A humidifier is a great tool for improving the air quality of your home, especially in the dry winter months. It can help with dry skin, prevent the buildup of static, and even reduce your chances of catching viruses. For your humidifier to work properly, though, you must clean it regularly. If you allow dirt and bacteria to build up in the machine, your humidifier may do more harm than good.
This article brings you the best easy to clean humidifiers in the market today. These products have been selected from a deep research and are sure to meet your easy to clean need.
It’s important to occasionally deep-clean your humidifier to keep it in good condition. All humidifiers have slight differences in their builds and in their maintenance requirements. So, you should consult your owner’s manual for cleaning directions for your specific machine. However, the overall cleaning process is generally the same for all models.
5 Steps for Cleaning your Humidifier
Step 1: Disassembly
You should first unplug your humidifier from the wall and completely disassemble it. Take out the water tank and empty it before unlatching, unlocking, and setting aside all of the other removable components.If your humidifier has an air filter, remove it and clean it at this time. You can wash your filter by rinsing it will cool water and letting it air dry. Do not use bleach or other cleaning solutions on the filter as they can cause permanent damage.
Step 2: Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar is an excellent cleaning agent for humidifiers. You can clean the machine by pouring enough white vinegar into the humidifier’s base that it comes into contact with all of the same areas that water typically comes into contact with. Then, let the vinegar sit in the machine for 30 minutes to allow it to break down the buildup of dirt or debris. To clean small parts like the water tank’s camp, wipe the surfaces with a cloth dipped in distilled white vinegar. After letting your humidifier soak in vinegar, use a soft-bristled brush to clear away any dirt or residue that is stuck to the machine. You may have to use a small brush to get to hard-to-reach areas. If there are surfaces in the water tank that you can’t reach, add a few tablespoons of rice along with vinegar and cold water to create a slurry inside of the bank. Then, close the tank and shake it vigorously to dislodge the grime.
Step 3: Disinfecting
Dump out the white vinegar from your humidifier after you’ve cleared away all the visible dirt. Now, you should disinfect the water tank to remove any remaining bacteria. Mix together a solution of 1 teaspoon of bleach and 1 gallon of water. You should always use heavy-duty gloves and goggles when working with bleach and other harsh chemicals.Then, fill the water tank halfway with this solution. Swirl the liquid around the tank to coat all of the inner walls. Once the tank is thoroughly coated with the bleach solution, let it soak for another 30 minutes.
Step 4: Rinsing
Drain the bleach solution from the water tank and use running water to thoroughly rinse the tank as well as all of the removable components you set aside. Once you no longer smell bleach on the water tank, you can stop rinsing and lay everything out to air dry.
Step 5: Reassembly
Make sure everything has completely dried before you reassemble your humidifier. When you’re ready, put all of the removable pieces back and fill the tank up with clean water. If possible, use distilled water instead of tap water to prevent minerals from building up in the tank.
Also Read: Best Inexpensive Humidifier
Top 5 easiest humidifier to clean in 2022
1) MIRO-NR08M Completely Washable Sanitary Humidifier
This unit’s design and quality make it one of the best Miro products for easy cleaning. Its round body houses the water tank. And a floating technology where the mist creator is submerged in the water tank too.
The delicate design ensures that it is a beauty to behold, adding a bit of a better look to your room in general, and the bottom side, where the round part sits, contains soft-touch control buttons, which makes it easier to use while giving a touch of modern design.
All parts of the body of this product are waterproof. Hence you can entirely immerse it in water. Taking the unit apart is also a piece of cake while being waterproof ensures that even the smallest part is washable. When taken apart, there are also no hard-to-reach corners like regular humidifiers; therefore, washing maintenance is very convenient and easy to carry out, even up to the fan is waterproof.
It is a Bluetooth chip with preprogrammed AI like Alexa and Google Home, which enables the user to control the humidifier remotely from the convenience of their smartphone.
