Humidifier

[sweety314]

Quickie question:

I've got TropicAire humidifiers on Freddie's, Kishnah's, and Oreo's homes. Judging by the appearance, it's time to clean (?) them. Do I need to? I'm thinking of using the chlorhexidine like I clean everything else, but I'm thinking that won't be potent enough for the plastic sponge piece. I know if I use bleach I'll have to rinse thoroughly and then let it aerate.

Are they sources of harmful bacteria? How often do they need to be cleaned?

SEARCH provides different % humidity threads, but nothing really pertaining to cleaning HUMIDIFIERS.


TIA for the help.


RuLyn

[tigerlily]

Yeah, the humidifiers can be a source of bacteria. I would try and disinfect anything I could get to, with the chlorhex, including the tubing. Do you still have the manual that comes with it?

[Evan Jamison]

On top of regular cleanings, I use a bacteriostat every time I fill up the reservoir. I'm not sure what kind of humidifier a tropicaire is, but a bacteriostat should work as long as it's not a heat-vapor type.


-Evan

[sweety314]

Evan,


Is there some specific product or agent that you use as the bacteriostat???? All I've done in the past is to scrub and clean when it looks like it's getting slimy, and I have a feeling that even tho' the vet didn't agree, the humidifier MAY have contributed to Snoopy's illness. I don't know the best way to clean the sponge in the middle. Hmmmmmmm

I used Repti-Safe treated water in them but only clean about 1/6 wks. Since you've said you clean every fill, but it takes mine about 2+ months to need more water.

< Love your site. Looking forward to your terms and how to contact you for babies. >

Thanks for the help guys.

RuLyn

[Evan Jamison]

Evan,


Is there some specific product or agent that you use as the bacteriostat???? All I've done in the past is to scrub and clean when it looks like it's getting slimy, and I have a feeling that even tho' the vet didn't agree, the humidifier MAY have contributed to Snoopy's illness. I don't know the best way to clean the sponge in the middle. Hmmmmmmm

I used Repti-Safe treated water in them but only clean about 1/6 wks. Since you've said you clean every fill, but it takes mine about 2+ months to need more water.

< Love your site. Looking forward to your terms and how to contact you for babies. >

Thanks for the help guys.

RuLyn

Sorry about the tardy response. You can buy a bacteriostat at home depot lowes etc. It looks something like this. It should be by the humidifiers, and a 5 dollar bottle should last you quite a while. I use a console humidifier and humidify the whole room. To keep my humidity at 60-65%, I refill the 4 gallon reservoir every 4-5 days (dang desert climate ), so I go through a fair amount of bacteriostat. I"m still not sure what kind of humidifier you have, but I would say if the "sponge in the middle" is tough to reach, just bleach the entire thing for 10-15 min, and rinse very well with hot water. That'll kill the nasties. Anyway, hope this helps.

-Evan

[sweety314]

thanks for the information c. the bacteriostat product. It's not that the sponge is "hard to reach" but rather w/the CELLS of it the surface would be difficult to get clean. But I haven't tried the b-stat. I'll make it a point to clean 'em tomorrow after I've fed everybody, and see how things go.



RuLyn

P.S. I'd take the "darn desert" any day! That's what I grew up in...instead hear it's incessant rain and mildew all over EVERYTHING or moss, moss and MORE moss!

*grumble, grumble*