Crane Cool Mist Humidifier Instructions for Cleaning

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Knowing how to clean a Crane cool mist humidifier can prevent the dispersal of bacteria, mold, and other allergens in your mist.

Crane is one of the best brand names in the market for comfort appliances such as humidifiers and diffusers.

But as we saw in the post we did on Crane humidifier instructions, they require care and maintenance.

Doing this will make the unit last a long time. It will also enable it to operate at maximum efficiency.

Whether you have a Crane Drop humidifier or one of their bigger models, the instructions in this short guide will help you.

How to clean your Crane Cool Mist Humidifier

If you have dry air in your room, running a humidifier to maintain the humidity level between 30 and 50% is recommended.

Make a habit of cleaning your humidifier, and you will see any defects. This can help you know when to repair the unit or retire it and order a new one.

When you clean the cool mist humidifier, you also help it to work more efficiently and effectively.

Here is a step-by-step process for cleaning a humidifier:

1. Gather your cleaning things

You will need just a few items, as below:

White vinegar
Piece of cloth or sponge
Water
Bleach: optional

Start by looking at the humidifier instructions. In the user manual, you will find information for refilling, cleaning, transporting, storage, and troubleshooting.

2. Unplug it and separate the tank and the base

Water and electricity don’t go well together.

You can let the humidifier run out of water, or unplug it and pour the water into the sink.

Disconnect the tank from the base. It is not hard. You just need to twist the tank in an anti-clockwise direction.

This is usually indicated in the user guide, so be sure to check it out. If you do not have the user manual, you can always check the website of the manufacturer.

After unplugging the humidifier, take it to your kitchen counter near the sink. You will need a lot of water anyway. Make sure not to drop anything.

3. Remove any other add-ons

If you have been using a demineralization cartridge in the humidifier tank, remove it. Vicks humidifiers have VapoPads, so you would need to remove them. This one does not.

4. Remove and clean the filter

Cool mist humidifiers, unless they are ultrasonic, come with a filter. Get it out and clean it by placing it under running water. Be sure to expose both sides to the running water.

If your unit had gray, black, or pink slime in the tank, that’s an indication of mold. You might want to soak the filters in a white vinegar solution to kill the mold and then clean them under running water.

Air-dry the filter.

6. Cleaning the humidifier tank

Fill the tank with about 1.5 gallons of water. This could be cold or warm water. You can then add a spoonful or two of bleach (chlorine is best) to the water.

Let the solution sit in the tank for about 25 minutes. OK, some sources say 20 minutes, others say 30 minutes. It does not matter as long as it is at least 20 minutes.

I usually cap the tank and shake it after about 5 minutes. The reason for shaking the tank is so that the solution can reach all corners.

That way, you can be sure that every area of the tank has come into contact with the bleach.

Also, never let bleach mix with white vinegar. They form a poisonous gas that can even kill you.

After 25 minutes, you can empty the tank and rinse it three times with clean water.

7. Clean and rinse the base of the humidifier

Cleaning the humidifier base is very important. Disinfect it to get rid of any germs that might be there. To do that, you are going to use white vinegar.

Fill the base with undiluted vinegar, and then let it stay for about 20 minutes or more.

You should also check the base for any scales or deposits. If there are any, wipe them with a clean piece of cloth.

8. Clean the exterior of the humidifier

To complete the process of cleaning a cool mist humidifier, clean the exterior. This is simple; just wipe it.

Use a dry towel or a dry piece of cloth. At the same time, check for any stains or stuck dirt on the exterior.

If there are stains, just dip a piece of sponge or cloth in white vinegar and wipe it clean.

Assemble everything and plug it back in. Make sure there is no water on the power cord. Wipe it with a dry piece of cloth.

How often to clean the Crane cool mist humidifier

The general recommendation is once a week. But a not-so-general recommendation is to clean it as often as possible.

For instance, if you are using water that has minerals in it, you might need to clean the unit at least three times a week. This prevents the formation of scale on the walls of the tank.

Not many people use a humidifier every day for long hours. If you do, you should clean it daily. This makes it more efficient.

When you clean your unit, you get a clean mist in your space. Therefore, your health is not at risk. You can also prevent the formation of mold in the tank, which would then be dispersed with the mist.

The more often you can clean your unit, the better. If not cleaned, it can make you sick. It can lead to an increase in allergens like dust mites and fungi.

How to keep a cool-mist humidifier clean

The only way to keep any humidifier clean is by cleaning it as often as you can.

The type of water you use in the unit can also determine how clean it will stay. If you use dirty water in the unit, the filters will become dirty too fast.

Using clean water in the unit is another way to keep it clean. Instead of using tap water, use distilled water. It is clean, and it does not contain many minerals.

Keep the humidifier in a clean environment. Make sure there are no mold spores because they will get into the tank and start a colony.

If you keep the humidifier in a dusty place, grime will form inside the tank. That’s what happens when water mixes with dust.

Keep a cleaning schedule. If you use it daily, clean it daily. If a few times a week, clean it a few times a week.

How to clean crane cool mist drop shape humidifier

The Crane drop-shaped humidifier is easy to clean, as are most other small humidifiers.

It comes in two parts mainly. These are the base and the tank. To fill or empty the tank, you have to remove it from the base, turn it upside down, and remove the cap.

You should clean the tank with a white vinegar solution. Cover the tank with the cap and shake it, so the solution gets to every part.

Rinse the tank three or more times with cool tap water. Leave it to air-dry.

Next is cleaning the base. To do this, soak it in a white vinegar solution. This should kill any mold or bacteria.

You can then rinse it in clean water, and air-dry it thoroughly so that there is no moisture in the circuitry.

Recommendation for your Crane cool mist humidifier

Cool mist humidifiers do not kill germs because they do not boil water. When you know that you will not be using it in the next few days, empty the tank.

Do not leave it in storage with water because water makes a good environment for bacteria.

If you take good care of your appliances, they will take good care of you. Read the humidifier instructions for usage. You will see how to store it.

Lastly, a humidifier can fail to work properly after cleaning. This mostly happens because water drips into the circuitry.

If this happens, air-dry the unit for as long as needed, until all the water in the circuitry is gone.

How to disinfect Crane cool mist humidifier

Disinfecting the Crane cool mist humidifier can kill the bacteria and mold inside the tank. To do this, just add a few cups of water and a few spoons of white vinegar.

Tighten the cap and then shake the tank. This should get the solution to every corner of the tank. Pour this out after a few minutes, rinse thoroughly, and air-dry the tank.

Clean the demineralization cartridge if there was one in the tank, or replace it with a new one.

You might also use a few spoonfuls of bleach in a ¼-gallon of water to rinse the tank. But only use bleach alone, not with white vinegar.

Bleach kills bacteria and mold. It is very effective at disinfecting your humidifying unit.

Final thoughts

In addition to knowing how to clean a Crane cool mist humidifier, make sure it is working correctly. You don’t want to over-humidify your indoor spaces.

That could lead to mold growth. There are serious signs of mold toxicity, if you are exposed to the fungi.

It is best to clean your unit often instead of waiting for it to become too dirty. That way, the cleaning process will only take a few minutes.