10 Best Easy To Clean Humidifier Reviews – Top Picks

9. Miro Premium Cool Mist Humidifier NRO8M

InvisiPure [Newly Updated] Luna Cool Mist...

• Newly redesigned 2020 model. Easier to Fill & Clean: With its patented top-fill design & hidden water-level sensor, this ultrasonic humidifier gives you easy, total access to the entire tank, so you can fill & clean it in no time. Designed in California. Lab tested and certified BPA Free.
• Doubles as Aromatherapy Diffuser: Go ahead. Add your favorite essential oils to this versatile fine-mist humidifier. Thanks to its premium, oil-safe construction, it won't crack, leak, or corrode.
• Safer to Operate: Designed & tested for safety, your Luna portable humidifier features patented technology which only lets in water when needed, preventing leaks and other problems associated with traditional humidifiers. Light & compact... just 2.3 lbs.
• Longer Run Time, Greater Comfort: Your 3-level mist humidifier runs up to 24 hours at Low, 17 at Medium & 10 at High. Promotes easier breathing & more comfortable sleep. Helps prevent static shock.
• Virtually Silent: Some humidifiers make annoying gurgling noises as they fill with water. But, thanks to its magnetic suspension technology, your Luna humidifier diffuser is always amazingly quiet.

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Last update on 2023-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The bowl of the unit is the water tank, which has a capacity of one gallon. Interestingly, you can refill the water without having to switch off the machine.

This is great because you don’t have to interrupt the humidifying process while refilling. In addition, different power settings allow you to customize the humidity level.

The highest setting will run for 8 hours before a refill is needed, and the lowest setting can run for up to 24 hours. 

The touch panel controls are contemporary and easy to use, and the body has a color-changing capability.

You can choose for a color cycle or one continuous color, allowing you to set the room’s ambiance where you place this humidifier.

Like the InvisiPure unit, this unit has a really decorative feel compared to some other models, so you may want to consider this before deciding which humidifier to purchase.

Pros

• It can be dismantled easily for convenient cleaning
• Touch panel controls 

Cons 

• The Miro Premium Cool Mist Humidifier NRO8M is designed to be sanitary and easily washable. So you can take it apart easily and wash every surface without too much difficulty. 

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10. Pure Guardian H1510 Ultrasonic Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier

MIRO-NR08M Completely Washable Modular Sanitary...

• Sanitary washable design. Take apart easily, wash every surface. Refill the 1 gal. bowl without stopping operation. Easy top fill.
• Miro's most powerful, and most DURABLE ultrasonic mist-maker yet. Capacity: 8hr. continuous operation at max-power. 24hr at min power. 600 sq. ft. max coverage.
• Touch-panel controls. Colorful softly glowing LEDs. Cycle through the rainbow, choose a favorite color, or turn lights off.
• Opens in one motion, Easy assmbling after washing with built in magnets
• Universal (220v-110v) to 26v DC Electrical Adapter. USA 2-prong plug, UL Certified.

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Last update on 2023-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The PureGuardian Ultrasonic Warm and Cool Mist Humidifier H1510 might not look as snazzy as some more decorative models. However, it is also one of the most energy-efficient humidifiers in the market. 

Still, if you’re looking for a humidifier that will powerfully improve your atmosphere, this may be the product for you.

It includes a large water tank that can hold up to 1.5 gallons of water, and you will get an exceptionally long run of mist for this size. 

This warm and cool mist humidifier has the longest running time of any of the models reviewed here.

For a 1.5 gallon tank, it can run for up to 100 hours before needing a refill at the lowest power setting. This is four full days before you need to remember to refill it. 

This is certainly the most convenient option in running time, so if you don’t like devices that require constant attention, this will most likely be an enticing aspect of this device.

It is designed using ultrasonic technology, which results in a unit that runs more quietly than some evaporative mist humidifiers.

Its silver clean protection design resists mold growth and mildew on the inside casing of the unit, making cleaning and maintenance easier.

Pros

• Large water tank
• Silver Clean Protection

Cons  

• Not aesthetically pleasing

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Easiest To Clean Humidifiers Buying Guide

So, you’ve decided to purchase a humidifier. And you’ve also decided that you want one that’s high-performing and easy to clean.

