Skip to content
Cha ching queen living a big life on a little budget.
  • DIYExpand
    • Clean Quickly
    • Clever Hacks With Household Items
    • Crafts & Projects
    • Home Improvement
  • Money MattersExpand
    • Make More Money
    • Spend Less Money
    • Manage Money Better
    • Reviews & Recommendations
    • Get Free Stuff
  • Eat WellExpand
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch & Dinner
    • Appetizers, Sides, & Snacks
    • Desserts
    • Food Talk
  • Live LifeExpand
    • Health & Beauty
    • Cloth Diapering
    • Family And Relationships
    • Holidays & Gifts
  • Travel TipsExpand
    • Destinations
    • Attractions
    • Travel Hacks
  • About
  • Subscribe
Cha ching queen living a big life on a little budget.
ByGreg Wilson, CFA Updated onJuly 23, 2024 Reading Time: 4 minutes
Home » DIY » Green Cleaning » The Ultimate Guide To Descaling A Humidifier

The Ultimate Guide To Descaling A Humidifier

This post may contain affiliate links. Read the disclosure.

Share with your friends!
FacebookPinterestMessengerWhatsAppEmailShareFlipboardRedditSMSX

When it comes to maintaining a healthy and comfortable indoor environment, a humidifier can be your best friend. But like any appliance, it requires regular maintenance to perform optimally.

One of the key steps is descaling, or removing hard water buildup inside the machine. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process step-by-step.

This guide will focus on cleaning a Honeywell Humidifier because that is our favorite, but it will work for any model.

We Use This!
Honeywell HWM-705B HWM705B Filter Free Warm Moisture Humidifier, Black

We have three young kids, and a generally dry house. So we love this humidifier. It warms the water, and it has a really big tank so we don't need to change the water as often as the smaller ones we used to have.

Honeywell HWM-705B HWM705B Filter Free Warm Moisture Humidifier, Black
Buy Now

Table of Contents

  • Why is Descaling Important?
  • How to Descale Your Humidifier
  • Bonus Tip 1: Ketchup!
  • Bonus Tip 2: Dishwasher To descale humidifier
  • Frequently Asked Questions: How To Descale A Humidifier
  • Descale Your Humidifier
  • Next Up From ChaChingQueen

Why is Descaling Important?

Hard water buildup in a humidifier is caused by mineral deposits that accumulate over time. These minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium, can clog your humidifier, reducing its efficiency and lifespan.

More importantly, they can be dispersed into your air, which may lead to respiratory issues.

To prevent these problems, it’s important to descale your humidifier regularly. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Soft-bristled brush
  • Clean cloth
  • White distilled vinegar

Related:

  • Be Prepared for Any Mess by Keeping This Cleaning Kit On-Hand!
  • How to Clean Keurig Coffee Maker – Easy & Quick Video Tutorials

To save more time and money, subscribe to our newsletter.

How to Descale Your Humidifier

Step 1: Unplug and Empty the Humidifier

For safety reasons, always unplug the humidifier before cleaning. Then, empty any remaining water from the tank or reservoir.

Step 2: Vinegar Soak

Fill the water tank with 1-2 cups of undiluted white vinegar. Swish it around to ensure it coats the entire interior. This will help break down the mineral deposits.

Our Daily All Purpose Cleaner
Force of Nature Natural Cleaner & Disinfectant - Force of Nature

As parents of 3 little kids, Force of Nature is our go-to all purpose cleaner. It's nontoxic but is EPA approved for use against Covid-19.


We love vinegar, but we use Force of Nature every day.

Force of Nature Natural Cleaner & Disinfectant - Force of Nature
Get Your ChaChingQueen Discount Now
Our Full Review

Fill the tank with a 1:1 ratio of white vinegar and water for a deeper clean. If there are parts that vinegar can’t reach, soak them in a bowl of vinegar.

Related:

  • 50+ Uses for Vinegar – Home, office, car, garden, beauty, health, and pets
  • How Often Should You Clean Your Kitchen Appliances? – Experts Weigh In

Step 3: Let it Soak

Let it sit overnight. This allows the vinegar enough time to dissolve the minerals. Shake the tank periodically to agitate the solution and aid the cleaning process.

Step 4: Scrub if Needed

If there are still stubborn deposits after soaking, use a soft-bristled brush (like a toothbrush) to gently scrub them away.

Step 5: Rinse Thoroughly

Pour out the vinegar solution and rinse the tank until no vinegar smell remains. It’s important to rinse thoroughly to remove all vinegar, as residual vinegar could end up being dispersed into your air.