You can use hot soapy water to clean this unit, eliminating the need and extra costs of cleaning agents like vinegar. The humidifier also exhibits beauty in the presence of night lights with different color options, covering the rainbow with additional colors. However, you can turn off the night light to afford more comfort for heavy sleepers. To avoid knocking over in total darkness, it doesn’t go down to zero brightness.
Pros
- completely washable
- easily dismantled
- compatible with noise muffler
- compatible with voice and remote app control (optional cost addition)
- lack of hard to reach corners
- waterproof
- suitable for large rooms
Cons
- small water tank
- should be used with distilled water only
- short runtime
2) Miro NR07G humidifier – Completely Washable Humidifier
The NR07G is the second humidifier on our list, bearing a strong resemblance to the first in appearance and design but with a few tweaks. It has a round body sits on a flat surface where the controls are housed, resembling precisely the NR07G in looks. One significant difference is that this comes with an analog control knob for toggling between mist output levels, compared to the touch-sensitive oNR07G, which is more digital.
The unit has a swappable vapor cap design, with two mist output outlets available. The tea kettle cap points to the side and allows 360-degree rotation for the user, making it ideal for bedrooms and more precise humidification. In contrast, the volcano cap type is unidirectional, pointing straight up. There is also a tap built-in at the top side of the unit, whose passage leads to the tank, allowing room for the user to fill up quickly and without stopping the operation of the machine.
It also boasts floating technology, having parts that are washable and submersible in water. The mist creator flows inside a water bow and directly connects to the control knob outside the device for varying the mist’s output levels. The humidifier also has completely waterproof parts, removing the extra time spent on cautioning during cleaning compared to regular humidifiers.
Being suitable for pretty large rooms of up to 600 sqft crowns, the overall performance of this unit is that it has a small water tank of about 1 gallon, which can last for a maximum level of 24 hours and maybe 8 hours on higher speeds. In all, it is easy to use and highly convenient to clean.
Pros
- easy to clean
- easy to use
- waterproof
- washable
- suitable for large-sized rooms
Cons
- small water tank
- should be used with distilled water only
3) Pure Enrichment HumeXL Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
This unit returns the digital touch found on most humidifiers today, possessing all soft-touch control, giving the user a fantastic and convenient option. Its design comes with a noise-proof casing, housing all the sound produced by the mechanical parts of the humidifier during operations. The overall size and weight of the unit, though, are large, making it quite bulky to move around the home, hence poor mobility.
When it comes to mist distribution capacity and the amount of time taken to effect a change in the environment, the performance of pure enrichment Hume xl is impressive. At the top side of the unit exists two independent nozzles that can be rotated in a 360-degree direction, allowing the user to humidify specific areas of the home and the unit to cover more ground and raise the humidity level in a shorter amount of time.
The auto-shutoff safety feature, too, is built-in, which comes into play to avoid overheating that could lead to fire hazards and prevent unnecessary energy consumption that could increase bills. This feature kicks in automatically when the water in the unit’s tank runs dry while in use or should in case the tank is suddenly removed from the unit. The device is suitable for small-sized rooms, though, of up to 270sqft, while also being sure to create white dust problems when used with non-distilled water.
Most importantly, this humidifier model is straightforward to clean. Its design enables it to be quickly removed and washed with warm water or other recommended cleaning agents. The water tank has a large enough opening at the top for easy refill and cleaning; therefore, your hand would easily reach in, wiping even the smallest areas.
Pros
- easy to clean humidifier
- two independent mist nozzle
- low noise operation
- auto shutoff
- slightly large water tank
- long runtime
- five years warranty
- high mist output nozzle
Cons
- Suitable for small-sized rooms
- distilled water only
4) Honeywell HCM350W cool mist humidifier
This reasonably sized evaporative humidifier features curves all around, giving it a slick and attractive look. The Honeywell HCM350W Cool Mist Humidifier has a relatively large tank of about 4L that comes with a handle that makes it very easy to remove for refills.