This guide looks at several considerations to keep in mind when shopping for this type of humidifier. 

Benefits of a Humidifier for your Home

Up to 50% of the skin is water. Therefore, when the air around the house lacks humidity (water), the skin becomes dry, causing a range of health problems. 

This is especially true in the cold weather when humidity levels drop naturally. In an ideal scenario, indoor humidity should be around 45%. But, cold air has a feeble capacity to hold moisture.

So, when the cold season sets in, humidity levels drop to as low as 15% or even less. Such low humidity can affect your health, home, and comfort in several ways. 

That’s where a humidifier comes in. The best humidifiers are designed in such a way that they add just enough moisture into the indoor air to raise indoor humidity to the required 45% to 50%.

The following are some ways this boost in humidity can benefit you, your family, and your home;

• Disease Prevention 

The upper part of the human respiratory system, including the throat and nose, is lined with moist membranes.

You may not know that the primary role of these membranes is to capture dust, dirt, viruses, and bacteria so that these harmful elements don’t reach your lungs.

When the membranes lose too much water owing to a dry environment, they lose their ability to capture small particles.

For this reason, you must maintain the right indoor humidity. Otherwise, your respiratory system membranes won’t function optimally, which can be preventable viral and bacterial infections, among other health issues.

• Prevent Nasal Problems

Dry air can also cause another uncomfortable and unpleasant symptom – itchy nasal passages.

The nasal passage is also made of a moist lining. Under normal humidity, breathing is easy and effortless because this moist lining is working optimally. Under low humidity, however, the nasal lining becomes dry.

This won’t make it difficult to pull air in through the nose, but you’ll begin to feel a little discomfort while doing so. In some instances, you might even feel some pain within the nose.

Indoor humidification doesn’t just solve this problem but also prevents other nasal issues associated with low humidity, such as nose bleeds, headaches, and sinus pressure.

Also, humidification can relieve stuffed noses. Moist air helps keep the mucus flowing, thus reducing the chances of a stuffed nose. 

• Stop Spread of Flu Germs

A recent study by the National Academy of Sciences shows a strong correlation between dry conditions and survival and transmission of influenza (flu) virus.

According to the survey, when the air’s amount dirty, the flu virus can survive for a longer time and even spreads faster. 

The report concludes that, aside from healthy habits such as washing your hands as often as you can and disinfecting areas in your home often touched by others, another step you can take to stop these germs is humidifying your rooms.

A sufficiently humid space creates a less favorable environment for the survival and spreading of the virus.

• Benefits to the Skin

Home humidification also comes with a plethora of benefits to the skin. We’ve already mentioned that up to 50% of the skin is water.

To maintain healthy, soft skin, you need sufficient moisture in the air to balance the moisture in the skin. In the absence of this balance, the skin begins to lose its moisture to the surrounding.

This can quickly result in tight, dry, itchy, and flaky skin. The skin on the hands is particularly vulnerable because it has the least amount of oil glands.

Lips, owing to the delicate nature of the skin found there, are also easily affected. That’s why, under dry conditions, the lips are usually the first to show signs of dehydration.

Lotions and chapstick can be used as a short-term solution in these situations. But, if you want to avoid dry, itchy skin, humidification is vital.

• Prevent Damage to your Home and Furniture

 When the air is dry, it will dry to absorb moisture from wherever it can find it. You might not believe it, but this often means that, during the winter months, the air in your home can try to suck the moisture in the building itself.

As the air from the structure is sucked out, you’ll notice the floors, especially hardwood floors, cracking more. 

The same applies to wood finishing and wooden items in the home, such as furniture.

Dry air in the home can suck some moisture in these parts, leaving your door frames to shift and furniture to bend and crack.

Musical instruments can also close shape and paper items such as books that could be left brittle, warped, and wrinkled. Again, natural humidification during the dry months can help alleviate this problem. 

Other benefits 

Finally, humidifiers can also help you fight static electricity, illness symptoms, and snoring, boost indoor warmth and aid indoor plant growth.  

Why is it Important to Keep your Humidifier Clean?

Unfortunately, the benefits listed above can only be achieved with a clean, properly functioning humidifier.

