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Humidifier wick dries out fast — check the room size and setting

Humidifier wick

Is your humidifier wick drying out in hours? The unit may be too small for the room, or the setting too high. Here is what to check.

Illustration of an evaporative humidifier sitting level with water reaching both ends of the wick
Photo: CoraCo Studio™ original (generated)

A humidifier wick that is dry and crunchy by morning usually means the tank empties fast. That points to a large room, a high setting or very dry winter air.

Why the wick dries out so fast

  1. Check the room size on the box against the room you use it in.
  2. Close the door to the room so the moisture stays in.
  3. Fill the tank fully at night and check the water level in the morning.
  4. Turn the fan down one step if it runs empty every night.
  5. Replace the wick if it is stiff or crusty, since minerals slow how it wicks.

Never run the unit with an empty tank for long, and unplug it before you lift the wick out.

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