Mold on humidifier filter

[lemonora]

I opened it to clean it and refill it today, but I saw some patches of mold on the filter, I had no idea what to do so I soaked it in a little amount of vinegar and water and dish soap, just until I find answers on the net, I remember that mold is dangerous for birds, any ideas please? On how to clean it, so that it’s safe to use around our birds again?
I appreciate all your help

[tweetiepiesmom]

I have found the vinegar solution to be best - one part vinegar to one part water (no soap). I let it soak for 30 minutes but you probably don't need to soak that long. Then rinse a few times. Once you see the mold, you'll need to do this as routine maintenance because your air purifier is pick up the mold spores in your house - a good thing!

[lemonora]

Thank you tweetiepiesmom

[Hezz]

Because the humidifier is picking up the air in your house and filtering it, the mould isn't such a problem as if you were pumping air through the filter into the room, if you understand my difference. I would clean it as normal, rinse in a vinegar/water mix and return it to the humidifier. I wouldn't rinse the vinegar off. How often is the filter cleaned? (I have never used one, so I have no idea if once a day or once a year ) And are you sure it is mould and not simply dust particles that might have built up?? Either way, vinegar should do the trick.

[lemonora]

Thank you Hezz will do,
I’m not actually sure how often it should be cleaned (this is my first one ever) and to be honest I did neglect it for a bit :/
But I will definitely clean it once a week with vinegar from now on.
I’m 99% sure it was mold, just 2 small patches, but the vinegar soaking worked, I just rubbed it a little under water and it was gone.
I really appreciate all your input and replies

[Deleted]

I'm not sure how often mine is meant to be cleaned either. I think I'm meant to vacuum them, but the filters are all folded so I don't know how often that will work. Need to try it with the big vacuum sometime.

[tweetiepiesmom]

When I lived in Arizona (I moved to California a couple years ago) the air was so dry a humidifier made life so much more comfortable in the winter. Mine was a room sized unit and I would give it a good cleaning including the filter once a week. I think the filter picks up the mold spores from the air and they grow in the moist environment in the humidifier. It seemed to me that once I saw the mold, if I didn't stay on top of it it would get out of control. I did end up replacing the filter once. Cleaning once a week was perfect for mine. Good luck with it!

[lemonora]

Thanks tweetiepiesmom I will do the same, (once a week) 👍

[lemonora]

Jan 16, 2020 9:12:47 GMT @sillycat84 said:

I'm not sure how often mine is meant to be cleaned either. I think I'm meant to vacuum them, but the filters are all folded so I don't know how often that will work. Need to try it with the big vacuum sometime.

I think it needs a wash as well , I never tried to vacuum it, 
but then again, it’s my first one