Last Updated on May 22, 2023
Humidifiers are essential appliances in hot and dry areas. Not only does it help to add moisture to the room, but it also prevents the drying up of skin and chapped lips. However, sometimes, it gives off a funny smell, like fish. So you may be wondering, why does my humidifier smell like fish?
A dirty humidifier can easily promote the growth of molds, mildews, and grime all over it. This can cause a blockage that causes the air to pass through and spread a weird fish-like stench in the room. It can also be caused if the water has been stagnant and not changed frequently enough.
So, if you are still wondering why your humidifier smells like fish, then lucky for you, as this blog will let you know all the reasons and solutions. Let’s wait no further.
Why Does My Humidifier Smell Like Fish?: The Ultimate Solution Pack!!
As mentioned above, humidifiers aid you in many ways. Now, if you want the humidifier to perform well, it must stand out as a good-quality device.
However, when left uncleaned for quite some time, humidifiers can emit foul odors such as a fishy or musky smell.
Well, there are several ways by which you can prevent your humidifier from stinking up your room and making it smell fresh. Below we’ve shortlisted some of the best and most effective ways to deal with this issue.
Regular and Frequent Cleaning of the Internals
Keeping the humidifier clean is a must! When maintained regularly, humidifiers should not take up much of your time to clean thoroughly inside and out (as it’s always kept maintained).
Take the device apart and dust it off with a dry clean cloth. You can also use a toothbrush to get to the nooks and crannies that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to get to.
Be sure to allow the humidifier to dry up nicely and thoroughly before assembling it back together. Partially dry parts of the humidifiers can also let out an odd yet mild stench that can be unpleasant.
Therefore, if you are a victim of the odd, fishy stench from your humidifier, you are long overdue for a thorough and deep cleaning. Taking a little time out of your day-to-day activity to clean it up can surely do the trick for you.
Bleached Water Mixture
Bleach is the go-to solution if you are trying to get rid of any stench or for any cleaning purposes. It is perfect for cleaning devices like a humidifier as it not only disinfects them but even ensures an in-out shine!
When humidifiers begin to smell like fish, it indeed has accumulated enough dirt, dust, and debris, making the air pass through these dirt layers, resulting in a horrid stench.
Side Note: It is true that bleach has an unpleasant and disturbing pungent stench. But, when used to clean a surface, it conceals the smell and coats the odd smell of the bleach itself.
When bleach is used to clean a humidifier, it neutralizes all sorts of smell and stench it may have had on it. Once dried up, your humidifier will be squeaky clean without hinting any form of smell.
Humidifier Cleaning Fish
Humidifiers grow molds and mildew due to constant contact with water. So, you can add a humidifier cleaning fish into the water compartment to avoid this build-up and decay.
These are not actually fish; it’s only cleaning capsules and is made of patented antimicrobial that prevents further growth of these molds. Thus, avoiding any stench or odd smells such as fish-like.
However, do make sure that you replace these capsules every 30 days with newer ones for optimum freshness and a soothing smell.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I get the fish smell out of my humidifier?
Keeping your humidifier clean is the best way to eliminate the fishy smell. It is essential to take it apart to clean it thoroughly and eliminate the odor. Cleaning every part with dish soap or vinegar mixed with water can be the easiest and most effective.
2. Is it normal for a humidifier to smell?
Yes, it’s pretty normal! When you get an odd smell from your humidifier, you are long overdue for deep cleaning it. The tiny compartments need to be thoroughly cleaned to eliminate any odor. Hence, proper maintenance and cleaning of the device will help avoid any such smell in the future.
3. Why does my room smell like fish?
A few reasons could cause your room to smell like fish. This can be because of dirty vents, humidifiers, unclean and unsanitary floors, or even dirty mattresses. Having every corner of your room cleaned adequately is vital to prevent it from stinking up.
4. How do I keep my humidifier smelling fresh?
To keep your humidifier smelling fresh, you can always add different types of essential oils to the water compartment of your humidifier. This will allow the smell to diffuse throughout your room, making it smell fresh and clean also essential oils good for health.
Bottom Line
So, after going through this blog, you should now know why does your humidifier smell like fish. Humidifiers can be essential devices needed to maintain moisture indoors. Frequent use of these ensures you don’t suffer from chapped lips or dry skin.
However, it can also be responsible for a fish-like smell in your room. This is especially the case if you live in a humid area and also when you don’t keep it clean and maintained. Therefore, ensure you take regular care of the device to avoid such issues.
