How to Remove Hard Water Build-up from a Vicks Mini Cool Mist Ultrasonic VUL520WC

Introduction

If your Vicks Mini Cool Mist Ultrasonic humidifier (VUL520WC) or any humidifier that you own isn’t producing mist, it is likely because of the hard water build up.

Through long time use, humidifiers start to build up hard water, especially if they are not cleaned and kept maintained regularly. This can damage the humidifier and ultimately prevent it from working.

Even if your humidifier is working with the hard water build up, it is still important to ensure that it is removed because a dirty humidifier can spread bacteria and other harmful chemicals into the air.

Use this guide to learn how to remove the hard water in order to have the humidifier producing mist normally again.

For detailed instructions on how to remove hard water build up for a warm mist humidifier, follow this guide instead.

What you need

Step 1 How to Remove Hard Water Build-up from a Vicks Mini Cool Mist Ultrasonic VUL520WC

How to Remove Hard Water Build-up from a Vicks Mini Cool Mist Ultrasonic VUL520WC, How to Remove Hard Water Build-up from a Vicks Mini Cool Mist Ultrasonic VUL520WC: step 1, image 1 of 1

Unplug the humidifier from the wall.

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Step 2

Pour out any remaining water from the water tank into the sink.
Pour out any remaining water from the water base into the sink.

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Step 3

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Using a measuring cup, fill up the base of the humidifier with 1 cup of distilled white vinegar (250 mL).
Leave the solution of vinegar in the base for 30-40 minutes.
The vinegar will start making a soft sizzling/bubbling sound which is perfectly fine because it means the solution is doing its work.
Keep an eye on the solution as you proceed with the other steps.

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Step 4

How to Remove Hard Water Build-up from a Vicks Mini Cool Mist Ultrasonic VUL520WC: step 4, image 3 of 3

Using the same measuring cup, fill up the water tank with 2 cups of distilled white vinegar (500 mL).
Seal the water tank shut and give it a good shake for 1-2 minutes so the vinegar can be spread throughout.
Once again, if the vinegar makes a soft sizzling/bubbling sound, it is perfectly okay.

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Step 5

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Push the nozzle located at the bottom of the water tank so the vinegar slowly filters through it and into the sink.
Ensure that the humidifier is facing upward as shown in the third picture so the vinegar can slowly pass through the nozzle.

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Step 6

How to Remove Hard Water Build-up from a Vicks Mini Cool Mist Ultrasonic VUL520WC: step 6, image 3 of 3

Using a different measuring cup, fill up the water tank with 2 cups of water (500 mL) to rinse it of any vinegar still left inside.
Seal the water tank shut and give it a good shake for 1-2 minutes.

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Step 7

Pour out the water from the water tank into the sink.

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Step 8

Using a small soft brush, scrub the inside of the water tank to remove any hard water residue left inside.
This guide uses a tooth brush to scrub the inside of the water tank, but any small soft brush will work.

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