Humidifiers, like any other household appliance, require maintenance. Water collected from a domestic tap contains a large amount of salts and other impurities. Because of this, a white coating forms on the inner walls of the device over time. If the necessary measures are not taken in a timely manner, a sediment layer appears. It is possible to avoid these unpleasant phenomena if you timely clean the humidifiers from scale at home.
How the device works
The principle of action of the humidifying device is based on the effect of evaporation of water heated by boiling or due to ultrasonic action on it. To activate the process, you need to pour liquid into the tank, and then plug the device into a power outlet and press the “Network” button.
In addition to its main function, a household humidifier is able to solve other problems:
- purify air of foreign impurities and dust;
- eliminate electrostatics;
- used as a source of healing aromas.
In the latter case, a special capsule with aromatic oils is installed in it. This allows you to maintain the required level of humidity in the apartment and at the same time inhale healing fumes.
Causes of pollution of climate technology
The main reason for the formation of plaque on the walls and structural elements of the device is the pouring of too hard water into it, the content of mineral salts in which exceeds the norm. Deposits accumulated over time can no longer be removed with a dry cloth. You will need effective cleaning products, usually used at home:
- baking soda;
- vinegar solution;
- lemon acid;
- typical bleach.
Ordinary tap water contains many harmful microorganisms that, when the appliance is working, spread throughout the room. Therefore, it is recommended to pour filtered or well boiled liquid into it. It is advisable to change it as often as possible in order to eliminate stagnation in the tank and prevent the formation of mold.
Device Health Support
Maintaining the operating state of the device is reduced to the following procedures:
- cleaning the working membrane (in ultrasonic structures);
- washing filters;
- full replacement of filters.
To clean the membrane, it is mandatory to use a brush, which is usually supplied with the device. If there is no brush, a soft cloth or an ordinary sponge is suitable instead. The device contains special filters in its kit, which are used for several months and then changed.
If desired, they can be cleaned of plaque by washing the working part under running water and then drying for about an hour. It is not allowed to wash products with liquids containing chemical additives (the latter lead to their rapid wear).
Cleaning options
It is possible to clean the air humidifier qualitatively from the accumulated precipitation and pollution in several ways. The choice of a specific option depends on the design of the device, the type of sediment (scale or mold), as well as the mass of accumulated sewage. For each of them, their own cleaning agent is selected, which is optimal for this case.
From scale
To clean the contaminated device from scale, you will need to remove the water tank from it, first disconnecting the other structural elements. Completely fresh plaque is removed with a soft cloth without the use of special compounds. Cleaning the cabinet in hard-to-reach places is recommended using a soft-bristled toothbrush. If a thick layer of plaque is found, it will be necessary to use a special descaler.
Before pouring the cleaning compound into the vessel, the remaining water is completely drained from it, after which the following sequential operations are carried out:
- The tank is washed under the tap with warm water.
- The inside and outside of the case are wiped with a soft cloth dampened in a non-concentrated solution of vinegar.
- The appliance is left to dry for a while.
If the cleaning procedure is carried out in full accordance with the instructions given, the device will serve its owner for a long time.
Against mold and bacteria
To remove mold, special chlorine-based products that can be prepared on their own will be required. It will take vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. The components are diluted in a ratio of 1-2 tablespoons per 1 liter of well-boiled water, after which the resulting solution is poured into the humidifier container for about an hour. The compositions prepared in this way disinfect the surface well and make it possible to remove mucous deposits.
Upon completion of these operations, all accessible places are cleaned with a not very stiff brush or sponge. After that, the humidifier should be rinsed with water from a kitchen faucet, and then dried with ventilation.
Disinfection of internal surfaces will allow you to not worry about mold and other unpleasant dirt for some time.
Cleaning the ultrasonic humidifier
To care for ultrasonic devices, a solution prepared from a mixture of vinegar with water with the addition of soda or citric acid is used. It is not allowed to wash them with aggressive compounds such as hydrogen peroxide, as this often leads to their premature wear. When using them, chemicals may enter the water sprayed by the device itself. If you do not wash it thoroughly, the residents may show signs of malaise (severe headaches or exacerbation of allergies).
Unlike a conventional device, there is no need to turn on the ultrasonic device before cleaning it. The solution prepared according to the recipe is poured into the container of the device disconnected from the mains and left to soften the scale for about 12 hours. Further actions:
- drain the waste mixture and rinse the device tank under running water;
- pour clean (filtered) water into the tank and connect the humidifier to the mains;
- as soon as steam appears above the evaporator, disconnect the device from the supply line;
- drain the waste liquid, rinse the tank thoroughly, and then fill it with fresh water and turn on the device again.
The cleaning procedure is repeated until the smell of bleach ceases to spread from the container. To clean and thoroughly disinfect the emitting membrane, you will need a special brush that is supplied with the device and allows you to penetrate the most inaccessible places.
Citric acid cleansing
Citric acid is most often used to remove a not very thick layer of plaque. In this case, to clean the humidifier, you will need to fill its container with water and pour about 60 grams of the product there, and then turn on the device for one hour. Hard plaque softens and gradually falls off the surface of the container. After about an hour, its residues are cleaned with a soft cloth or sponge, and the tank itself is washed with water.Since citric acid fumes are harmful to the human body, it is recommended that you clean the device on the balcony.
Prevention
It is recommended to take care of air humidifiers, strictly following the instructions attached to this product when purchased. According to the requirements of the manufacturer, care should be regular, since only in this case can one count on the operability of the device for a long time.
Preventive measures come down to the following simple rules:
- Drain the remaining water in the tank if you plan a long pause in using the humidifier. This eliminates the likelihood of mold and completely keep it clean.
- Do not use water directly from the tap, pre-filter it.
Subject to the rules for caring for a moisturizer, its performance will not threaten anything for a long time.
