier steadily and efficiently dispenses the soothing cool mist you crave. SLEEP better, BREATHE better, LIVE better! You’ll wish you found this years ago!
-
MULTIPLE MIST SETTINGS + 360 DEGREE ROTATING NOZZLE – This Humidifier was created with YOU in mind. Your environment, your needs, and your preferences! Designed with a super simple control dial and 360° rotating nozzle so that you can fully control and customize the mist output and mist flow direction. AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF- No need to babysit this Humidifier. We know you’ll want to shut this off before the tank runs out... Rest assured you can SET IT AND FORGET IT!
-
2.2L LARGE WATER TANK – FILTER FREE- FEATURES A LIFTIME WARRENTY! Made with an impressive 2.2L super large water tank that keeps your Room-Humidifier right on chugging for over 24 hours on a single fill! Designed
-
FEATURES A LIFTIME WARRENTY! Made with an impressive 2.2L super large water tank that keeps your Room-Humidifier right on chugging for over 24 hours on a single fill!
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
Cool Mist Humidifiers for Bedroom - 2.2L Water Tank, Baby, Office, Quiet Ultrasonic Air Vaporizer, Adjustable Mist Level, 360 Nozzle Rotation, Auto-Shut Off, Large Area Humidifier Easy Fill and Clean
-
Dryness Relief-Increase the moisture in your rooms, bringing the humidity to a level of optimal comfort for better sleep, easier breath, and relief of throat, skin, and lip dryness.
-
Adjustable Moisture-Control the humidity level with the easy-to-use dial so the mist released in the room is tailored to your preference. Turn the nozzle to control the direction of the mist output.
-
Silent Operation-The humidifier operates in silence—no hissing or beeping—quietly humidifying the air in your baby room, master’s bedroom, or living room while allowing you to sleep or relax.
-
Automatic Shutoff-The machine shuts off automatically when the tank is empty so you don’t have to worry about checking the water level or leaving the house while the humidifier is working.
-
Effortless Refill-The tank holds 2.2L of water—sufficient for 24 hours of constant use. A red light illuminates when it’s time to refill, the wide mouth ensuring this is quick and easy.
8
Rating is 4.3 out of 5
ROSEKM Humidifiers for Bedroom, Cool Mist Humidifier for Home Plant and Baby Nursery, Quiet Ultrasonic Humidifier with 360° Nozzle, Auto Shut-Off, Filterless, Black
-
IDEAL HUMIDIFIER FOR BEDROOM: Single refill of water that lasts overnight. This cool mist humidifier with 2.0L(0.53gal) capacity can quietly run for 24 hours on low setting and auto shut-off when it’s out of water.
-
FAST AND POWERFUL RELIEF: This cool mist humidifier is made with 200ml/h powerful output, helping you quick relief in minutes! No more troubles with congestion, coughing, and dry skin.
-
JUST THE RIGHT SIZE: Not too big or small, it is designed in a compact size, and provides ideal coverage for all areas of your home including bedrooms, offices, baby nursery, and other medium-sized spaces.
-
CUSTOMIZE YOUR MIST: You can adjust the mist output volume to the ideal humidity level for comfort with one-touch control. The 360°nozzle can be adjusted to spray the mist in the direction you desire.
-
FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY: Enjoy peace of mind with our humidifier, which comes with a five-year warranty. Our customer support team are here to ensure your satisfaction! No need to worry about returns if your product is defective or used - we'll promptly send you a replacement.
What cleaning schedule is suitable for a humidifier used daily?
For a humidifier used daily, it is essential to clean and maintain it regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and other harmful substances. Here is a suitable cleaning schedule for a humidifier used daily:
- Daily Maintenance:
Empty and refill the water tank with fresh, distilled water every day. Do not leave stagnant water in the tank.
Wipe the exterior of the humidifier with a damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt.
- Weekly Maintenance:
Disinfect the water tank and other removable parts:
Unplug the humidifier and empty the tank.
Fill the tank with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water or use a manufacturer-recommended humidifier cleaner.
Let the solution sit in the tank for at least 30 minutes.
Scrub the tank using a soft brush or sponge to remove any mineral deposits or buildup.
Rinse the tank and other removable parts thoroughly with water to remove any residual cleaning solution.
Allow all parts to air dry completely before reassembling the humidifier.
- Monthly Maintenance:
Descale the humidifier:
Repeat the above steps for cleaning the tank but using only distilled water.
Use a soft brush or cloth to remove any built-up mineral deposits from the heating element or other surfaces.
Rinse the tank and other parts thoroughly with distilled water to remove any residue.
Allow all parts to air dry completely before reassembling.
