How To Clean Demineralization Cartridges: Don’t Replace It Just Yet!

In this article, we shall explore how to clean demineralization cartridges for your humidifier.

In the past, we looked at how to stop humidifier white dust. If you use ultrasonic humidifiers, you will definitely have to deal with white dust.

Although humidifier white dust is not harmful to your health, it is an irritant all the same.

We also said that water with minerals causes humidifier dust. The good news is that the solution is using a demineralization cartridge.

So, can you clean a demineralization cartridge for a Vicks humidifier? Probably yes. Or perhaps you should just replace it since it does not cost too much money.

If you are in a hurry, the demineralization cartridge cleaning process goes as follows:

  • Unplug the humidifier, let it cool down, and then remove the cartridges
  • Soak the cartridges fully in a water-salt solution or water-vinegar solution
  • After 20 minutes, remove the cartridges
  • Clean and rinse them under running water
  • Clean the humidifier tank with water and white vinegar
  • Refill it, drop the cartridges in and replace it in the tank

Should you clean or replace demineralization cartridges?

How to clean demineralization cartridges

First, before you know whether you can clean your demineralization cartridge for the Honeywell humidifier, you need to know how long it is supposed to last.

As a rule of thumb, this small unit is supposed to last 12 months. Remember, it traps the minerals in water.

If you live in a place with really hard water, it can also have a faster mineral buildup. In that case, you might even have to change it sooner.

If your demineralization cartridge is one year old, just change it. However, if it is not, you need to clean it and place it back in the unit.

How often should you clean your demineralization cartridge?

This depends on how mineral-laden your water is. In areas with really hard water, you might need to clean the demineralization cartridge at least once a month.

If there are minimal minerals in the water, that is, if it is between soft and hard, you can clean the cartridge once every two months.

Since the cleaning process is so simple, we would recommend that you clean it once a month. If your TaoTronics demineralization cartridge is not cleaned in time, it can affect your humidifier’s output.

Besides, you do not want all that pale dust on your furniture, carpets, books, and walls.

You will know that it is time to change the cartridge when white dust starts forming. Since it prevents the formation of the same, if you spot pale dust in your home, it means it is failing.

How to clean demineralization cartridges: the process

How to clean demineralization cartridges

As we promised, this is a very simple process. First, you have to remove the cartridge from the humidifier.

The demineralization cartridge cleaning instructions are as follows:

  • Remove the cartridge from the humidifier.
  • Soak it in a salt and water solution. Alternatively, you can soak it in a vinegar/water solution – half/half.
  • Let it stay in the solution for 20 minutes
  • This solution is going to break down the minerals caked on the demineralization cartridge enabling it to do its job easier
  • After 20 minutes, remove the cartridge from the solution, check it and rinse it in clean water.
  • Place it back in the humidifier

How long does a demineralization cartridge last?

If you have very hard water, you might need to replace the demineralization cartridge in your humidifier up to 4 times a year, perhaps even more.

Some sources will tell you that if your water is soft, replace it in about six months. However, in some cases, you can even go for a full year.

How often you replace the demineralization cartridge for Vicks humidifier depends also on how often you use the appliance.

If you live in one of those extremely humid places in Florida, you don’t need to run your humidifier for a long time.

If you live in a less humid place, you might need to replace the cartridge more often than a person who runs his/her humidifier a few times a month.

As we promised, you have seen that how to clean demineralization cartridges is so easy and it doesn’t take much time.

Cleaning a demineralization cartridge: FAQ

It is important to know how often to clean or after how long you should replace the humidifier cartridge. Here are a few frequently asked questions and their answers:

As often as indicated on the humidifier user instructions or on the demineralization cartridge itself.

But if you do not find such information, just replace the device after 40 fillings. If you use it beyond that, chances are that the device is not going to work properly. You will keep seeing humidifier dust.

It might also allow more mold to grow and cause mold toxicity signs in your family.

How do you demineralize water in a humidifier?

Mineral-laden water in the humidifier will cause white dust. However, you can install a demineralization cartridge in a Homedics humidifier to prevent this.

You can demineralize water in a humidifier tank by dropping a Homedics demineralization cartridge that you can order on Amazon.com.

There is really no installation required. Just drop the device into the tank, of course after filling the tank with water.

In some cases, you might have to use a demineralization filter. It is designed to be used as a cap to the humidifier tank.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning a demineralization cartridge is not too hard, is it? Besides, it does not require much. However, remember to change the cartridge at the advised time, which is after 30 to 40 fillings.

This also means that to get the full use out of your cartridges, it is best to run the humidifier until it is empty.

Remember to clean your humidifier too. A demineralization cartridge will not prevent the humidifier from pumping out mold, microbes and other contaminants with the mist. It only removes minerals.
If you are using the humidifier and demineralization cartridge daily, clean both of them daily.