Humidifier giving off musty smell?

Question

I bought a brand new cool mist humidifier. I wash it everyday and refill with cool clean water and its only a week or so old. The past couple of days it has been giving off a musty smell. Any ideas on how to get rid of it?

Answer 1

I have had this problem in the past, but now use a product called Humidifier Bacteria Treatment made by Bemis. (I purchased it from an appliance specialty shop where I buy my humidifer filters.) You simply add a few drops of it to the water when you fill up the humidifer. The treamtent cost me $6 for 32 oz, but since you use so little of it, it lasts a long time.

Answer 2

Humidifier Smells Musty

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Humidifier giving off musty smell?
I bought a brand new cool mist humidifier. I wash it everyday and refill with cool clean water and its only a week or so old. The past couple of days it has been giving off a musty smell. Any ideas on how to get rid of it?

Answer 4

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/axQKA

We have a similar issue. I wonder if your house is built on a slab. (meaning, no official basement) We're getting our AC unit cleaned Monday. I'll see if your question is still open then and let you know what they say to me. Update: The folks came over and checked out our unit. Our AC coils really needed to be cleaned out, so he did a good job with that. He said that sometimes the musty odor could be coming in from our crawl space. His response to that was to get that tape that has metal (aluminum) on one side and tape up all the seams where the ducts come together. If I were to pay them to do it, they would change $100/hr. The other thing he suggested was to have the ducts.cleaned if the taping didn't help mitigate the odor. In terms of dust, if you have a humidifier attached to your unit, you have to change the filter every year. You can get dust from calcium/salt build up and that gets sent through your vents. Additionally, we have dampers that need to be adjusted in the summer and winter. I think it may be wise to call an ac/furnace person for a cleaning of your unit. They will be able to tell if you have dampers and such and where the correct positions are for summer and winter. I hope that helps and gives you some ideas :-)

Answer 5

I've come to the conclusion it's the actual product that puts off a smell. I have had my humidifier for 20 years, never a smell from it. I saw the recall about the older models, so I called and got the new fan/motor. Ever since then I get a fishy smell. Wish I kept the old motor!

Answer 6

There is a solution that should have come with the unit or could be bought to stop this smell. Mold builds up inside of the unit and causes this smell to come out, so you need that solution to kill the mold buildup and make the air smell fresh. If you find it difficult to find in stores just add a disinfectant to the water mixture every time you fill it, do not add too much because your house will smell too much. Try a wintergreen scented one, since most people like the smell.....KECK

Answer 7

Mine did the same thing. I added about a half of cup of vinegar and it stopped. You may need to add it a couple of times.

Answer 8

First thing is to have the ducts cleaned out. Then the furnace itself, with the filter. I change my filter once a month, they are really cheap and keep the ducts cleaner longer.

Answer 9

Could be the filter, although if you've only had it for a week it shouldn't be doing that. Maybe call the manufactuer, see what they can do for you.

Answer 10

if it's only a week old return it but try putting a little bit of vinegar into the water and it should help