--- title: "How to Clean a Vocal Steamer: What the Vicks and MyPurMist Manuals Say" description: "What the manuals say about cleaning: the Vicks V1200 after-use wipe and vinegar soak, MyPurMist's 10-minute drying cycle, storage and what to avoid." author: "VocalSteamer Editorial Team" publisher: "VocalSteamer (published by Danver LLC)" section: "How-To" published: "2026-10-13" updated: "2026-10-13" language: "en-US" canonical: "https://vocalsteamer.com/how-to-clean-a-vocal-steamer/" image: "https://vocalsteamer.com/images/posts/how-to-clean-a-vocal-steamer.jpg" faq: [{"q":"How often should you clean a steam inhaler?","a":"It depends on the model. Vicks V1200: wipe dry after every use, plus Weekly Maintenance at ten or more uses a week, when scale builds up, or after two weeks or more unused. Vicks Sinus Inhaler: rinse daily and clean thoroughly weekly. MyPurMist: a 10-minute drying cycle runs after each use."},{"q":"Do you need a special vocal steamer cleaner?","a":"The instructions we could verify use household supplies: a clean cloth or paper towel, undiluted white vinegar, and mild soap with warm water for the Vicks V1200; warm soapy water for a MyPurMist Free or Mypurmist 2 mask. Keep vinegar and other cleaners out of a MyPurMist tank; its guides allow only the specified water."},{"q":"Can vocal steamer parts go in the dishwasher?","a":"Only where the maker says so. On the Vicks Sinus Inhaler, only the Top Housing is dishwasher safe, in the top rack. The MyPurMist Free and Mypurmist 2 guides say the mask is not dishwasher safe, the Classic manual says no dishwasher, and the V1200 manual does not address it."}] --- # How to Clean a Vocal Steamer: What the Vicks and MyPurMist Manuals Say Clean a vocal steamer the way its own manual says, because the steps differ by model. The Vicks Personal Steam Inhaler (V1200) manual has you wipe the unit dry after every use and, when scale builds up or you use it ten or more times a week, soak the reservoir with undiluted white vinegar for 10 minutes. MyPurMist inhalers dry themselves for 10 minutes after each use, and their guides give no descaling step. These are the manufacturers' instructions, checked October 11, 2026; the Vicks documents were read that day in archived copies, dated below. We have not tested the devices or added steps the manuals do not state. ![White appliance parts drying on a linen towel beside an unlabelled clear glass bottle](https://vocalsteamer.com/images/posts/how-to-clean-a-vocal-steamer-inline-1.jpg) ## How to clean the Vicks Personal Steam Inhaler (V1200) Source: the V1200 Use and Care Manual (document 31IM1200206R2, copyright 2021), read in an Internet Archive capture of May 19, 2024 because the official Vicks humidifier site (vickshumidifiers.com) did not load for our check on October 11, 2026. If your leaflet differs, follow yours. The manual's first rule: "Always disconnect the plug from the electrical outlet and let the steam inhaler cool down for at least 20 minutes before cleaning." This model boils the water, so the reservoir gets very hot. ### After each use 1. Remove the Inhaler Hood and Vent Assembly and wipe them dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. 2. Pour out any water left in the Water Reservoir, then wipe the reservoir and base with a dry, clean cloth or paper towel. ### Weekly Maintenance The manual calls for this "If your Steam Inhaler is used ten or more times a week or scale builds up in the Water Reservoir", and before the next use after two weeks or more unused. * **Reservoir.** Pour two ounces of undiluted white vinegar into the Water Reservoir and let it sit for 10 minutes. Empty it, rinse with fresh, clean tap water, and dry the reservoir and base with a clean cloth or paper towel. * **Hood.