A humidifier can be a game-changer for keeping your home comfortable, especially during dry seasons. But it could be doing more harm than good if not properly maintained. Dirty humidifiers can harbor mold, bacteria, and other nasties that end up being released into the air you breathe without us even noticing, while reducing the performance and lifespan of our humidifiers.
The good news? Disinfecting your humidifier is simple and doesn’t take much time. In this guide, we’ll show you how to keep your humidifier clean and your air healthy with just a few steps.
How often should you disinfect your humidifier?
Humidifiers can develop mold and other impurities pretty quickly, depending on running time and the water used (distilled water tends to have less minerals and impurities than tap water), a good rule of thumb is to:
Daily Clean: Prevents growth of mold and other impurities, although you can limit daily cleaning to each time you refill your tank by adding a demineralization or clean mist cartridge, that can help keep your mist clear of impurities while reducing the need for cleaning, especially for humidifiers with large tank capacity such as the the DREO HM735S. Daily cleaning will only require simple rinsing and drying before refilling.
Weekly Clean (descaling): A bit more tedious process, it will require dissasembling your humidifier and preparing a mix of vinegar or bleach with water to sanitize the tank before using it again, but it will ensure there are no impurities in your humidifier while in use.
💡Smart DREO Tip: Connecting your smart humidifiers like the DREO HM735S or the DREO cool & warm mist humidifier HM713S to the DREO app can help you track your cleaning routine with smart cleaning reminders and refilling notifications.
What You'll Need
- Citric acid solution (bleach or distilled white vinegar)
- Small cleaning brush (included in your humidifier)
- Soft cloth (optional)
- Water
Daily Clean
⚠️Remember always to unplug your humidifier before performing any cleaning or refilling tasks.
1. Remove the tank from the base. 
2. Take out the water tank cover and drain any remaining water from the tank and base. 
Note: Pay close attention when pouring out water from the base to avoid damaging the electronic components inside your humidifier.
3. Rinse the tank with warm water. 
4. Gently clean the base and tank with a soft cloth or the included cleaning brush. 
5. Fill the tank with room temp water and attach it to the base.
Weekly Clean (descaling)
Although most humidifiers would require you to perform a thorough clean on a weekly basis, new humidifier like the DREO HM306 come with a user friendly design that is easy to detach and doesn't have dead corners where impurities can buildup, which help them make cleaning easier and last longer.
⚠️Remember always to unplug your humidifier before performing any cleaning or refilling tasks.
1. Detach the water tank and cover from the base and rinse with warm water. 
2. Take out the water tank cover and drain any remaining water from the tank and base. 
3. Fill the tank with a solution of white vinegar or bleach and water (one teaspoon for each gallon of water). Shake the tank and let it sit attached to the base for 15 to 20 min. 
4. Remove the tank and drain all water from tank and base, remove all detachable parts and clean with the included brush or a soft cloth.
💡Cleaning Tip: Make sure to use the brush to clean all remaining mold and scale from the crevices in the humidifier.
Final Takeout
Maintaining a clean humidifier is essential for your health and your humidifier's performance. By following a consistent cleaning schedule—daily rinsing and weekly disinfecting—you’ll ensure that your humidifier produces fresh, clean mist and lasts for years to come. Choosing cleaning-friendly humidifiers like the DREO HM306 and HM735S can make the whole issue a breeze, while also being compatible with clean mist cartridges, keeping your mist purer, while requiring less maintenance. Prioritize a healthy home environment—your, lungs and your humidifier will thank you!
