Why Does My Humidifier Smell – 8 Possible Causes

Why does my humidifier smell? The most common cause of a smelly humidifier is a buildup of bacteria and mold in the unit. 

This can happen if the humidifier isn’t cleaned regularly. Or if it’s used with water that isn’t clean, to begin with.

All 8 Reasons Why Does My Humidifier Smell

When a humidifier smells, there could be many reasons. Some are due to our carelessness, while the humidifier causes others. 

Let’s explore all the possibilities:

1. Bacteria and Mold:

Bacteria and mold grow in humid conditions. Thus, it is the most common reason your humidifier smells. 

If you don’t clean your humidifier, the water starts to stagnate and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. 

These microorganisms release foul odors that make the humidifier stink.

For instance, the Pseudomonas bacteria produce a musty smell. And the black mold Stachybotrys gives off a sweet yet poisonous smell.

2. Dust:

If you live in an area with a lot of dust, likely, your humidifier will eventually start to smell like dust. 

When the humidifier is turned on, the fan pulls dust from the surrounding air. It traps it inside the unit. And the dust buildup makes the humidifier stink.

Dust mites are another common cause of musty smells in humidifiers. These tiny creatures thrive in humid conditions. 

They feed on the dust trapped inside the humidifier. And they release a foul odor that makes the humidifier smell musty.

3. Hard Water:

Hard water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. 

When water with high mineral content is in a humidifier, the minerals can build up inside the unit. 

This can make the humidifier smell sour. And it can also cause the humidifier to stop working correctly.

Hard water also contains high levels of chlorine. When chlorine is heated, it releases a strong chemical smell. 

This can make the humidifier smell like a swimming pool.

4. Poor Quality Filters:

If the filters in your humidifier are old or of poor quality, they can cause the humidifier to smell bad. 

Filters are of different materials like paper, activated carbon, and polypropylene. 

Over time, these materials can break down and release particles into the air.

Filters are to remove impurities from the water. But if they’re old or of poor quality, they can’t do their job correctly. 

As a result, the humidifier will start to stink. And the quality of the air will suffer.

5. Poor Quality Water:

Hard water and poor quality water, in general, can make your humidifier stink. 

If the water is full of impurities, it will start to stagnate and produce foul odors. 

In addition, the impurities can build up inside the humidifier and damage it.

For instance, if the water is full of h2s, it can make the humidifier smell like rotten eggs. 

6. Soap Scum:

If you use soap in your humidifier, it can leave behind a film of soap scum. 

Soap scum consists of water, soap, and minerals. And it can make the humidifier smell.

Soap scum can also clog the filters and damage the humidifier. And it can make the air quality worse too.

We usually use soap to clean our humidifiers. But if we don’t rinse the humidifier properly, the soap scum can make it stink.

7. Smoking:

If you smoke cigarettes, the humidifier can start to smell like smoke. 

When you smoke, the nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes release into the air. 

And when the humidifier is on, the fan pulls in these chemicals and traps them inside the unit. 

As a result, the humidifier starts to smell like smoke.

Smoking is the leading cause of smoky smells in humidifiers. But other things like burning candles and incense can also make the humidifier stink.

8. VOCs:

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals released into the air. 

They can come from things like paint, cleaning supplies, and air fresheners. 

When the humidifier is on, the VOCs can get pulled into the unit and trapped inside. 

And this can make the humidifier stink. VOCs are harmful to your health. And they can also damage the humidifier. So it’s essential to remove them from the air.

Here are all the possible causes of why your humidifier smells. Now you know what to do to fix the problem. 

If you can’t figure out what’s causing the smell, we recommend taking the humidifier to a professional. 

They can clean the humidifier and remove the source of the smell.

9 Ways To Get Rid Of Humidifier Smell

If your humidifier smells, you can do a few things to get rid of the smell. 

Apart from taking it to a professional, you can also clean the humidifier yourself. 