The device is extremely quiet, even when running at the highest speed, which I found to be the case during the three weeks I tested the unit.
The humidifier has a filter to prevent white dust from being released with the mist when non-distilled water is used. Filters for this device lasted me about 4-6 weeks.
In cold weather, running at high speed, the Honeywell HCM350W can raise a 625-square-foot apartment to 25% and peak at 35% in warm weather. For the most effective performance, I recommend using it in rooms less than 400 square feet.
Pros
- quiet operation
- easy to clean humidifier
- large tank
- accurate filter
Cons
- doesn’t support essential oil usage
- doesn’t have an automatic shut-off
- expensive filter replacement
5) Vicks Warm Mist Humidifier
This humidifier is completely filter-free, removing the stress as well as the expense of using a filter, which, as a result, leads to a lower running cost compared to filter-used humidifiers. It is strictly warm mist in design, and we’d say it pretty much does what they say it does, in the temperature of mist released. With a 1-gallon water tank size, this product would give a reasonable runtime, while producing enough moisture to affect the environment.
Deep from the array of Vicks humidifiers, this device carries the trademark look of a Vicks product, coming with a completely transparent water tank, sitting on the remaining plastic body. Controlling the mist output rate is done through the use of an analog button, and its whole setup is designed to achieve portability as well as mobility.
The humidifier can last for up to 24 hours of runtime on the lowest setting, which is enough to keep your hands off the product for at least a day, and is also very quiet while functioning. This makes it suitable for bedrooms and baby’s rooms, primarily due to their noiseless sleep nature, and it also has the auto mode to back it up for should water run dry in the tank.
The auto mode immediately shuts off the device to avoid overheating, and then you go on to clean the device (which is very easy by the way), before refilling. It comes with a special chamber that makes it compatible with the Vicks Vapor steam or essential oil, depending on your choice, which helps relieve congestions while adding fragrance to the air.
Pros
- filter-free
- auto-shutoff
- long runtime
- easy to clean humidifier
- 3-year warranty
- quiet operation
- mobile and portable
- essential oil compatible for aromatherapy
Cons
- more suited to distilled water use
- prone to leakages
Why You Should Keep Your Humidifier Clean
So many home appliances require regular cleaning and maintenance, so your humidifier may not be at the forefront of your mind. However, cleaning your humidifier is important to keep the machine running smoothly and to maintain good air quality in your home.
Like with all appliances, if you don’t take good care of your humidifier, it won’t last as long. Large humidifiers aren’t cheap, so you should get your money’s worth by cleaning yours regularly and keeping it in top shape.
More importantly, letting dirt and bacteria build up in your humidifier can take a toll on your health. The water in the tank sits there stagnant, and it’s very easy for mold and bacteria to build up. Then, when you turn the machine on, it releases those particles into the air.
Although your humidifier may only release trace amounts of bacteria, it can build up in your home over time. As the air quality gets worse and you breathe in these particles, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Coughing
- Asthma attacks
- Shortness of breath
- Lung inflammation
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
People sometimes go weeks or months experiencing these symptoms without knowing what’s causing them. Then, when they clean and disinfect their humidifier, the symptoms go away.
A humidifier creates moisture in the form of mists, which is released into the air, and where moisture exists, there is always a tendency for bacteria to build up over time, leading to contamination.
This is what would happen eventually if you fail to clean a humidifier, over time, the water tank would breed bacteria which would go on to infect subsequent water refills and be sent out alongside the mist into your atmosphere. This turns your humidifier from a source of health maintaining unit to a germ overflow dishing box.
Maintenance Tips
- 1. Clean regularly
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends cleaning humidifiers with a capacity of five gallons or less once per week and humidifiers with a larger capacity once every two weeks.
- 2. Rinse the water tank with each use
Each time you turn on your humidifier, you should empty and replace the standing water in the tank. This will prevent bacteria from building up inside the unit and contaminating the air in your home.
- 3. Clean your humidifier before storage.
