Knowledgebase

White Film from Humidifier Use #437024

Asked December 27, 2017, 4:27 PM EST

When I use my humidifier, there is a white powder that is left afterwards all over the television and the screen of the television. 

1.  What is this?


2.  Is this safe?

Macomb County Michigan

Expert Response

According to the Mayo Clinic, humidifiers can ease the symptoms of colds and the effects of dry indoor air, including cracked lips and dry skin. Many times a humidifier will release a white mist, or dust, that can settle on walls and other surfaces. This substance is caused by the minerals in regular tap water, which is often used to fill the humidifier. It is possible to stop the spread of this white dust and keep the humidifier running all winter long.

Step 1

Unplug the humidifier from the wall.

Step 2

Remove the existing water from the humidifier. Water contains several types of minerals, including iron and sodium, which cause the white powder when released into the air.

Step 3

Clean the humidifier according to the manufacturer's instructions. This may involve disassembling the unit and replacing the humidifier's filter.

Step 4

Pour demineralized or distilled water into the humidifier's tank. These liquids have a lower mineral content than tap water.

Step 5

Consider switching to a humidifier that comes equipped with a demineralizing filter, which removes the minerals found in tap water before they are dispersed into the air.

Ask Extension Question Wrangler Pronouns: she/her/hers Find your local Extension office here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/county Find an expert in a specific topic here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/experts/experts-by-topic-area Find home gardening information here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/home_gardening/ Order a soil test kit here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/soil-testing-returns-through-msu-extension Mold questions? We don’t have an expert in mold, but we do have a few resources below or contact the  Michigan health department. Molds in the Home Indoor Air Quality May be Hazardous to Your Health   Mushroom questions? We can’t identify, but we do have these three resources to help you: Identifying  Morel  Poisonous MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg, Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. The University resides on the land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw. Replied January 11, 2018, 7:56 AM EST

I'm trying purchased distilled water now. Just started so I have to give it a two-week trial to see if there is any build-up on the TV screen. I tried hauling in snow and melting it. At first although this is a job in and of itself it looked like it was working as I went by the assumption that since rain water (from what I've read) is distilled water snow must be too. The buildup over a two-week period was substantial so I don't know what is operating there. But melted snow does not seem to work. There is also a build-up in my bedroom from the ultrasonic humidifiers there.

I have one humidifier which is 'steam-like' in another bedroom.  It does have a white, circular, cloth-like pad that fits on the heating element of the humidifier to supposedly filter the mineral content of the water. The size of the pad does not convince me it can filter sufficiently over its projected monthly tenure.  But it's 'steam-like' features may be working.  However this humidifier, a Vicks, model V790-N claims to be 'Germ-Free'  but says nothing about demineralizing (calcium and magnesium) the vapor that comes out of it.  

I do have a Vick's steam humidifier except steam leaves the room a little 'steamy.' And it only has a one-gallon capacity so I'm changing the water a lot - if I have one or two in each room then that is very time consuming. But steam I assume does definitely not have mineral content, e.g., it's distilled water.  

I've heard reverse osmosis also will take the mineral content out of the water but since my snow experiment did not work I would want scientific proof before purchasing a reverse osmosis system. I'd have to expend around $200. for one of those R.O. babies which only 'reverse osmotes' five gallons at best a day. Still if it works and is dependable I would consider. Is there a way I can get that verified?  

Buying distilled water even just for the humidifier in the front room can get to be expensive. Then hauling and storing it around the house is a little exasperating.  

I wish there was some sort of litmus test where I could hold some sort of test sheet or cloth right next to the outlet valve of the humidifier for a few seconds then seal it in a zip lock bag and determine what the mineral content of the evaporating vapor would be. Would there be such a means to run such a test?  

I used some demineralizing cartridges but they (Best Air) are not effective.  
I did buy one demineralization filter from Air Innovations but it only fits into an Air innovations humidifier. This filter is the only one that does not have a vague general description of capability. The Air Innovations filter screws into the bottom of the tank so the water has to pass through it. This filter does specify that it does filter out the calcium and magnesium minerals which as far as I know are the cause of the white film on the TV set and elsewhere. But to use it I will have to expend another $100 for another humidifier. And who is to say it would be 100% effective.  

There is also a ‘soft water’ treatment system that you can buy.  Again, how effective?  And with this system I assume I would have to use bags of salt which would bring in other complications. 

 I really appreciate your reply and hope you can provide me with additional feedback and information.  
Thanks for your help.  

Frank Cherney, Chesterfield, Michigan  


.  
The Question Asker Replied January 11, 2018, 9:28 AM EST

Frank -- We don't really have any additional information other than distilled water works the best.  You could try boiling tap water I suppose if you don't want to purchase gallon jugs of distilled water. Many furnaces have a moisture setting so that would be another thing to check.  Maybe only put a humidifier in the rooms you spend the most time in.

Good luck!

Ask Extension Question Wrangler Pronouns: she/her/hers Find your local Extension office here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/county Find an expert in a specific topic here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/experts/experts-by-topic-area Find home gardening information here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/home_gardening/ Order a soil test kit here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/soil-testing-returns-through-msu-extension Mold questions? We don’t have an expert in mold, but we do have a few resources below or contact the  Michigan health department. Molds in the Home Indoor Air Quality May be Hazardous to Your Health   Mushroom questions? We can’t identify, but we do have these three resources to help you: Identifying  Morel  Poisonous MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Michigan State University occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg, Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples. The University resides on the land ceded in the 1819 Treaty of Saginaw. Replied January 11, 2018, 2:52 PM EST

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