Cleaning a Diffuser: A Five-Minute Routine

Nearly every diffuser that stops producting a decent mist is simply dirty. Oil residue builds on the ceramic disc, and once it does, output drops off long before anything has actually failed.

After each tank

Empty any leftover water rather than leaving it to sit. Wipe the inside of the reservoir with a dry cloth. That alone prevents most of the residue problems people write in about.

Once a week

Fill the reservoir halfway with water, add a small amount of white vinegar, and run the unit for two or three minutes. Empty it, wipe the disc gently with a cotton bud, and rinse. Do not scrape the disc with anything hard.

What to avoid

Keep the unit away from strong detergents, and never submerge the base. If your water is hard, using filtered water will cut cleaning frequency roughly in half.