{"id":19698,"date":"2024-10-30T20:23:58","date_gmt":"2024-10-30T20:23:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/stamford-ct-puroclean-stamford\/?post_type=blog&p=19698"},"modified":"2024-10-30T20:23:58","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T20:23:58","slug":"mold-in-humidifier-2-amazing-methods-to-remove-the-gross-mold","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/stamford-ct-puroclean-stamford\/blog\/mold-in-humidifier-2-amazing-methods-to-remove-the-gross-mold\/","title":{"rendered":"Mold in Humidifier: 2 Amazing Methods to Remove the Gross Mold"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The oldest of the old school appliances, the humidifier, is a staple of many households in one form or another – hopefully without mold. They are an incredibly effective way to add much-needed moisture to dry air indoors and reduce both static electricity and sinus bother. Unfortunately, they also tend to be a haven for mold growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mold can equally affect your portable humidifier as it can an installed humidifier unit. If your humidifier has been unused for a lengthy period of time or you haven\u2019t cleaned it in a while, you may notice bacteria growth or mold growth. Mold can be dangerous to your health and property. If mold grows in the humidifiers, it will spread mold spores throughout the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s always best to reach out to the professionals at PuroClean if you suspect mold is present anywhere in your home. Our trained technicians have the skills and state-of-the-art equipment to safely and properly remediate the problem. If the mold affects an area smaller than 10 square feet, there are some at-home treatments you can choose to try yourself using proper safety precautions. In this blog, we\u2019ll take a look at why mold grows in humidifiers, how to recognize mold growth, and some tips to remediate it yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does Mold Develop in a Humidifier?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A humidifier is used to add moisture into indoor air, providing relief from dryness. Without some kind of airflow around the humidifier, it would simply collect water from the air and sit there. This means a lot of humidifiers have a fan or some other form of airflow moving over them to spread the moisture throughout a room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you put a lot of organic matter in close proximity to your humidifier and don\u2019t allow for adequate air movement, mold may develop on the surface where water collects. Isolation indoors during wintertime means that mold growth is more likely as well. In addition, if you don\u2019t clean out your humidifier after shutting it off or neglect to change the filter regularly, you\u2019re asking for trouble!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Signs of Mold Growth in Humidifier<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you see a fuzzy, white, or black substance on the surface of your humidifier\u2019s tank, there\u2019s a very good chance it\u2019s mold. Even if you can\u2019t see any growth, keeping your humidifier clean is important! All that sitting humidity gets your humidifier dirty, and mold can develop. If you\u2019ve ever seen a grimy chalkboard that wasn\u2019t cleaned for a while or a pet\u2019s water bowl that wasn\u2019t washed out often, then you know how quickly organic matter can turn into something unsanitary. If previous usage has left any natural pollutants in the water, it might create an attractive environment for mold to develop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some other signs of mold that you may notice are musty smells when using your humidifier or the machine simply doesn\u2019t seem to be working as efficiently as usual. All of these could indicate that the appliance has been contaminated with mold and is no longer improving your indoor air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips to Treat Mold in a Humidifier<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s best to let the professionals at PuroClean handle large mold problems for you. If the mold and bacteria growth affects an area smaller than 10 square feet, there are some home remedies you can choose to try. Be aware \u2013 these are not the same procedures the experts would use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to take precautions with mold. Always wear proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when near suspected mold. This includes goggles\/eye protection, gloves, and an N-95 mask.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to Clean and Remove Mold from a Humidifier<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For most humidifiers, you will need to take apart the unit and clean it thoroughly and properly. This includes cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces and components. If you decide to take this route on your own, follow the steps below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hydrogen Peroxide Method<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n