Humidifier wick — let it dry out on days off

Humidifier wick

Humidifier wick tip: when you will not run the humidifier for a few days, empty the tank and let the wick dry so it stays fresh and musty smells stay away.

Humidifier wick: let it dry out on days off (related household photo)
Photo: Max S em / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

A humidifier wick that sits damp in still water for days is more likely to smell musty. A short dry-out on off days keeps it fresher.

Dry the humidifier wick when you take a break

  1. If you will skip a few days, unplug the unit and empty the tank and base.
  2. Lift the wick out and stand it on a clean towel in open air.
  3. Let the base dry with the cover off.
  4. When you start again, set the wick back in, refill with fresh water, and give it a few minutes to soak.

That is the whole beat: dry breaks keep the humidifier wick from turning musty between uses.

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