Here are some tips on how to clean a humidifier and get

1. Clean The Humidifier Regularly:

It would help if you cleaned the humidifier at least once a week. If you use it more often, you may need to clean it more often. 

Cleaning the humidifier will remove the buildup of impurities and prevent mold and bacteria growth. 

It will also help to extend the life of the humidifier. And it will make the air quality better.

2. Use Distilled Water:

If you use tap water in your humidifier, it can cause the humidifier to stink. 

Tap water contains minerals and other impurities that can accumulate inside the humidifier. 

To prevent this from happening, use distilled water instead. Distilled water is free of impurities and will help keep the humidifier clean.

You can get distilled water from the supermarket or make it yourself. 

Recipe of homemade distilled water:

Ingredients: 

– 1 gallon of water

– 1 clean, empty gallon container

Directions: 

Boil the water for about 15 minutes. Pour the boiling water into the clean, empty container. 

Leave the lid off and allow the water to cool completely. The impurities will be there, and you will have distilled water.

3. Change The Filters:

If your humidifier has filters, change them regularly. Over time, the filters can become clogged with impurities. 

And this can make the humidifier stink. To prevent this from happening, change the filters every few months. 

If you don’t have a filter, you can use a coffee filter or a piece of cheesecloth. 

They are not as effective as the filters, but they will help keep the humidifier clean.

4. Use White Vinegar:

White vinegar is a natural disinfectant that can help remove the buildup of impurities. 

To clean the humidifier with white vinegar, fill the tank with a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 3 parts water. 

Let the solution soak in the humidifier for about 30 minutes. Then, empty the tank and rinse it with clean water. 

It will remove the impurities and make the humidifier smell fresh. And it’s a natural way to clean the humidifier.

5. Use Baking Soda:

Baking soda is another natural way to clean the humidifier. To clean the humidifier with baking soda, make a paste of 1 part baking soda and 2 parts water. 

Rub the paste onto the inside of the humidifier tank. Let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then, rinse the tank with clean water. 

Baking soda has natural cleansing properties. Not only will it clean the humidifier thoroughly, but it will also make it smell good as new.

6. Use Hydrogen Peroxide:

Hydrogen peroxide is a natural disinfectant. To clean the humidifier with hydrogen peroxide, fill the tank with a solution of

– 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 

– 2 parts water. 

Let the solution soak in the humidifier for about 30 minutes. Then, empty the tank and rinse it with clean water. 

You can also use hydrogen peroxide to clean the humidifier filter. It will give off a fresh smell, and it will also disinfect the filter. 

7. Use Fruits:

Fruits such as lemons, oranges, and limes have a fresh smell. Lemons are a natural disinfectant that can help remove the buildup of impurities. 

To clean the humidifier with fruits, fill the tank with a solution of 1 part fruit juice and 3 parts water. 

Fruits give off a fresh smell, and it will also disinfect the humidifier.

8. Use Essential Oils:

Essential oils are a natural way to make the humidifier smell good. To use essential oils, add a few drops of oil to the water in the humidifier tank. 

Essential oils such as lavender, lemongrass, and tea tree oil have antibacterial properties. 

Or you can add a few drops of oil to the cotton balls and put them in the humidifier. 

The essential oils will make the humidifier smell good, and they will also help to purify the air.

9. Air Freshener:

One way to make the humidifier smell good is to use an air freshener. Air fresheners come in various scents, which can help make the humidifier smell good. 

To use an air freshener, add a few drops of the air freshener to the water in the humidifier tank.

But make sure you don’t use too much. You don’t want the air freshener to be overwhelming.

So, those are some ways to make the humidifier smell good. Try them out and see which one works best for you.

Conclusion:

If your humidifier smells, there can be many reasons. The most common cause is not cleaning the humidifier properly.

You can use white vinegar, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide to clean the humidifier.

You can also use essential oils or an air freshener to make the humidifier smell good. 

By using these methods, you can keep your humidifier clean and fresh-smelling.