- Seasonal Maintenance:
Deep clean the entire humidifier:
Follow the steps for weekly maintenance cleaning, including using a cleaning solution or vinegar to thoroughly clean all parts.
Pay extra attention to the areas prone to mineral buildup or mold growth.
Rinse all parts thoroughly with water and allow them to air dry before reassembling.
Remember to always follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and maintenance specific to your humidifier model. Regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure your humidifier operates efficiently and provides clean, healthy moisture in the air.
What is the difference between manual and automatic humidifier cleaning?
The main difference between manual and automatic humidifier cleaning is the level of effort required to clean the device.
Manual Humidifier Cleaning:
- Disassembly: In manual cleaning, the user needs to disassemble the humidifier by separating the water tank, filter, and other removable parts.
- Hand Cleaning: Each component is manually cleaned using water, mild detergent, and a brush or cloth. This involves scrubbing away mineral deposits, mold, and other accumulated residues.
- Rinse and Dry: After cleaning, all components are rinsed thoroughly to remove any remaining cleaning agents. Then they are air-dried to prevent the growth of bacteria.
- Reassembly: Finally, the humidifier is reassembled before being used again.
Automatic Humidifier Cleaning:
- Self-Cleaning Function: Automatic humidifiers typically come with a self-cleaning feature. This feature uses technologies like ultrasonic vibrations or steam to minimize the buildup of mineral deposits or mold.
- Anti-Microbial Features: Some automatic humidifiers have built-in anti-microbial properties that help reduce the growth of bacteria or mold within the device.
- Periodic Maintenance: Despite the automatic cleaning features, periodic maintenance is still required. This usually involves rinsing the water tank, replacing filters, or removing any accumulated residue.
Overall, manual cleaning requires more effort and time, as it involves hands-on cleaning of each component. Automatic cleaning minimizes the effort required but may still need occasional manual maintenance.
What is the best cleaning solution for humidifiers?
The best cleaning solution for humidifiers is a mixture of white vinegar and water. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that can remove mineral buildup, mold, and bacteria. To clean your humidifier, follow these steps:
- Empty the water tank of the humidifier and unplug it from the power source.
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a bowl or sink.
- Use a soft brush or cloth soaked in the vinegar-water solution to clean the inside of the water tank. Pay particular attention to any areas with mineral deposits or mold.
- For smaller parts or hard-to-reach areas, you can soak them in the vinegar-water solution for about 20 minutes.
- Rinse all the parts thoroughly with clean water to remove any vinegar residue.
- For the base or reservoir, fill it with the vinegar-water solution, let it sit for about 20 minutes, and then scrub it with a brush.
- Rinse the base or reservoir thoroughly with clean water as well.
- Once all the parts are clean, reassemble the humidifier and fill it with fresh water.
- Run the humidifier for a few minutes to ensure that any remaining vinegar is flushed out.
It's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations for cleaning your specific model of humidifier.
How to clean hard-to-reach areas of a humidifier?
Cleaning hard-to-reach areas of a humidifier can be challenging, but with the right approach, it can be done effectively. Here's a step-by-step guide to cleaning those inaccessible parts:
- Safety first - Ensure the humidifier is disconnected from the power source and completely turned off before starting the cleaning process. This prevents any accidents or damage.
- Disassemble the humidifier - Take apart the removable components of the humidifier, such as the water tank, filter, and any other accessible parts. Refer to the user manual if you are unsure about the disassembly procedure.
- Prepare cleaning solution - Fill a basin or sink with warm water and add a mixture of mild detergent or vinegar. This solution will help to break down any mineral deposits, mold, or bacteria present.
- Soak the parts - Submerge the disassembled parts into the cleaning solution and let them soak for about 30 minutes. This will loosen any dirt and make cleaning easier.
- Scrub with a brush - After the parts have soaked, take a soft brush or sponge and gently scrub any remaining dirt or residue. Focus on hard-to-reach areas like small crevices or corners. Be careful not to damage any delicate parts.
- Rinse thoroughly - Once scrubbed, rinse all parts thoroughly under running water to remove any traces of the cleaning solution. Ensure all detergent or vinegar is completely removed.
- Dry the components - Use a clean cloth or towel to wipe off excess moisture from each part. Allow them to air dry completely before reassembling the humidifier. This will prevent any mold or mildew growth.
- Clean the exterior - While the components dry, wipe the exterior of the humidifier with a damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt buildup.
- Reassemble and test - Once all components are thoroughly dry, reassemble the humidifier as per the user manual. Ensure all parts fit securely, ensuring there are no leaks. Plug in the power source and test the humidifier to make sure it is functioning properly.
Remember to regularly clean your humidifier, ideally once a week, to prevent the accumulation of mineral deposits, mold, or bacteria. This will help maintain its performance and extend its lifespan.