If you store your humidifier away for the summer, it’s essential to do a deep cleaning first. Any dirt, mold, or bacteria on the tank will grow massively while in storage. You should also make sure all of the parts of the humidifier are completely dry before putting the machine away. Any dampness can lead to mold.
Air with low humidity could have aftermath effect on the human body, including causing or worsening dry eyes, skin and throat, which is why most people today opt for a humidifier. Having a humidifier around is one of the best ways to solve humidity problems, as it is able to perform the basic task of putting out moisture into the environment. A major problem faced when using a humidifier is the strict maintenance schedule required to keep it in a healthy condition, which is in basic terms – the regular cleaning. For this reason, it is important you go for not just a humidifier unit, but the easiest humidifier to clean.
Also Read: Quietest Humidifier for bedroom
Factors to consider in choosing the easiest humidifier to clean
- Top-fill design:
Then easiest humidifier to clean are those with a good top-fill inlet design. Units like this are mostly designed with a large entrance at the top side, allowing both the user to easily fill and put in the hand to clean thoroughly during maintenance.
- Absence of tight spaces:
one of the major reasons while dirt might accumulate in a humidifier is due to the presence of small tight spaces that are difficult to reach during cleaning. Over time, they accumulate dirt that contaminates even the newly filled water in the tank. Units with though these tight spaces can be cleaned with 100 percent efficiency, as well as taking lesser time for maintenance.
Also Read: Best humidifier without filter
When should you clean your humidifier?
Most manufacturers recommend you clean at least once a week, after using for a few days. It is dangerous to wait till when the air starts to feel uncomfortable (hence bacteria has gotten in), as it might have done some damaged by then.
Rather clean often with a recommended cleaning agent (approved by manufacturer), because not all cleaning agents can be used with a specific unit, as some might rather cause damage to a humidifier than actually clean it.
How to descale a humidifier?
Descaling is simply the removal of mineral build up in a ‘humidifier’s water tank, and it is mostly done in units where hard water is used. The easiest way to descale a humidifier is by cleaning your humidifier with undiluted white vinegar, as this removes the scales on the body of the tank, and it should be done frequently, precisely once every week is recommended.
In descaling, you should soak a clean piece of cloth in white vinegar, and rap in around the specific affected areas, allowing this setup for about a few minutes. At the end of this duration, the mineral deposits would have loosened from the body of the container, and then you should wipe the loosened deposits away with another soft cloth, and rinse affected areas thoroughly with clean water.
How to clean a humidifier without vinegar?
Asides using vinegar in cleaning a humidifier, there are also other chemical agents that can be used, and they would do a good job in keeping germs away. You can make use of bleach or hydrogen peroxide in cleaning a humidifier.
- Step 1:
The first step is to take your humidifier apart, removing the filter if there is one and cleaning with cool water and leaving it to dry.
- Step 2:
Mix a teaspoon of bleach or 3 per cent of hydrogen peroxide in 1 gallon of water, and pour into the water tank of the unit. Stir properly, so the solution reaches all area of the tank.
- Step 3:
lastly you rinse the water tank, especially the base area, and other small parts. Also, shake it well severally in order to remove every trapped moisture and get rid of bleach odours, then you leave it to dry.
You can also choose to make use of a readymade disinfectant or cleanser instead of the bleaching agent. They are mostly called a descaler or bacteriostat, and you use them following the exact same steps above.
Final Verdict: Best Humidifier easy to clean
Concluding on this review so far, if you would make a choice on the easiest humidifier to clean, then you should look no further than the MIRO-NR08M. This product possesses all the must-have qualities for being an easy to clean humidifier, combining them with a cool modern float technology that makes for both a complete set. Its complete waterproof design also allows the user, liberty to wash appropriately, not being cautious of potential damages that can be caused by water like in other humidifiers.
On the other hand, going for the Miro NR07G ‘isn’t a bad choice either, as it boasts most of the qualities of the NR08M, asides from the digital touch, as it instead makes use of an analogue knob for controls.
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