If you want the humidifier to help you fight indoor germs and diseases, the appliance must be clean and optimally functioning.

A dirty, ill-maintained humidifier will not only be unable to inject sufficient moisture into your indoor air.

Still, it will also likely introduce dirt and dust into your interiors, putting you and your family at an increased risk of infections. And, if you thought you’re on the safe side, think twice.

Three years ago, Good Morning America collected ten humidifiers from Philadelphia-area families for checking at the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

The test was for mold and bacteria in the water tank and the moisture emitted by the humidifier.

Guess what – all the ten humidifiers contained some level of bacteria in the water tank, with two containing high amounts of bacteria growing inside the tank. Three of the humidifier also had mold!

Let’s break down the health risks associated with different types of humidifiers if you don’t clean the appliance as recommended;

• Ultrasonic humidifiers 

Ultrasonic humidifiers produce moisture through ultrasonic vibration.

When these humidifiers aren’t cleaned, the main concern is that the minerals in the water, especially tap water, can get dissolved and released into your home in the form of white dust.

The sad truth is that pretty much all ultrasonic humidifiers produce this white dust. However, some produce a lot of it, and you’re likely to see even more dust from a humidifier that hasn’t been cleaned for an extended period. 

This dust, which most people are quick to dismiss as harmless, isn’t safe for you, especially young children.

For example, in one study conducted at the University of Utah, an infant was found to have contracted severe lung injury because of this white dust.

Some of the medical conditions discovered in infants and directly related to the white ash included; tachypnea, prolonged hypoxemia, pneumonitis, and mild nonreversible obstructive ventilator effect.

Aside from the white dust, bacteria and mold can also accumulate inside an ultrasonic humidifier if the unit is properly maintained.

This mold and bacteria could then be pumped out of the humidifier and into your indoor air together with moisture, exposing anyone who breathes such air to allergies, flu, and many other health problems.

• Vaporizer humidifiers 

While the risk of breathing mold and bacteria decreases when using a vaporizer humidifier, the potential danger comes from the fact that warm moisture creates an excellent breeding condition for microorganisms. 

Mold and bacteria need warmth and moisture to grow, and a vaporizer humidifier produces both in just the right quantities.

The problem worsens if the unit remains unmaintained for an extended period. Humidifiers contain water in a tank, with some of the water in a tray inside the unit.

If this water isn’t drained and replaced regularly with fresh water, mold, bacteria, and other microorganisms can begin growing inside the humidifier.

These microorganisms can then be blown into your rooms together with warm moisture. 

To prevent the risk of mold growth inside the house and microorganism growth inside the tank, the humidifier should be emptied every day and thoroughly cleaned at least once every two weeks.

• Evaporative humidifiers 

Finally, evaporative humidifiers aren’t safe either. Though they use a wick filter to sieve minerals and other particles from the water, a few risks persist when the appliances aren’t properly maintained.

As with other humidifiers, the water tank and water tray are the first two culprits. These two vessels need to be emptied regularly and refilled with fresh, clean water.

Otherwise, mold and bacteria can begin growing inside your humidifier. Another even more pressing issue is the wick filter. The wick filter lies at the heart of the vaporizer humidifier.

It performs two of the most critical tasks in the humidifier; drawing water up so the water can be put under pressure by air to release moisture and filter out unwanted elements such as minerals.

If the wick isn’t appropriately maintained, therefore, both these functions are compromised. A dirty filter, for instance, can harbor bacteria and mold.

It might also not work well to prevent harmful minerals from entering the indoor air. 

How to Clean your Humidifier; a Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you understand the importance of keeping your unit clean and in top shape, let’s learn how to clean and maintain a humidifier.

What you need

Each type of humidifier is constructed differently, but the cleaning tools and supplies are the same. They are;

• White vinegar
• Bleach or hydrogen peroxide
• A soft-bristled brush
• Clean towels
• Gloves and goggles
• Plenty of water

The step-by-step cleaning process 

1.Take apart the humidifier.

The first step is to switch off the humidifier and unplug it from the electric socket. Never clean the appliance while it’s plugged. Once you’ve unplugged it, disassemble it.

