How To Clean A Vicks Vapor Humidifier

Vicks Humidifier

For allergy and cold sufferers, a Vicks vaporizer can be a heaven-sent blessing to help you breathe better. With your air quality being a top priority, it's essential that you know how to clean a Vicks vaporizer the right way. Intimidated? You shouldn't be. Learning how to clean Vicks vaporizer is a snap and once you know how, you can easily make cleaning your vaporizer a routine.

How easy is it to learn how to clean a Vicks vaporizer? We're here to tell you. But we have a few things to cover first, so take a deep breath and start scrolling!

What Is a Vicks Vaporizer?

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A Vicks vaporizer is a device that utilizes Vicks VapoRub in a new and efficient way. If you aren't already familiar, Vicks VapoRub is a balmy substance made primarily with menthol and eucalyptus that can provide soothing, cool relief for those who have colds, stuffed noses, sore throats and coughs.

How Does a Vicks Vaporizer Work?

To make the best use of your Vicks vaporizer, you need to use the Vicks brand VapoRub. Simply put the balm in the vaporizer as directed, plug in the machine, and sit back to enjoy instant relief of your symptoms. A Vicks vaporizer uses a water reservoir to turn the balm into steam, which goes into the air so you can inhale and start breathing easier.

What Can a Vicks Vaporizer Help With?

A Vicks vaporizer is useful in alleviating the uncomfortable respiratory symptoms associated with colds and flus. Vaporizers are also good for nasal congestion and allergies as well as helping those who suffer from asthma. A Vicks vaporizer is especially good during the cold, arid winter months where dry air sometimes aggravates upper respiratory discomfort. You should always double check with a doctor or other medical professional before using a Vicks vaporizer for the elderly or for very young children.

Is There a Difference Between a Vaporizer and a Humidifier?

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This is a very good and very important question. The truth is that thereis a distinct difference between a vaporizer and a humidifier. While both machines have similar functions, they have different uses and help address different symptoms of respiratory issues.

Vaporizers

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In general, a vaporizer is any machine that is used to vaporize a substance into something that can be inhaled. Vaporizers use electricity to boil water in order to create steam, which is then dispersed into the air along with whatever balm, medicine, or blend of herbs have been put into the reservoir. Vaporizers are frequently referred to as "steamers" since they use steam to work their magic.

Vaporizers arehot machines since they use boiled water. Ultimately, that means that you need to be careful to avoid tripping over the cord, since it's very easy to get burned by the hot water inside the container if it has been recently turned on. That said, some doctors argue that vaporizers are more hygenic since they boil the water before it is dispersed, which rids the steam of bacteria and other contaminants.

Humidifiers

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A humidifier is any kind of machine that converts water into mist that is then dispelled into the air. Humidifiers utilize cold water, so they don't use as much electricity and their internal components are vastly more simple than a vaporizer. A cool-mist humidifier uses vibrations or a rapidly turning disk to disperse mist of water into the air. As it moves, it breaks up the water into tiny particles that can be inhaled. Humidifiers are often called "cold-mist" devices, since the output is literally a slightly chilled air.

If you have small children or pets and are concerned about potential safety hazards, then a humidifier might be a better choice to ease your mind.

Which Is Better?

Both vaporizers and humidifiers transform water into moist air to correct the humidity in any given room. Physicians have long known that humid air is easier on our lungs, which is why those with chronic respiratory issues, allergies, or frequent respiratory illnesses are recommended to purchase either a vaporizer or a humidifier.

Another less talked about difference between vaporizers and humidifiers is cost. Humidifiers are generally more expensive than vaporizers. Depending on the model you choose, a vaporizer can be an economic and health-conscience purchase that will improve the level of humidity in your home and aid in eliminating dry skin, nose bleeds, and respiratory illnesses.

How to Clean a Vicks Vaporizer

Method One: Daily Cleaning

Before you wilt in dissatisfaction and grump about needing to clean a vaporizer every day, you should know that learning how to clean Vicks vaporizer daily really isn't that big of a deal.

Step 1

Unplug the vaporizer and allow the machine to cool

Step 2

Drain the water from the vaporizer

Step 3

Rinse and empty the water reservoir with cold water

Step 4

Clean the medication cup with a dry cloth

Step 5

Wipe dry with a clean cloth

Method Two: Weekly Cleaning

This is a more intensive clean that is best reserved for weekend mornings. It might seem time-consuming at first, but the entire process of how to clean VIcks vaporizer weekly is easier than you think.

Step 1

Unplug the vaporizer and allow the machine to cool

Step 2

Drain the water from the reservoir, rinse with cold water, and wipe dry

Step 3

Step Three: Fill kitchen sink with 3 inches of vinegar and allow the vaporizer to soak for 10 minutes

Step 4

Use a toothpick to remove hard water build up from the water intake holes in the bottom of the machine and the steam outlet at the top

Step 5

Cover the bottom holes on the steam outlet with your fingers, then use water to fill the steam outlet until the machine overflows

Step 6

Cover the top steam outlet with your other hand and vigorously shake the machine several times to fully rinse the inside of the machine

Step 7

Drain the vaporizer, then repeat several times until vinegar odor is gone

Step 8

Dry off all parts of the vaporizer with a clean, dry cloth

Method Three: Disinfect The Water Reservoir

After you've been sick, it isvital to disinfect the water reservoir in your vaporizer. Disinfecting the water reservoir can be done at any time, but is especially important when you are dealing with a lingering cold or flu.

Step 1

Fill reservoir with cold water and add 1 teaspoon of household bleach

Step 2

Gently swish the combination of water and bleach inside the reservoir, covering all sides of the container

Step 3

Allow bleach and water mixture to sit in the reservoir for 20 minutes

Step 4

Drain the liquid from the reservoir

Step 5

Rinse the reservoir with cold water until the scent of bleach is gone

Step 6

Wipe the inside of the reservoir with a clean cloth

Disinfecting the water reservoir is an important part of knowing how to clean a Vicks vaporizer and should be done as often as necessary to ensure that the steam output of the vaporizer is as bacteria-free as possible. Cleaning the vaporizer with the harsher bleach at such a low concentration is not harmful, but it is enough to completely kill any stubborn bacteria clinging to your water reservoir. Only use bleach on the reservoir for cleaning.

Conclusion

Learning how to clean a Vicks vaporizer is mostly just a matter of instituting a cleaning routine and sticking with it. Vaporizers might release a cleaner air with a steam output, but vaporizers also need a little help to make sure the steam stays as uncontaminated as possible.

There are three methods of how to clean a Vicks vaporizer. The daily cleaning method prevents stagnant water, the weekly cleaning method prevents water build up, and the disinfectant method kills any bacteria associated with sickness. All three methods of cleaning are important but not so time consuming as to be a deterrent from enjoying the benefits of having your own Vicks vaporizer.