Can anyone think of a reason why I shouldn't do this?

[skypilot]

I bought a humidifier a few weeks ago. The guy at the hardware store where I bought it threw in a box of extra wicks for free. Anyway, the wick that came with the humidifier started getting moldy after just one week. I put in a new wick and decided to try putting some hydrogen peroxide in the water tank. It's a 2.5 gallon tank and I put about 1/3 of a cup on hydrogen peroxide in the tank. I've been doing this for about two weeks and so far no mold. Is there anything that I should take into consideration before continuing this?

[msanger]

1. peroxiding your wick?

there is a disgusting joke in there someplace, but I can't figure out what it is.

could the peroxide do something bad to the tank - eat away the lining or something??

[skypilot]

3. i kinda doubt it

it's only 3% hydrogen peroxide and I only use 1/3 cup in 2.5 gallons of water. The tanks seems pretty sturdy.

[skypilot]

2. kick

:kick:

[On the Road]

4. Doesn't the Peroxide Turn Into Water When it Bubbles?

Hydrogen peroxide, if I remember, is H2O2. The excess oxygen molecule evaporates off and it becomes H2O. So I can see where it might be ineffective. But unless the that process reacts with the materials in the humidifier, I don't see how it would be harmful.

[skypilot]

5. It actually does seem to be effective at preventing mold.

The first wick was full of mold after the first week. I could actually smell it when the humidifier was running. I took the thing apart and ICK!!! So far, I'm not having that problem using the peroxide.

[jukes]

7. evap'ing peroxide.

Are you diluting it with water? I can't quote the chemical equation but you can go to and look @ the whizkids discussing concentrating 4% peroxide for use in various explosive mixtures. Concentrated h202 is a component of rocket fuel, primary charges (ammonium peroxide, etal. NOT really a concern, it would take a very long time to concentrate a sufficent quantity in a humidifier to be a combustion risk, but it could become a problem if you left it on while on vacation or somesuch. Would still need a spark, o/c. If you dilute with distilled water, it will be much safer.

[skypilot]

10. Yes, I am diluting it.

I put it right into the humidifier's water tank. The tank holds 2.5 gallons of water and I use 1/3 cup of HP.

[jukes]

9. link

Sorry, messed up that link .

Also I missed that you are diluting.

[Flightful]

6. Oxygen kills lots of nasty stuff

Not sure about mold, but peroxide kills anaerobic bacteria because it is unstable and breaks down into water and oxygen, and pure oxygen kills many microbes.

[Richardo]

8. I remember that from Andromeda Strain!

Richardo <--- 70s flashback

[skypilot]

11. That's what I've heard.

That's what gave me the idea to do this. I was just wondering if there is anyone out there who DIDN'T flunk chemistry, like I did, who knows something that I don't about if/why this could cause a problem.