Maintenance of VecoCuby TWIN-HT3G humidifier

Replace the optional top covering paper towel as needed when it starts to dry out due to excessive deposits. If the wicks dry out due to the empty pan, soak the wicks and refill the pan.

If more than 1/4 surface of your wicks dry out due to the deposits, which may happen at the end of the season or in the future (depending on water hardness), rinse the wicks to wash off salts. Repeat it until the dry-out area grows back in less than half of the last time/a month. Then when rinsing becomes too often, overlaying a layer of paper towels (or a new cloth wick) to cover the old cloth wicks and put the humidifier back to use (continue to repeat the above steps, remove old paper towels if the overlaying is not the first time). 

You may also replace the old cloth wicks with new, self-made or ordered from ACH Ecosimpventive, or even just paper towels alone. The above overlaying paper towels is considered as the most economical way with minimum effort. 

At the end of the season, allow the wicks to dry completely before putting in storage. You may rinse the wicks and the pan first but it is not necessary.

Tip: Place a piece of soaked kitchen paper towel on top of each frame to extract some mineral deposits from the water, which tend to accumulate on the wet top as seen in the picture below. Replace the paper towel when noticeable deposits appear (before it dries out). The paper towel also helps increasing airflow through the open-top gaps (now covered by the paper towel) among sections of the wick, when the HVAC floor vent is used to increase evaporation. The paper towels will reduce the need for the wick's cleanup. This method works best for horizontal placement of the frames (thin wires horizontal).

Picture below: two weeks after the picture above. Much less deposits on the right frame compared to the left frame. For better results, 

  1. rinse/replace the paper towel more often;
  2. rotate the frame 180° horizontally every other day (front-back rotation, the front collects more deposits as it evaporates more from stronger and hotter airflow);
  3. attach paper towel to selected area of vertical sections of the wicks when noticeable deposits appear (tuck down dry paper towel before soaking for easier placement, use a pencil/stick if needed). 

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The following are for your information only in case you want to do more. Methods for cleanup (keep the wicks on the frames),

  • Quick cleanup: rinse top of the cloth wicks;
  • Moderate cleanup: if the discoloration locates mostly on top of the wicks, flip the wicks upside down with thin wires level, refill the pan with water and wait for 30-60 minutes, then rinse the wicks and pan;
  • Deep cleanup: rinse the wicks first and submerge the entire wicks in the water for 30-60 minutes or longer until no more deposits can be dissolved, then rinse the wicks and the pan.

Chemicals used for cleanup: 

  • Bleach - if mold or algae grows on the cloth wicks (some dark deposits are minerals or lints, not mold), you may spray/apply diluted bleach (1:10 to 1:20 for 7.5% bleach vs water), locally or for entire cloth wicks, and wait for 10-30 minutes or longer for tough spots before/while you do the deep cleanup. Note bleach may cause damages in the frames and the pan, you should minimize the exposure time of the humidifier to the bleach and rinse thoroughly thereafter. Do not use bleach if you use paper towels as wicks.
  • Vinegar/citric acid - while vinegar/citric acid can help removal of the deposits, we do not recommend them for the cleanups due to their corrosive nature to the stainless steel frames and pan (unless you are cleaning overlayed cloth wicks which can be removed easily and washed separately). In addition they may weaken the fiber in the wicks. Nevertheless if you still decide to use them, consider to use a plastic container not the stainless pan for cleaning. After the deep cleanup, use a small cup to pour the vinegar/citric acid slowly over to soak the cloth wicks, wait 20-30 minutes, or longer for heavy soiled, then rinse thoroughly afterwards. 
  • Water softener/treatment - read the manufacturer's instruction before use. It may be able to reduce your cleanup times if applied properly.

Disclaimers: User assumes all risks associated with any chemicals used in any cleanup process mentioned above, including but not limited to bleach, vinegar/citric acid and water softener/treatment. In no event shall ACH Ecosimpventive be liable for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages whatsoever arising from the use or misuse of this product.