You’ll need to refer to your user manual for this step.

We recommend removing and emptying the water tank first, depending on the model, unlatching, or unlocking other removable parts from the base. Set all the parts on a solid working surface for ease of recognition.

If your humidifier uses a filter, remove it as well. Then, the filter can be cleaned separately using fresh running water.

2. Clean the base

Pour some of the white vinegar into the base, making sure to fill all the areas that usually contact water.

Meanwhile, you also want to place the smaller but washable parts of the humidifier into a separate container and add vinegar until all these parts are covered.

Then, wait for 30 minutes as the vinegar works its magic. After 30 minutes, much of the dirt and grime will have soaked up and become soft. 

Use the soft brush to scrub away any stuck-on residue. You may need smaller brushes to reach corners and other hard-to-reach areas.

3. Disinfect the tank

Disinfecting the water tank is a little more demanding. Mix one gallon of water with one teaspoonful of liquid chlorine bleach.

Then, pour ½ to ¾ of the resulting mixture into the water tank and swish so the liquid can reach every corner of the tank.

If the humidifier has more than one tank, do the same for each tank. Some brands recommend using 3% hydrogen peroxide instead of bleach.

When you’re done, place the tank in the humidifier base and allow 15 to 20 minutes for the bleach solution to drain into the reservoir. Then, rinse the tank thoroughly with clean water until the smell of vinegar is no more.

4. Clean the base

After step three above, you’ll find significant amounts of the bleach solution in the reservoir inside the base. Once the tank has drained completely, it’s time to clean the base.

Don’t use bleach or vinegar here. Instead, use only clean water. Fill the base with the water and shake vigorously to dislodge any trapped elements. 

Remember that it might take a few rounds of rinsing for the smell of vinegar to come out. So that should be the target.

5. Dry the parts and reassemble the humidifier 

Once you’re done with step four, set all the parts out to dry atop your fresh towels. To completely get rid of any lingering smells, ensure to give them enough time to dry fully. This might take up to 20 minutes.

Then, you can now put the parts back together. If the unit uses a filter, don’t forget to replace the filter as necessary.

When you’re done, refill the unit with clean mineral-free water, and, with that, you’re ready to enjoy uninterrupted humidification once again!

Regular Maintenance and Usage Tips

Besides learning how to clean your humidifier, it’s also essential that you learn how to properly use the appliance to avoid frequent breakdowns and prolong the unit’s life.

The following maintenance tips and best practices are recommended;

• Rinse the water tray before the next use

Before you switch ON the humidifier for the day, take a moment to empty the water in the tank and water tray and rinse the tray.

This is the first step to cleaning out any lingering mold or bacteria in the tank/tray. It also cleans out any minerals to prevent build-up. After rinsing, refill the tank with clean water. 

• Deep clean once a week

We’ve discussed how to deep-clean your humidifier. Make sure to perform a deep clean once every week during seasons where you use the appliance daily.

You can clean it once every two weeks for seasons where you only use the machine twice or thrice a week. 

• Always refill with distilled water.

A good number of people refill their humidifiers with tap water.

This isn’t ideal as tap water contains minerals. If using a humidifier with a filter, these minerals can block the filter, causing performance issues.

Minerals in the humidifier can also be dispersed into the indoor air together with moisture, putting people who inhale the air at risk of health problems. Soft water is also not recommended as it contains chemicals.

• Change filters as appropriate.

If your humidifier users a wick filter, that filer needs to be replaced per the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Ideally, you want to clean the filter after a couple of uses for the first few weeks, but all filers must be discarded after three months.

• Clean and drain before storage.

At the end of the heating season, when you’re storing the humidifier until the next season, drain, then deep-clean it and allow all the parts to dry before storing it.

Also, if using a humidifier with a wick filter, remove the filter and toss it away. It’s safer for you to start the next heating season with a brand new wick filter.

You may also enjoy reading the best top-fill humidifier. 

Wrap Up

The best easy to clean humidifier makes your life a lot easier, so it’s understandable why the cleaning process is one of the various factors determining your humidifier purchase.

Now that you’ve considered the reviewed products above, you’ll be better equipped to make the final decision regarding which humidifier will be the best choice for both you and your family.