Hard water is one of the biggest enemies of humidifier users. The mineral deposits will turn into white dust when diffused into the air. Also, it can block the humidifier tubes and eventually damage the entire unit. To prevent this from happening, you can use water softener tablets for humidifiers, which you can also find in capsule or cartridge form.
Below, I reviewed three of these solutions to help you solve the hard water problem in your humidifier. See which one works best for your unit.
| WATER TABLETS | BRAND | EXPERT RATING | CHECK PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Our Top Pick! GENIANI Water Replacement Tablets |  | Check Price |
 | Leemone Humidifier Demineralization Balls |  | Check Price |
 | HoMedics Demineralization Cartridge Capsules |  | Check Price |
3 Water Softener Tablets For Humidifier
OUR #1 CHOICE
OUR TOP PICK: GENIANI Demineralization and Water Replacement Tablets
Product Name: GENIANI Demineralization and Water Replacement Tablets
Product Description: If you’re looking for water softener tablets for humidifier, I highly recommend the GENIANI Demineralization Tablets. The tablets are contained inside a cartridge, with each one lasting for weeks. Moreover, this comes in a pack of 2 or 5, depending on your needs. It’s also compatible with many ultrasonic and evaporative humidifier models. Aside from reducing the mineral content of hard water, these tablets also help neutralize malodors. It will also reduce the risk of bacterial formation in your unit.
Offer price: $$$
Availability: InStock
-
Efficacy
-
Lasting Effect
-
Value for Money
Overall
Summary
Take note that you only need one cartridge per gallon of water. This is enough to eliminate white dust if you’re using hard water on your humidifier.
Inside each cartridge, there are silver ion balls that are proven to help with odors and contamination. For the best results, you should replace these cartridges every 40 days or more frequently if your hard water has high mineral content.
Overall, these are affordable water softeners. However, compatibility can be an issue if you’re not using a GENIANI humidifier model. Other than that, these demineralization tablets work wonders.
Pros
Comes in a pack of 2 or 5
Helps reduce odors
Neutralizes bacterial growth
One cartridge is enough for 1 gallon
Cons
It’s not compatible with all humidifiers.
RUNNERS-UP
Leemone Humidifier Demineralization Balls
Another great alternative to water softener tablets is the Leemone Humidifier Demineralization Balls. It’s compatible with almost every humidifier, including warm mist, cool mist, evaporative, and ultrasonic. It’s a safe choice if you’re new to water softener solutions.
Each cartridge of these balls can demineralize hard water containing magnesium, lime, or calcium. You can also use this on your fish tank.
Aside from that, you’ll get 12 water softener balls on every pack. This way, you have enough to last a year since the cartridge needs to be replaced every 30 days. In general, one ball is enough for a small humidifier, but you’ll need more on large water tanks.
My favorite thing about this water softener is its money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the results or quality of the product, you can contact Leemone to resolve the issue.
Take note that despite the benefits of these demineralization balls, you should still clean your humidifier. But overall, you’ll see a major difference once you start using these balls.
HoMedics Demineralization Cartridge Capsules
My last pick for this short roundup is the HoMedics Demineralization Cartridge Capsules. These are compatible with all HoMedics humidifiers and similar models. Rest assured that you’ll enjoy reduced white dust, and your humidifier will remain cleaner for a long.
Moreover, each of these demineralization cartridges can last for up to 30 full-tank usages. However, the harder the water, the shorter each cartridge will last.
Each box of this HoMedics product contains four cartridges. You’ll have spare enough to last for a few months. It will reduce white dust, so there will be fewer irritants in your indoor air.
Aside from that, these cartridges help reduce gunk inside humidifiers. This means there will be less bacterial growth and bad odor in your home.
Overall, the HoMedics Demineralization Cartridges have excellent quality. It doesn’t leave any residue and is trusted by thousands of humidifier users.
