Cool Types 

To order parts for your Vicks Humidifier, please email [email protected]

Depending on the type of humidifier, Vicks VapoSteam and Kaz Inhalant can be used in the medicine cup while Vicks VapoPads can be inserted into the Scent Pad door. Please look for accessory compatibility in your humidifiers Owner’s Manual, product page, or in the humidifier comparison chart.

No. Adding essential oils or any other non-recommended materials in the water tank can damage the unit. Oil can erode or eat away at the plastic possibly causing the unit to malfunction. 

Place the unit at least one to three feet away from walls/furniture/curtains etc. Ensure it is not placed where it could be tripped over or in a location where it could be considered a fire hazard. Be sure that it is out of reach of pets and children as the warm mist humidifiers and vaporizers create boiling to hot water.  

This will vary between humidifiers. Please see the cleaning section of your humidifiers Owner’s Manual, this will inform you if any parts can be placed in the dishwasher.

The unit should be rinsed daily and thoroughly cleaned according to the Owner’s Manual weekly. The unit should also be emptied if not in use and the filter should be dried (if applicable).

Daily and weekly cleaning will vary depending on the style of your humidifier. Please see your model for cleaning instructions.

With some humidifiers (Impeller and Ultrasonic) the mist put out by the unit is a visible mist. These types of appliances turn the water into a mist and release it into the air. The minerals that are in the water are also in the mist being released by the humidifier. As the moisture evaporates into the air, the minerals are left behind and will settle around nearby surfaces as dust, and in most cases it is white. It is not harmful in any way; it is just the mineral contents of your water. The amount of white dust you see is directly related to the hardness of your water. To reduce the amount of white dust, use distilled or purified water or Protec Demineralization Cartridges (available for select models).

The humidity level in the room or the house is too high, and the air is becoming saturated with water. We recommend waiting to use the unit until the moisture level drops or using the unit on a low setting. A hygrometer can be helpful in determining the actual room humidity and should be available at most Hardware stores.

For responsible recycling, please visit 1800Recycling.com

Dry air is pulled through the system and a fan disperses invisible, moisture balanced air. There is no mist emitted. When operating normally you will feel only cool air coming from the unit. Monitor the water level in your tank and base. If you notice a decrease in the water tank over 24 hours, then the unit is operating normally.

The frequency in which the filter should be changed depends on the water in your area and how often you use your humidifier. If you notice a change in color or a slight odor, then it's probably a good idea to change the filter. For new filters, click here.

The Protec Replacement Wicking Filter works with most Vicks® Cool Mist Humidifiers. These filters are antimicrobially treated to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. Please see your humidifiers Owner’s Manual or product pages for this information.

If mold growth is an issue, we recommend using the Protec™ Cleaning Ball or Fish in your water tank and make sure to never leave your filter sitting in the water if the unit is not on. Whenever you turn your humidifier off, remove the filter and allow it to air dry. If you have a unit with no automatic shut off, you can empty the unit and turn it on with no water in it, allowing the fan to dry the filter out. 

With ultrasonic humidifiers the mist put out by the unit is a visible mist. These types of humidifiers turn the water into a mist and release it out into the air. The minerals that are in the water are also in the mist being put out by the machine. As the moisture evaporates into the air, the minerals are left behind and will settle around the room as dust, and in most cases it is white. It is not harmful in any way; it is just the contents of your water. The amount of white dust you see is directly related to the hardness of your water. To reduce the amount of dust, distilled or purified water can be used in your machine.

If there's condensation, then the humidity level in the room or the house is too high, and the air is becoming saturated with water. We recommend waiting to use the unit until the moisture level drops or using the unit on a low setting. A hygrometer can be helpful in determining the actual room humidity.

The nebulizer, or white circle, that you see in the bottom of the base vibrates at ultrasonic speeds to create the mist that this unit gives off. Minerals from your water will collect on the nebulizer and once they harden, the nebulizer slows to a pace that is too slow to create mist. Clean the nebulizer every week to ensure proper functionality. 

The VapoSteam can be used with the Warm Mist or Vaporizer units and should be put into the medicine cup on top of the unit. Do not place directly into the water tank.

Vaporizers require water with some minerals content in order to function properly. If you have filtered water or are using distilled water, this can prevent the unit from steaming. If you are using distilled water, please switch to tap water and try again. If you are using tap water and this does not work, we recommend adding one or two pinches of salt (1/8 tsp). Wait ten minutes for the salt to have an effect, and if it is still not generating steam, or is only generating a little steam, then add a pinch or two more as needed, up to 1/2 tsp.

First, make sure there is water in the tank. (Is the reset light on?) If there is water, check to see if there are mineral deposits on the heating element or removable water tray. If there is mineral built up on these parts, it can make the unit shut down prematurely. Please follow the cleaning instructions in the Owner’s Manual and then try to run the unit again upon completion.