Step 6: Dry Completely

Allow the humidifier to completely dry before refilling and using it. This prevents the growth of mold and bacteria.

Bonus Tip 1: Ketchup!

Sometimes, vinegar might not be enough to remove the toughest mineral deposits. In such cases, ketchup can be a surprising but effective solution. Its acidic nature helps dissolve the buildup.

Apply a small amount of ketchup to the hard-to-clean area, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub gently and rinse thoroughly.

use ketchup to descale
Ketchup To Descale

Bonus Tip 2: Dishwasher To descale humidifier

While you are descaling your humidifier, why not clean the rest of your humidifier? It’s easy. Just take all the parts that do not have electrical components, and run them in the dishwasher.

Clean Humidifier

Related: How to Clean Your Dishwasher With Vinegar Or Cleaning Tablet

To save more time and money, subscribe to our newsletter.

Frequently Asked Questions: How To Descale A Humidifier

To wrap up our guide, let’s address some commonly asked questions about descaling humidifiers:

Q: How often should I descale my humidifier?

A: Most manufacturers recommend cleaning your humidifier every one to two weeks, depending on usage and water hardness.

Q: Can I use something other than vinegar to descale my humidifier?

A: Yes, as mentioned above, ketchup can be used due to its acidity. Commercial descaling products are also available.

Q: Can I prevent mineral buildup in my humidifier?

A: Using distilled or demineralized water in your humidifier can significantly reduce mineral buildup.

Descale Your Humidifier

Remember, regular maintenance, including descaling, can prolong the life of your humidifier and ensure it provides clean, healthy moisture to your home. Happy descaling!

Next Up From ChaChingQueen

  • Never Miss a Spot Again: The Complete Cleaning Checklist
  • 18+ DIY Household Products You Can Make at Home
  • Best Ways To Remove Stains From Clothes
  • How to Improve the Energy Efficiency of your Home HVAC 
  • How To Clean Stainless Steel: Complete Guide Including Do’s & Don’ts
Our Daily All Purpose Cleaner
Force of Nature Natural Cleaner & Disinfectant - Force of Nature

As parents of 3 little kids, Force of Nature is our go-to all purpose cleaner. It's nontoxic but is EPA approved for use against Covid-19.


We love vinegar, but we use Force of Nature every day.

Force of Nature Natural Cleaner & Disinfectant - Force of Nature
Get Your ChaChingQueen Discount Now
Our Full Review

Trending Now

How Often Should You Clean Your House: Woman Cleaning Oven

How Often Should You Clean Your House? Room By Room Tips

Woman Doing Laundry Using Earth Breeze Laundry Sheets

Earth Breeze Review: Dehydrated Laundry Sheets

amazon prime box

My Secrets: How To Get Amazon Coupons, Discount Codes, Promo Codes, Free Stuff, and Deals

Text reads: "18 DIY Homemade Household Products you can easily make at home" in colorful handwritten-style font on a dark background.

18+ DIY Household Products You Can Make at Home

Amazon Gift Card

How To Save On Amazon Prime Membership + Prime Benefits

What To Teach Kids About Money

What To Teach Kids About Money: An Expert Weighs In

As Seen On
bloomberg logo
business insider logo
msn logo
usa today logo
family handy man logo
yahoo finance logo

  • Home
  • About
  • Press
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Disclosure and Terms of Service
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Web Stories
Email Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest

© 2025

ChaChingQueen does not provide individual or customized medical, legal, or financial advice. Since each individual's situation is unique, a qualified professional should be consulted about your specific situation before making financial and/or medical decisions.

Cha Ching Queen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

  • DIY
    • Clean Quickly
    • Clever Hacks With Household Items
    • Crafts & Projects
    • Home Improvement
  • Money Matters
    • Make More Money
    • Spend Less Money
    • Manage Money Better
    • Reviews & Recommendations
    • Get Free Stuff
  • Eat Well
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch & Dinner
    • Appetizers, Sides, & Snacks
    • Desserts
    • Food Talk
  • Live Life
    • Health & Beauty
    • Cloth Diapering
    • Family And Relationships
    • Holidays & Gifts
  • Travel Tips
    • Destinations
    • Attractions
    • Travel Hacks
  • About
  • Subscribe
Facebook X Instagram
Search
Share to
BufferCopyEmailFacebookFlipboardHacker NewsLineLinkedInMessengerMixPinterestPocketPrintRedditSMSSubscribeTelegramTumblrXVKWhatsAppXingYummly