** Wash the Inhaler Hood with mild soap and warm water, then rinse off all the soap with fresh, clean tap water. The vinegar is undiluted, so there is no ratio to mix. ### What to avoid, and storage "Never immerse the Base in water or other liquid." The manual does not say whether any part is dishwasher safe. To store the inhaler, refit the Vent Assembly and Inhaler Hood and keep it "in a cool dry place", unplugged and emptied. ## Vicks Sinus Inhaler (VIH200) The VIH200 is a different device, so do not assume the V1200 steps apply. Its official FAQ page (Internet Archive capture of March 25, 2025) says "The unit should be rinsed daily and thoroughly cleaned weekly" and that only the Top Housing is dishwasher safe, in the top rack. We have not collected the step-by-step instructions from its owner's manual, so use that manual for the steps. ## How to clean a MyPurMist steam inhaler MyPurMist sells three inhalers, each with its own user guide, linked from the manufacturer's support page (opened October 11, 2026). The guides carry no print date. | | Free (cordless) | Mypurmist 2 (plug-in) | Classic (plug-in) | | --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | After each use | Automatic 10-minute drying mode; the guide says the device "needs no other maintenance". | Automatic 10-minute drying mode "for self cleaning after each use". "Do not unplug. No maintenance needed." | A fan runs for 10 minutes to dry the internal parts. Do not unplug while it runs. | | Parts you clean | Mask: warm soapy water; not dishwasher safe. Outside: a clean dry or damp cloth. | Mask: warm soapy water; not dishwasher safe. | Unplug before cleaning the outside. No abrasives, dishwasher or immersion. | | Storage | Run the device until the reservoir is empty; keep it dry and cool. | Run the device until the reservoir is empty. | Empty the reservoir if storing it for more than 2 days. After long storage, run it for 5 minutes "to prevent any odor". | The table lists only the instructions we have on file from each guide; a gap does not mean the guide says nothing. None of the three guides gives a descaling step, and all three say liquids other than the specified water (sterile refills for the Free and Mypurmist 2; MyPurFill or distilled water for the Classic) will damage the device; [vocal steamer with saline](https://vocalsteamer.com/vocal-steamer-with-saline/) covers what each maker allows in the tank. The Vicks vinegar soak does not belong in a MyPurMist tank. The Free guide adds that the product has no user-serviceable parts, which covers its HEPA filter. ## Other steamers For other brands, and for ceramic pots or steam mugs, we have no manufacturer cleaning instructions on file; use the ones that came with yours. [How to use a vocal steamer](https://vocalsteamer.com/how-to-use-a-vocal-steamer/) covers filling and running one. ## The EPA's cleaning schedule is written for humidifiers The EPA's "Use and Care of Home Humidifiers" page (last updated April 29, 2026) covers console, portable and central humidifiers and does not mention steam inhalers. For portable humidifiers it says to empty the tank, wipe all surfaces dry and refill daily, and to clean every third day. That is background on devices that hold standing water, not a schedule for your steamer. The page's own advice: "Follow the manufacturer's suggestions on the use of cleaning products or disinfectants." ## A nebulizer is cleaned differently A mesh nebulizer is a different machine (see [vocal steamer vs. nebulizer](https://vocalsteamer.com/vocal-steamer-vs-nebulizer/)). It makes a cool mist and boils no water. The listings for Mayluck nebulizers (Mayluck is sold by the company that owns this site), read October 8, 2026, describe a rechargeable mesh nebulizer with a detachable cup, masks and a mouthpiece, so the parts you clean are different. Do not assume any step above applies to a nebulizer, the vinegar soak included. For a Mayluck nebulizer, the Mayluck help center explains [how one is cleaned](https://mayluck.care/articles/cleaning?utm_source=vocalsteamer.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=how-to-clean-a-vocal-steamer&utm_content=inline). For any other nebulizer, follow its manual. ## Steam or saline mist? Steam is warm water vapor and suits home use. A nebulizer makes a cool mist from saline, the method the saline voice studies in [our research library](https://vocalsteamer.com/research/) used (in one, Tanner 2007, with 60 vocally healthy women after 15 minutes of dry air, no nebulized treatment significantly sped recovery), and battery models need no outlet. Its cleaning routine is its own, not the steamer steps above. [Portable saline option](https://mayluck.store/products/mayluck-portable-mesh-nebulizer?utm_source=vocalsteamer.