White dust deposits from humidifier stuck on my reflector.. how do I get it off?

A

ASFx

Member
I've been running a humidifier for a couple weeks now, and I just noticed that it's leaving some white dust deposits on my reflector. It seems extremely difficult to clean off. I tried soap and simple green and it just doesn't wash off. Does anyone know of some something that will dissolve it so I can wipe it off?

I have started using RO water in my humidifier now so the problem shouldn't continue. Right now i'm just looking for a way to clean up the mess it already made.
 
Toolegit2quit

Toolegit2quit

Active Member
I wish I had read this thread before ordering 2 humidifiers a hour ago. The white dust seems to be common on most of the ultra sonic mist types. I ordered a couple that had good reviews, but this white dust may end up being a problem, since the type I ordered are the ultra sonic style. I may end up wishing I had got the evaporation style. I didn't see any mention of white dust in any reviews on the evaporation style.

Sorry, I have no suggestions but I'll be keeping an eye on this thread.

Good luck!
 
A

ASFx

Member
Vinegar seems to work better than the Simple Green. I have to leave it on the surface for a minute before it starts to work though. I think what i'll do is wait till the beginning of my next dark cycle, then take my whole reflector down and soak it in vinegar and water for a little while to make sure it's spotless. I don't want to rub the reflector too hard or use anything abrasive otherwise it might get scratched.
 
Ledhed

Ledhed

Well-Known Member
The "white powder" is the same stuff on shower heads, walls in the bathroom, and anything else that sees high humidity. It is calcium from "hard" water. CLR will clean it off just about anything, but don't try wiping your plants with it. Use filtered/bottled water in your humidifier and you should notice a lot less of it.
 
Timmahh

Timmahh

Well-Known Member
ok, humidifier puts out moister, heat and lights and wind drys the water out of the moisture leaving behind the mineral deposits that was in the water. you can use Distilled water in the Humidifier, thus eliminating the desolved solids in the water your filling the humidifier with. no desolved solids in the water, no white spots left behind as it evaporates.

the CLR thing is the right option (and a good rince) as its residual calcium your removing.
 
Serapis

Serapis

Well-Known Member
I'd go with vinegar... it is natural, it does the job and it contains no abrasives nor residues.

All good points with distilled water or RO water.... the OP even acknowledged this early on, so everyone repeating it back to him is greatly appreciated, I'm sure.... lol
 
Serapis

Serapis

Well-Known Member
ASFx said:
I have started using RO water in my humidifier now so the problem shouldn't continue. Right now i'm just looking for a way to clean up the mess it already made.
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There ya go guys.... We can all stipulate that the OP knows what caused the problem.... he even identified it and resolved it... Not sure why some of you feel it is necessary to point this out to him yet again...
 
A

ASFx

Member
Today I took my reflector down and cleaned it with 100% distilled white vinegar and a soft microfiber cloth. The vinegar dissolved the white dust perfectly and now my reflector is spotless. I didn't need to soak the reflector at all. I just had to make sure to wipe the reflector down with a dry part of the cloth as soon as i rubbed the vinegar on, otherwise the spots would dry back on. Thanks for the help everyone :)
 
Serapis

Serapis

Well-Known Member
glad to hear I was right.... That is because I'm winning.. ;)


j/k


congrats..

ASFx said:
Today I took my reflector down and cleaned it with 100% distilled white vinegar and a soft microfiber cloth. The vinegar dissolved the white dust perfectly and now my reflector is spotless. I didn't need to soak the reflector at all. I just had to make sure to wipe the reflector down with a dry part of the cloth as soon as i rubbed the vinegar on, otherwise the spots would dry back on. Thanks for the help everyone :)
Click to expand...
 
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