Humidifier slime issue!

luvmygirlss · November 2013

Can anyone recommend a humidifier that doesn't build up slime? I change and rinse it everyday but still slime builds up in the crevices. It's so gross and unhealthy! Is there such thing as a self cleaning humidifier that gets rid of the gunk, or one that doesn't get nasty in the first place???

love4b · November 2013

Vicks warm mist humidifiers boil the water to create steam. No slime.

luvmygirlss · November 2013

minxyglams said:

Vicks warm mist humidifiers boil the water to create steam. No slime.

Aha! I knew there had to be something, thanks for the tip!

JSS1002 · November 2013

I actually thought that cool mist humidifiers were recommended because of this...

ClandestineX · November 2013

JSS1002 said:

I actually thought that cool mist humidifiers were recommended because of this...

cool mist humidifiers can get slime or mold as well.

MsAmeera25 · November 2013

I have the vicks cool mist one and i wash it every 3 days with soap and bleach to make sure there is no slime, maybe clean it more often

NicoleSB80 · November 2013

luvmygirlss said:

minxyglams said:

Vicks warm mist humidifiers boil the water to create steam. No slime.

Aha! I knew there had to be something, thanks for the tip!

But it creates buildup and sometimes mild. I think any humidifier needs to be cleaned every couple weeks. We fill it with hot water and a couple drops of bleach and let it sit and then empty an fully dry before refilling. Then use vinegar on any buildup issues.

Kate_C · November 2013

The cool mist ones get gross MUCH quicker and if it has a filter, plan on replacing it very frequently. We put a cool one in our son's room because the steam ones are a safety issue. But the steam ones generally are much cleaner IMHO. I have to chip mineral build up off the element, but no sludge in the base like with the cool one.

JSS1002 · November 2013

Kate_C said:

The cool mist ones get gross MUCH quicker and if it has a filter, plan on replacing it very frequently. We put a cool one in our son's room because the steam ones are a safety issue. But the steam ones generally are much cleaner IMHO. I have to chip mineral build up off the element, but no sludge in the base like with the cool one.

Weird, I just read an article somewhere about how cool mist humidifiers were recommended over warm because the warm water was more likely to get moldy. I have a humidifier that swings both ways, luckily!

kgs0505 · November 2013

mrandmrsk91011 said:

The manual on our humidifier recommends rinsing the humidifier out daily and rising weekly with vinegar and water. The vinegar will kill the bacteria.

And cool mist humidifiers are what our Dr and Pharmacist both recommend.

Yep, same here. Stagnant water is the worst for growing bacteria. So emptying and drying the unit everyday, plus the vinegar rinse weekly should keep it slime free. I have been know to do the 10% bleach solution if I forgot about it for a few days. 10-15 contact time only though, otherwise you'll get corrosion on the metal parts. You can't do bleach regularly.

hatroopes · November 2013

JSS1002 said:

Kate_C said:

The cool mist ones get gross MUCH quicker and if it has a filter, plan on replacing it very frequently. We put a cool one in our son's room because the steam ones are a safety issue. But the steam ones generally are much cleaner IMHO. I have to chip mineral build up off the element, but no sludge in the base like with the cool one.

Weird, I just read an article somewhere about how cool mist humidifiers were recommended over warm because the warm water was more likely to get moldy. I have a humidifier that swings both ways, luckily!

This is what I thought too and it makes sense.

We have a cool mist one as well and I clean and sanitize weekly.

luvmygirlss · November 2013

mrandmrsk91011 said:

The manual on our humidifier recommends rinsing the humidifier out daily and rising weekly with vinegar and water. The vinegar will kill the bacteria.

And cool mist humidifiers are what our Dr and Pharmacist both recommend.

This is what I do, but there small spaces especially in the base that is impossible to get to. Even with vinegar and bleach you still have to use a washcloth to get it out and it's impossible to get in those little spaces. I have even tried with q-tips. It's crazy to have to do this every single day. If I wait 2 or 3 days forget it...major slime!! There has to be something...

JanessLynn · November 2013

mrandmrsk91011 said:
The manual on our humidifier recommends rinsing the humidifier out daily and rising weekly with vinegar and water. The vinegar will kill the bacteria.

This!

luvmygirlss · November 2013

Does anyone have a particular humidifier, that doesn't have this issue or one that doesn't have tight spaces that can't be cleaned. Maybe it's just the brand, I have Crane the froggy one in particular. Maybe it's a crappy brand???

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