How to choose water softeners
There are a few options in the market when it comes to water softener tablets for humidifier. To help you choose, here are a few considerations to keep in mind:
✔️Choose the type
Water softeners for humidifiers come in tablet, capsule, and cartridge forms. All of these work wonders in absorbing the mineral content of the water.
Tablets can help clean the humidifier, but it’s not the most efficient when it comes to demineralization. Nevertheless, it’s a convenient and cheap choice, especially if your water isn’t that hard.
On the other hand, humidifier capsules and cartridges are the most common options. The tablets and demineralization components are encased inside a plastic housing. You simply pop it into your humidifier water tank, and it will do its job.
✔️Check the components
Most demineralization tablets and cartridges in the market are made of potassium salts. It’s either potassium chloride or sodium chloride.
Once the tablets are added to the water, the salts will release ions. It will neutralize calcium and magnesium ions that are the cause of hard water.
Overall, these components are safe to use unless you have an underlying health issue. When in doubt, it’s always best to consult your physician.
✔️Mind the proportions
For efficacy, you should use enough water softener tablets that are proportional to your humidifier. In general, you’ll need eight grains of sodium for each gallon of humidifier water.
It’s not really dangerous to use more than this, but it will be just a waste of money. The good thing is that most manufacturers advise on the number of water softener tablets you need to use.
✔️Consider the price
Lastly, you should check the price of the water softener you’re going to use. Most of these tablets are available for a low price.
Still, you should avoid very cheap ones, especially those with packaging that lack information about the product. While you may need to shell out a few more bucks, it’s best than using substandard water softeners. The worst thing about these cheap softeners is they might be laced with harmful chemicals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you treat hard water in a humidifier?
A: Hard water in humidifiers can be used by using demineralization cartridges. This will absorb the mineral content of the water, so it doesn’t get released into the air. If you don’t have any of these cartridges, you can use undiluted white vinegar. You should soak this on the mineral deposits, but don’t run the humidifier. The vinegar will loosen the deposits, which will help flush them out.
Q: Can I use hard water in my humidifier?
A: Hard water isn’t ideal for humidifiers unless you use a water softener tablet or demineralization cartridge. This is because the minerals on hard water will turn into white dust when diffused, and it can also damage the components. The mineral deposit will also cause pink mold buildup.
Q: What happens if you don’t use distilled water in a humidifier?
A: The use of hard water in a humidifier will lead to bacterial growth on the mineral deposits. If not cleaned properly, harmful microorganisms will start to thrive in your humidifier. In the end, your humidifier will become the cause of irritation and respiratory problems. If you don’t have any choice but to use hard water, you should at least add a demineralization cartridge to your humidifier.
Q: What you should not put in a humidifier?
A: You should never put anything in your humidifier other than water. If you wish to use your humidifier as an oil diffuser, make sure that it’s designed for such a purpose. Otherwise, the oil will damage the unit’s hose, filter, and misting mechanism.
Q: Can I put lemon juice in my humidifier?
A: A few drops of lemon juice on your humidifier won’t hurt. Actually, it helps reduce congestion, and it will also deodorize your room naturally. This is much better than loading your humidifier with essential oils, especially if it’s not rated for such a purpose.
Q: How do you prevent calcium buildup in a humidifier?
A: Using demineralization cartridges or tablets, you can prevent calcium buildup in a humidifier. These items will help neutralize minerals that could accumulate inside your device. Just take note that it’s not a full substitute for cleaning your humidifier regularly. It’s only a complementary solution for the hard water problem.
Final words
Demineralization cartridges and water softener tablets for humidifier help a lot for those using hard water. It reduces the formation of white dust and will also combat malodors due to bacterial growth.
Still, these solutions are only complementary and must be paired with proper humidifier maintenance. Deep-cleaning your humidifier periodically is necessary to prevent mineral deposits. It will also prevent respiratory irritations caused by irritant inhalation.
Home Air Quality is founded by Bernard K to provide information on Indoor Air Quality in Homes and enlighten people about what they need to know about creating and maintaining a comfortable and healthy home environment.
We believe that “Quality air brings a healthy life.”
