Do Humidifiers Cause Mold?

Imagine you are sleeping in your room peacefully. The humidifier is running in one corner of the room. You have a good dream because of the air around you. Suddenly you wake up. You look around you and see mold everywhere—filthy and disgusting.

Your dream quickly turns into a nightmare witnessing this sight. Either you have a fascination for folds, or otherwise, you will indeed feel panicked by it.

Humidifiers can make our surroundings much more comfortable by adding moisture to the air. But it has some disadvantages as well if used incorrectly.

Do Humidifiers Cause Mold?

Yes, humidifiers can cause mold if used excessively.

Humidifiers have tons of benefits. But when you don’t maintain it the right way, even the best humidifier can cause mold to grow.

Mold is a type of fungus that we sometimes see in our homes and offices. These tiny little buggers spread like wildfires.

The main reason for their spreading is the moisture in the air. When the humidity level exceeds the standard level, it gets beneficial for the mold to grow. Usually, it is above 55 percent relative humidity.

Often we use humidifiers the wrong way. Therefore, excessive moisture helps the mold grow on walls, windows, and doors. Most humidifiers have a control humidistat for cases where you can control the humidity level. But if your humidifier doesn’t have one, the humidity level can increase without you noticing.

Another reason is being lazy. If you leave your humidifier to be dirty for a long time, it will only pump dirty air. This will, in turn, facilitate the growth of mold. Your laziness can be the reason for the growth of countless contaminants in the environment. Mold are dangerous and potentially harmful to health. So, always clean your humidifier every once in a while.

Can Humidifiers Cause Mold on Walls?

Yes, humidifiers can cause mold on walls. Mold are infectious fungi. They can spread a lot with even a tiny bit of water and moisture. Now imagine what will happen if it gets an adequate amount of moisture and wetness.

Often, you will see mold grow on the walls. Usually, the humidifier releases the mold, and then it gets to every corner of the room. Therefore, it is evident that it will get in touch with the walls and start to colonize.

How to Properly Use a Humidifier to Prevent Mold?

Humidifiers have countless advantages. It makes the air around you feel more comfortable and can prevent deadly diseases like influenza. It keeps your hair and skin moist. Having a humidifier in your home is like a blessing.

If you properly use the humidifier, it can be a source of great relief. Otherwise, it can do more harm than good. So, let’s check out some ways how you can use it to prevent mold.

Monitoring the Humidity Level

As we’ve mentioned, when the humidity level gets too high, the mold start to grow. Therefore, always keep the humidity level to a standard.

Research suggests that about 30 to 50 percent relative humidity level is perfect for homes and offices. So, always monitor it to prevent mold.

Cleaning the Humidifier

Leaving the humidifier to remain dirty for an extended period can aid in the build-up of mold and bacteria. When this microorganism builds up in the humidifier, you have some serious issues to work on. When the humidifier works, it will release all the harmful organisms into the air.

That’s why always clean the humidifier properly with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Wash and sanitize every humidifier compartment, including the filter, interior, and tank. Also, make sure that you soak out all the water from the compartments. Excess water can be beneficial in mold growth.

Try to use water with less amount of mineral content. Distilled water is the perfect water choice for humidifier. For cleaning, you can use a 3 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide. Mix it with some water to give the humidifier a thorough clean.

Eliminating Dampness Near a Humidifier

Always make sure the surface near the humidifier is dry. If too much moisture is near the humidifier, mold will slowly start to build up. It will soon spread to walls, windows, and anything it encounters.

One good technique is to keep the surfaces of your room dry. Don’t let surfaces become wet. You can also reduce the frequency of humidifier use. This will help the humidity stay at an adequate level. Another option is to turn your air conditioning system so that the moisture doesn’t increase too much.

How to Remove Existing Mold Caused by a Humidifier?

It might already be too late when you read this article. The mold might have already started infecting your room. Don’t get panicked. You can easily remove the existing mold that is caused by the humidifier.

The first thing is never to use tap water to clean the mold. Use distilled or sterilized water. Take some hydrogen peroxide and dilute it properly in distilled water. You can use vinegar as well. Clean the existing mold thoroughly without leaving any marks.

For severe stains of mold, use bleach. It will kill the mold and prevent mold from growing further.

Final Thoughts

When we purchase an appliance, we often don’t read the instructions properly. We use it as we want, and at the end of the day, it causes trouble. Manufacturers make millions of humidifiers every year to relieve people’s pain.

But you are letting it cause problems by not maintaining and cleaning it. When you maintain your humidifier correctly, it will turn your home into a paradise. Otherwise, it can make your home into a spooky horror room full of deadly mold.