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=how-to-clean-a-vocal-steamer&utm_content=bridge-box) [How nebulizers are used and cleaned](https://mayluck.care/articles/cleaning?utm_source=vocalsteamer.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=how-to-clean-a-vocal-steamer&utm_content=bridge-box) Disclosure: both buttons lead to sites run by the company that owns VocalSteamer. ## Questions ### How often should you clean a steam inhaler? It depends on the model. Vicks V1200: wipe dry after every use, plus Weekly Maintenance at ten or more uses a week, when scale builds up, or after two weeks or more unused. Vicks Sinus Inhaler: rinse daily and clean thoroughly weekly. MyPurMist: a 10-minute drying cycle runs after each use. ### Do you need a special vocal steamer cleaner? The instructions we could verify use household supplies: a clean cloth or paper towel, undiluted white vinegar, and mild soap with warm water for the Vicks V1200; warm soapy water for a MyPurMist Free or Mypurmist 2 mask. Keep vinegar and other cleaners out of a MyPurMist tank; its guides allow only the specified water. ### Can vocal steamer parts go in the dishwasher? Only where the maker says so. On the Vicks Sinus Inhaler, only the Top Housing is dishwasher safe, in the top rack. The MyPurMist Free and Mypurmist 2 guides say the mask is not dishwasher safe, the Classic manual says no dishwasher, and the V1200 manual does not address it. ## Sources * [Vicks Personal Steam Inhaler V1200, Use and Care Manual (Kaz USA, document 31IM1200206R2, copyright 2021)](https://www.vickshumidifiers.com/wp-content/uploads/v1200-6-vv1_velvet_om_31im1200206r2_r1_23nov21_manual.pdf): manufacturer manual, read on October 11, 2026 from the [Internet Archive capture of May 19, 2024](https://web.archive.org/web/20240519155030id_/https://www.vickshumidifiers.com/wp-content/uploads/v1200-6-vv1_velvet_om_31im1200206r2_r1_23nov21_manual.pdf); the live Vicks site did not load for our check that day * [Vicks Sinus Inhaler FAQs](https://www.vickshumidifiers.com/sinus-inhaler-faqs/): manufacturer FAQ for the VIH200, read on October 11, 2026 from the [Internet Archive capture of March 25, 2025](https://web.archive.org/web/20250325175250id_/https://www.vickshumidifiers.com/sinus-inhaler-faqs/) * [MyPurMist steam inhalers collection page](https://www.mypurmist.com/collections/mypurmist-steam-inhalers-and-value-packs): the three current devices, checked October 11, 2026 * [MyPurMist support page](https://www.mypurmist.com/pages/mypurmist-support): links to the three user guides below, checked October 11, 2026 * [MyPurMist Free user guide (PDF, guide code UM202004-1)](https://www.dropbox.com/s/b1loamujtuv6v32/User%20Guide%20%26%20QSC%20OSB2%20v8%20SMALL.pdf?dl=0): manufacturer instructions, checked October 11, 2026 * [Mypurmist 2 user guide (PDF, guide code OSS2 UM201905-1)](https://www.dropbox.com/s/nsbbug2htet9fwv/User%20Guide%20OSS1%20v3.%20May17-19%20copy.pdf?dl=0): manufacturer instructions, checked October 11, 2026 * [MyPurMist Classic user manual (PDF, manual code MPM-OS2-20151115-UM-3)](https://www.dropbox.com/s/bxhs0septmeen5f/MPM-OS2-20151115-UM-3%20copy.pdf?dl=0): manufacturer instructions, checked October 11, 2026 * [US EPA, "Use and Care of Home Humidifiers"](https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/use-and-care-home-humidifiers): guidance for humidifiers, not steam inhalers; page last updated April 29, 2026 * [Tanner et al., 2007, Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research (PubMed)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17538106/): nebulized saline and water after dry air, 60 vocally healthy women * [Mayluck product listings (mayluck.store)](https://mayluck.store/products/mayluck-portable-mesh-nebulizer?utm_source=vocalsteamer.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=how-to-clean-a-vocal-steamer&utm_content=inline): nebulizer type and parts, read October 8, 2026 About the author: VocalSteamer Editorial Team. Research-based, not hands-on. Our guides are built from published studies, hospital and public-health leaflets, and makers' manuals. We have not tested the devices we write about, and each article is checked against its sources a second time before it goes live. [How we research and write](https://vocalsteamer.com/editorial-policy/).