For those living in places where winters can get terribly cold, keeping the heater on is a must. And this consequently sucks up all the moisture in the air, leaving it bare and dry. This results in continuous dry coughs, thick, annoying mucus, blocked noses, and dehydrated skin. Dry air is also very dangerous for asthmatic people. But with a humidifier, all that can be kept at bay. These electrical appliances make winters more endurable by emitting hot or warm vapor, creating a moist, cozy breeze indoors. Most importantly, Levoit humidifiers are easy to use and are equipped with smart features that take comfort to a whole other level. Due to that reason, they are becoming so popular nowadays. However, the prevalent question seems to be: How do you clean a Levoit humidifier? The answer is simple: just like you clean any other humidifier.
In this article, we are, in a step by step manner, going to show you how to clean a Levoit humidifier. But first…
Contents
Why Do You Need A Humidifier?
Of course, there is a lot to benefit from a humidifier, especially during the long cold winters. As mentioned, they are most effective in preventing dryness of skin, lips, throat, eyes, and nose, but they can also be helpful in the following ways:
- Getting rid of static electricity- Static electricity builds up strenuously when humidity levels are low. Those small shocks and tiny sparks can really get annoying. One way to get rid of them is by moisturizing the air.
- A fresh, cozy atmosphere- By adding moisture in the air, they reduce stuffiness and make the place more comfortable. It also becomes easy for asthmatic people to breathe.
- Warm winters– When set to release warm steam, they can noticeably higher the temperatures of the room.
- You can also use them for aroma diffusion to add that sweet-smelling fragrance.
Why a Levoit Humidifier?
- You can adjust the mist levels
- Smart auto-shutoff feature
- Easy to clean and operate
- Has an aroma box
Why Is It Important To Keep Your Humidifier Clean?
For numerous reasons, it is important to clean your humidifier at least once a week.
Probably the most important reason is to ensure the unit runs smoothly. The residue may build up in the nozzle and other parts, and slow down the steam movement. But when you regularly clean, the unit will serve you to the maximum, and that also adds on durability.
Cleaning and disinfecting the unit frequently also kills bacteria. You see, when water stagnates in the tank for a while, it grows bacteria, which can be harmful when released in the air. This impure water should be drained out and the tank cleaned so that the unit only emits a clean, bacteria-free mist.
So, let’s get to the cleaning now…
A Levoit humidifier, just like any other humidifier, has two basic parts; A water tank and a base that hosts the tank. You should wash these two and the aroma pad as well if your model has one.
What You Will Need
- Distilled white vinegar
- Clean running water (Preferably warm)
- Bleach or hydrogen peroxide
- Clean cloth or paper towels
- A small bucket
For your own safety, turn off the unit and disconnect it from the power source before you begin disassembling.
If you run your humidifier on distilled water only, then use the same for cleanup purposes.
It is more convenient to do the cleaning next to a sink with clean running water.
More Guidelines On How To Clean A Levoit Humidifier
Cleaning The Unit
STEP 1: Unplug the humidifier.
STEP 2: Take the top cover that has the nozzle off. Do some checkups on the nozzle to see if there is any build-up. Either way, run it through clean water to keep it clear and working. Set it aside to dry up.
STEP 3: Remove the tank from the base while holding it by the handle. Take the cap off and dump out any excess water. Pour in 2 cups of distilled vinegar to the tank, followed by 2 cups of water. Replace the cap and shake the tank gently, swishing it around vigorously to make sure the mixture gets all the build-up in the corners. Leave the vinegar in the tank for 30 minutes.
STEP 4: Unlock and remove the chimney-like part from the base. You will see the filter which you should as well remove. Place them inside the bucket and add some vinegar. Let the parts soak for 30 minutes.
STEP 5: Add one cup of white distilled vinegar to the inner chamber. Also, allow the vinegar to soak for 30 minutes. Be cautious not to pour any vinegar inside the electrical part.
STEP 6: Using the cloth or paper towel, wash out any residual build up in the tank or the inner chamber. Some models come with a brush, which makes it easy to remove the scalp. In such a case, you don’t require any paper or cloth. Also, wash out any scalp on the outer plastic parts of the tank. If the scalp is so sticky, wet the cloth with vinegar and cover the area for a few minutes. It should loosen up.
STEP 7: Pour out the vinegar from the tank, the inner chamber and the bucket. Rinse all the parts with running tap water. Using a piece of dry cloth or paper towel, dry all the parts.
STEP 8: Reassemble the unit. Make sure that all parts are dry before reassembling.
Cleaning The Aroma Pad
Some Levoit humidifiers come with an aroma pad whose function is to diffuse aroma to add comfort in your home. It, too, should be cleaned. However, liquid detergents and cleaners should not be used on both the aroma box and the aroma pad. Follow these four steps:
STEP 1: Remove the aroma pad by first pressing it and then pulling it out from the base.
STEP 2: Remove the aroma pad from the aroma box.
STEP 3: Rinse the aroma pad using warm running water.
STEP 4: Dry the pad with a clean cloth or paper towel and place it back inside the aroma box. Push the aroma box back into the unit.
Disinfecting The Humidifier
It is always recommended that you disinfect the unit before storing it for long periods. Disinfecting should also be done when mold has formed inside the tank. Here’s the disinfection process:
STEP 1: Clean the tank.
STEP 2: Add 1 spoonsful of bleach into the tank and fill up with a gallon of clean water. Replace the cap and shake vigorously to make sure the bleach hits all the corners of the tank. Let the solution soak for 30 minutes.
STEP 3: Dissolve ¼ spoonsful of bleach into a cup of water then pour the solution to the inner chamber. Also allow it to settle for 30 minutes.
STEP 4: Pour out the mixtures from both the tank and inner chamber, and rinse them with clean running water.
STEP 5: Reassemble the unit and take it to storage.
And that’s how easy it is to clean a Levoit humidifier. It is a simple process that roughly takes an hour. Make it a routine to clean and disinfect your humidifier regularly. If you can’t manage once a week, then at least try after every 3 weeks. It is for your own health, so no big deal.
