I'm no expert, but a friend of mine loaned me her humidifier recently and she just put some bleach and water in the tank and cleaned the tank with that. It did leave a smell of bleach in the tank that could be smelled any time it ran, but after a few refillings, it went away, and I figure if it smells there must be a little left, which means it should clean the working parts fairly well too. (while you're running it the first few times) And the medicine tray in the SWM5250 is dishwasher safe, so I would just run that through the dishwasher, but bleach should be fine for that too.
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS (from the manual):
The following maintenance procedures must be routinely followed in order to ensure proper, efficient operation of your humidifier. The unit WILL NOT WORK CORRECTLY if it is not cleaned properly.
When the unit is in use, daily and weekly maintenance is recommended. Regular weekly cleaning prevents scale buildup on the heating element and base. It also prevents micro-organisms from growing on the base. This ensures that maximum efficiency will be achieved.
We cannot over-emphasize how essential proper cleaning is to the maintenance and continued use of your unit and to the the avoidance of algae or bacteria build-up.
DAILY MAINTENANCE Allow to cool before maintenance. 1. Before cleaning, set the control to OFF (O) position and unplug the unit from the electrical outlet. 2. Remove the water tank then unlock the misting chamber by rotating the safety lock towards the front of the unit. Lift mist chamber from the unit's base. 3. Empty water and minerals from the base and place in the top rack of the dishwasher. This will remove any sediment and dirt that has accumulated in the base. NOTE: It is imperative that the base is cleaned properly. The base is dishwasher safe (top rack ONLY) for easy cleaning. 4. Wipe the heating element clean with a soft cloth after it has had a chance to cool. 5. Replace misting chamber and engage safety lock. The Electronic Thermal Control Heating element is lined with a coating that is designed to provide the easiest cleaning and prolong the operating efficiency of the humidifier. DO NOT use any metal or hard objects to clean the Heating Element. Never use detergents, gasoline, kerosene, glass cleaner, furniture polish, paint thinner or other household solvents to clean any part of the humidifier.
WEEKLY MAINTENANCE Remove Scale: Allow to cool before maintenance. 1. Repeat steps 1-5 in the Daily Maintenance section. 2. Clean the tray by partially filling the base with one 8 oz. cup of undiluted white vinegar. Let solution stand 20 minutes, cleaning all interior surfaces with a soft brush. Dampen a cloth with undiluted white vinegar and wipe out entire base to remove scale. 3. Rinse with clean warm water to remove scale and the white vinegar solution before beginning to disinfect the tank. 4. Wipe the heating element clean with a soft cloth after it has had a chance to cool.
Disinfect Tank: 1. Fill tank with 1/2 teaspoon of chlorine bleach and 1/2 gallon of water. 2. Let the solution stand for 20 minutes, swishing every few minutes. Wet all surfaces. 3. Empty the tank after 20 minutes, and rinse well with water until the bleach smell is gone. Dry with a clean cloth of paper towel. 4. Refill the water tank with cool water; replace the housing and water tank. Repeal ALL Operating Instructions.
Answers & Comments
I'm no expert, but a friend of mine loaned me her humidifier recently and she just put some bleach and water in the tank and cleaned the tank with that. It did leave a smell of bleach in the tank that could be smelled any time it ran, but after a few refillings, it went away, and I figure if it smells there must be a little left, which means it should clean the working parts fairly well too. (while you're running it the first few times) And the medicine tray in the SWM5250 is dishwasher safe, so I would just run that through the dishwasher, but bleach should be fine for that too.
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS (from the manual):
The following maintenance procedures must be routinely followed in order to ensure proper, efficient operation of your humidifier. The unit WILL NOT WORK CORRECTLY if it is not cleaned properly.
When the unit is in use, daily and weekly maintenance is recommended. Regular weekly cleaning prevents scale buildup on the heating element and base. It also prevents micro-organisms from growing on the base. This ensures that maximum efficiency will be achieved.
We cannot over-emphasize how essential proper cleaning is to the maintenance and continued use of your unit and to the the avoidance of algae or bacteria build-up.
DAILY MAINTENANCE
Allow to cool before maintenance.
1. Before cleaning, set the control to OFF (O) position and unplug the unit from the electrical outlet.
2. Remove the water tank then unlock the misting chamber by rotating the safety lock towards the front of the unit. Lift mist chamber from the unit's base.
3. Empty water and minerals from the base and place in the top rack of the dishwasher. This will remove any sediment and dirt that has accumulated in the base.
NOTE: It is imperative that the base is cleaned properly. The base is dishwasher safe (top rack ONLY) for easy cleaning.
4. Wipe the heating element clean with a soft cloth after it has had a chance to cool.
5. Replace misting chamber and engage safety lock. The Electronic Thermal Control Heating element is lined with a coating that is designed to provide the easiest cleaning and prolong the operating efficiency of the humidifier. DO NOT use any metal or hard objects to clean the Heating Element. Never use detergents, gasoline, kerosene, glass cleaner, furniture polish, paint thinner or other household solvents to clean any part of the humidifier.
WEEKLY MAINTENANCE
Remove Scale: Allow to cool before maintenance.
1. Repeat steps 1-5 in the Daily Maintenance section.
2. Clean the tray by partially filling the base with one 8 oz. cup of undiluted white vinegar. Let solution stand 20 minutes, cleaning all interior surfaces with a soft brush. Dampen a cloth with undiluted white vinegar and wipe out entire base to remove scale.
3. Rinse with clean warm water to remove scale and the white vinegar solution before beginning to disinfect the tank.
4. Wipe the heating element clean with a soft cloth after it has had a chance to cool.
Disinfect Tank:
1. Fill tank with 1/2 teaspoon of chlorine bleach and 1/2 gallon of water.
2. Let the solution stand for 20 minutes, swishing every few minutes. Wet all surfaces.
3. Empty the tank after 20 minutes, and rinse well with water until the bleach smell is gone. Dry with a clean cloth of paper towel.
4. Refill the water tank with cool water; replace the housing and water tank. Repeal ALL Operating Instructions.