Can i reuse humidifier filter

And this is one of the main causes of winter colds, flu, and other illnesses. But humidifiers present their own health hazards, not least of which is the filter. This is because a humidifier filter essentially acts as a wick, bringing water up from the reservoir and exposing it to the moving air of the fan.

This means that if the water in a humidifier is unchanged for days on end, bacteria, molds, and fungi breed in it and their spores are transferred to the air we breathe. Just the same as if someone with a cold had sneezed on us! Many people wonder how to perfectly clean a humidifier filter but in fact, it is not so difficult if you follow a few simple methods properly.

Since you are supposed to touch or handle many soaked parts, make sure to unplug the humidifier first of all. Unplugging the humidifier will save you from any kind of risk. After unplugging, it is time to vacate the humidifier tank completely by draining the old water out of the tank. You can simply open the top compartment of the humidifier in order to access the tank. After this, examine the filter to observe how much cleaning the filter requires. Rinsing will be enough if the filter is less dirty.

But in case of the presence of mold and excessive mineral buildup, you can use bleach or vinegar for cleaning the humidifier filter. If the filter is made of disposable paper, you cannot clean it. So in this regard, you have no way other than throwing it away and setting a new filter. Now hold the filter under fresh and cool running water to eliminate any minimal remainders of dust, dirt or impurities. After thorough rinsing, dry the filter properly and completely.

It is wise to keep it on an absorbent towel to dry it up instead of using any dryer machine for this purpose. Rinse the filter with cool water. Rotate the filter under the stream to dislodge any traces of dust or dirt.

Lightly brush away stuck-on debris with a soft-bristled brush or fingertip, but be careful not to apply too much pressure to the mesh. Once the filter looks clean, shake off the excess water.

Allow the filter to dry completely. When it comes to drying a clean filter, air drying is the safest option. Attempting to speed the drying process along using another tool, such as a hair dryer, may cause permanent damage. Set the filter on an absorbent towel and check back in hours. Mold needs moisture to thrive. Reloading your humidifier with clean water and a dry filter will prevent mold from returning. Once the filter is dry, you can reassemble and start using the humidifier again.

Method 2. Fill a sink or bucket with warm water. Run enough water to completely submerge the filter. For deep-cleaning tasks, warm or hot water will work best. Pour in distilled white vinegar. Add one part vinegar for every two parts water. Mix the vinegar and water gently by hand. This solution will be effective for cleaning and disinfecting filters with small amounts of mildew or discoloration. You can also use a mixture of citric acid and water to clean your filter. Soak the filter in the vinegar solution for minutes.

Submerge the filter and leave it to sit. The vinegar will gradually begin working to dissolve small mold spots and other stuck-on residue.

Never use formulated cleaning solutions on a humidifier air filter. These can deteriorate synthetic materials. Run clean water through the filter. After the filter has had a chance to soak, remove it from the vinegar solution and rinse it thoroughly under the faucet. Try to wash away as much loose gunk as you can.

Give the filter a shake and set it aside to air dry. Do not squeeze or wring out damp filters. Check the product manual to be sure, but this process may take a while to ensure all dirt is removed. Overall, humidifier filters are an economical purchase and a time-saver. Purchasing several filters along with a humidifier is also recommended, so you always have extras on hand. Cleaning a humidifier or changing a wick-type humidifier filter is easy and only takes a few steps.

Plus, changing and cleaning a humidifier filter regularly will keep the unit operating at maximum efficiency. When storing away the humidifier, it is important to complete a humidifier cleaning and filter change so the unit will be ready to go for the next season.

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