This time of year in Indiana, we’re used to the sight of fluffy white specks – outdoors, that is. However, if it’s beginning to look like a winter wonderland inside your home due to the appearance of white dust, then that’s a different story.
Where does the white dust come from?
A humidifier is an excellent way to keep your home at the proper humidity level, especially in the winter when the indoor air is usually dryer. The white dust that you are finding on surfaces around your home is likely dried-up minerals from water vapor created by the humidifier.
These minerals are natural in our home water supply. If you’ve ever heard of the term “hard water,” it’s referring to water with high levels of calcium and magnesium. Hard water is known to leave white spots on glassware or residue on clothes. Well, it’s these same minerals that are turning into the white dust around your home.
Does white dust pose health risks?
The good news is that the white dust is not generally harmful to the health of people or pets. As mentioned earlier, these minerals are likely present in your drinking water and do not pose significant health risks. However, some people are more sensitive to the dust, including those with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions.
What to do about white dust from the humidifier?
While white dust may be an eye-sore, it’s not a major headache to remove. In most cases, you can use the same cleaning methods and products you use for regular dusting in your home. And if you want to get rid of the white dust for good, there are a few options to consider:
- Use distilled water instead of tap water to fill your humidifier tank. This will ensure there are fewer minerals that can be dispersed and accumulate on surfaces.
- Install a water softener system. If hard water is the cause of mineral-rich water ending up in your humidifier, a water softener system can remedy that issue and benefit your plumbing and appliances such as the laundry machine and dishwasher.
- Install a demineralization cartridge in your humidity to catch minerals before the water is vaporized and dispersed around the home.
- Switch to a warm– or cool-mist humidifier system that works differently than the other types of humidifiers we mentioned earlier.
Humidifier installation and maintenance in Evansville, IN
If the sight of white dust makes you see red, talk to the experts at Baylor Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. We can help you determine if your current humidifier is meeting your needs or if it’s time for a newer system. To get started, call us today at (812) 425-8435.
