Question About Using Vinegar In A Humidifier

RE: Question About Using Vinegar In A Humidifier Post By Heather (Guest Post) (03/04/2008) Can I add vinegar to the water while the humidifier is in use? To keep from lime build up. If so, how often? every time I fill it? And how much? Report Spam or Abuse RE: Question About Vinegar Post By NurseBob (Guest Post) (12/25/2004) Electric humidifiers work by running a set of electrodes encased inside a plastic safety shield. The electricity passes through the water, heating it and creating steam. With time, the electrodes lime up with thick crusty deposits and become less and less effective at producing steam. The maximum possible concentration of laboratory Acetic Acid (vinegar) is 37%. That's as pure as it gets. However, in that concentration, you wouldn't want to work with it around the house. You would need a chemical lab background and safety equipment to work with this stuff. Ordinary household vinegar, the kind you buy at the supermarket, will dissolve any calcium and lime deposits in a humidifier if allowed to soak for 24 hours to do its work. Add about 1 cup of household vinegar to the humidifier, then fill with hot water. Use in a well ventilated area because you're going to be producing some stinky gases. Rinse the humidifier after use, and inspect for loose chunks of lime deposits that may have come loose but not dissolved. (Hope I don't have to mention to be SURE to unplug the humidifier while all this is going on.) Report Spam or Abuse RE: Question About Vinegar Post By (Guest Post) (12/23/2004) The manufacturer just means that you need to use the vinegar straight from the bottle and not add any of your own water or water in the humidifier. There couldn't be anything that would hold 100% undiluted vinegar - it's high acidity would eat through anything! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Question About Vinegar Post By Beth (Guest Post) (12/23/2004) Not sure what the instructions mean by "undiluted" other than "do not add water". You should be able to find 9% pickling vinegar in your supermarket. Some plant nurseries carry 20% vinegar that is used to make pest contol mixtures for organic gardeners. Any strength greater than that would be dangereous to use and even 9% should not be accessible to children. Beth Report Spam or Abuse RE: Question About Vinegar Post by ThriftyFun (3768) | (12/23/2004) Profile | Blog! | Contact Hi Clara, I think you just use the bottled vinegar full strength. All vinegar that is sold in stores is about 5% acidity. It should work to descale your humidifier. Susan from ThriftyFun Report Spam or Abuse