I think many parents are already aware that using a cool mist humidifier to help minimize cold symptoms is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Humidifiers are often very helpful in the winter months when colds, flus, and viruses seem to unfortunately be at every turn. When used properly cool mist humidifiers can help keep secretions thin, prevent nose bleeds, ease a dry cough, moisten chapped lips, and overall make your child more comfortable.
The reason I am writing this post is because I don't think it is commonly understood how very important it is to clean and store humidifiers properly when not in use. Clearly, a parent would not want to open up their humidifier in a time of need and discover mold or even worse unknowingly use a moldy/mildewy/bacteria filled humidifier. As the end of cold and flu season nears, I thought it would be helpful to go over some tips and tricks for proper storage and cleansing of your humidifier.
Steps For End of Season Cleaning and Storage of Your Humidifier
1. Every part of the tank and basin should be disinfected with a water and white vinegar solution
(A few cap fulls of white vinegar in the tank and fill the rest with water). Don't forget to clean the lid!
(A few cap fulls of white vinegar in the tank and fill the rest with water). Don't forget to clean the lid!
2. Let the solution sit for 30 minutes.
3. Thoroughly rinse the tank and basin.
4. Allow to air dry COMPLETELY with the cap off.
5 Store in a dry location.
If you have additional questions about your Crane Humidifier and/or proper use or storage you can connect with them on Facebook and Twitter. If you would like to win a Crane Humidifier please enter the rafflecopter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
If you have additional questions about your Crane Humidifier and/or proper use or storage you can connect with them on Facebook and Twitter. If you would like to win a Crane Humidifier please enter the rafflecopter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Crane. All opinions are my own however the informational content regarding cleaning and storage of humidifiers has been kindly provided by Crane.
I honestly had no idea how to clean a humidifier, or even that you were supposed to!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I saw this. "Moo" our humidifier was about to get tossed by my hubby cause he said he didn't know what to do to get the build up off.
ReplyDeleteI've never had a humidifier so it's all new to me. I sure could use one in my sons room. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI knew about them but didn't know they help with chapped lips.
ReplyDeleteI did not think to use vinegar. Thanks for the tip! - griselle
ReplyDeleteno clue about the vinegar
ReplyDeleteI had no idea white vinegar was the way to go. THANKS!
ReplyDeleteHelpful in the winter months when colds, flus, and viruses seem to unfortunately be at every turn.
ReplyDeleteI needed to do this but had no idea how! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI always clean my humidifiers with white vinegar, but I definitely didn't let it sit for 30 minutes, especially before storage! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletewe always just dumped it out and let it air dry. didnt know you were supposed to use vinegar
ReplyDeleteI knew nothing about proper storage so I learned a whole lot!!!
ReplyDeleteI have a Crane humidifier, so I already know about storage. I empty out the water, clean the inside with vinegar, and let everything dry well before storing my humidifier away for the season.
ReplyDeleteI learned that you clean it with a vinegar water solution
ReplyDeleteI learned that I need to clean it out with vinegar.
ReplyDeletethat it should stay with the rinse for 30 min!
ReplyDeleteI vaguely knew it would need cleaned but not as thoroughly as you explained. I can see you wouldn't want it to be a breeding ground while stored away and then use it and all those toxins be in the air.
ReplyDeletei hardly knew anything so this helped a lot!
ReplyDeletei learned about white vinegar solution, glad you reminded us to clean the lid too!
ReplyDeleteI've never used a humidifier because I've always been nervous about mold and mildew. This article makes me think I could use one and not have to worry.
ReplyDeletei never knew what to do now i do . you have to use white vinegar to clean it
ReplyDeleteI learned that they can help prevent nose bleeds, wish my mom would have known that growing up! Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteto use water and white vinegar for 30 min. to clean
ReplyDeleteI learned I should let the solution set for 30 minutes, I usually don't wait that long...
ReplyDeleteEnd of season cleaning has never even occurred to me - thanks for the how-to!
ReplyDeletei would have never thought to use a vinegar solution!
ReplyDeleteI always forget to disinfect before storage, this was a great reminder.
ReplyDeleteI've had a handful of humidifiers, so I already knew how to clean and store, thanks for the refresher though!
ReplyDeleteEvery part of the tank and basin should be disinfected with a water and white vinegar solution... didn't know that! I usually just put it away :/
ReplyDeleteI never knew to do that with white vinegar.
ReplyDeleteI did not know to rinse it out with vinegar. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI have always used cleaner, not vinegar. love that natural option!
ReplyDeleteI should use vinegar to clean it
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me to do this -- we have not used our humidifier in a few weeks and it's been set to the side!
ReplyDeleteI really didn't know how to clean and store my humidifier! I didn't even think to use vinegar!
ReplyDeleteI never thought of cleaning out my humidifier but you're so right. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteHonestly it's all new info to me...I'm cluelss about humidifiers!!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know how to clean one so thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteI did not know how important it was to put it away clean! Thanks
ReplyDeleteI always forget to disinfect before storage, this was a great reminder.
ReplyDeleteI learned to clean it with white vinegar.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea how important cleaning was, but it makes sense! Thanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea it was so important to clean it, or that you could use white vinegar.
ReplyDeleteAt 48 years old, I am embarrassed to say, I had no idea I needed to do anything other than pour the water out. When it's time to us it again, I always just rinse it. EEEEEEEEK! I'm throwing mine out & getting a new one if I don't win this one.
ReplyDeleteWe use vinegar, otherwise it gets completely scaled over in less than a month. There is so much crap in our water here.
ReplyDeleteI always "cleaned" my humidifier but after reading this, I was doing it incorrectly!
ReplyDeletedonovandiva61269@aol.com
I learned more about cleaning one!
ReplyDeleteI clean mine with vinegar at least once a month
ReplyDeleteI learned that Ive been cleaning my humidifier incorrectly lol making a note of vinegar use!
ReplyDeleteI learned that you need to let the solution sit for 30 mintues. Smart!
ReplyDeletewhile i am a big fan of white vinegar for disinfecting...It never dawned on me to use it in this.
ReplyDeleteI learned to Make sure that you let it dry completely before putting it away
ReplyDeleteI learned you should disinfect it with a water and white vinegar solution.
ReplyDeleteI have felt that my family could really use a humidifier, so I would absolutely love to win one! Your post was very informative, as I wouldn't have readily thought of thoroughly cleaning the humidifier before putting it away. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI learned the hard way a couple years ago, and didn't realize how badly our hard water could wreck one... :) ..now I know better!
ReplyDeleteI dont have to hire one when cleaning. Never thought it would be that easy.
ReplyDeleteAir Temperature Specialists San Diego