Moldy Humidifiers

Cracking skin, bloody noses, and rough cuticles… there’s no doubt about it, dry air is not only uncomfortable, it can also weaken your body’s natural defenses against illness. Enter the humidifier, that nifty – often portable – device that can pump a little moisture back into your environment. Yet while that extra moisture can be a positive thing (who really wants dry, cracked lips?), it can also pose a serious health risk.

A wet or moist environment is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold. And, if you aren’t cleaning your humidifier regularly, you could be creating an ideal incubator for mold – an incubator that gently mists that mold into the air you breathe, potentially causing flu-like respiratory symptoms or even viral lung inflammation known as “humidifier fever.”

To avoid a potentially moldy mess, it’s recommended that you clean and sanitize your humidifier weekly. Fill the tank with a weak bleach solution – no more than one teaspoon per gallon of water – and let it soak for 20 minutes, swirling the water every four to five minutes to ensure the solution covers the sides. Finally, pour the bleach solution down the drain and rinse with cool water until any bleach odor is gone. If you’re not comfortable using bleach, the EPA suggests a 3% hydrogen peroxide, 97% water solution.