With these humidifier tips and tricks, you can help keep your household healthy and your humidifier working at peak performance.
Clean Your Humidifier Regularly
Remember to rinse the tank daily and follow the instructions regarding cleaning to ensure that the humidifier stays free of mold or bacteria.
Humidifier Safety
Humidifiers should be placed on a firm, flat, waterproof surface at least four feet away from the bedside and out of the reach of small children. Tuck the power cord out of the way to prevent the humidifier from being tipped over.
Don’t Over Humidify
Moisture in the air is good, but too much isn’t. If you start to see condensation on the windows or the air feels damp, it’s time to turn your moisturizing efforts down a notch. Try using a humidity monitor to help monitor your indoor humidity levels. A comfortable and optimal humidity level is between 40-60%. Studies have even shown that keeping indoor air at a Relative Humidity level of 40-60% reduces the survival of flu viruses on surfaces and in the air.*
Add Vicks Soothing Vapors
Adding vapors to your humidification efforts can not only bring back that special aroma from your own childhood but provide a soothing scent that will give your child an extra dose of comfort.
Vicks VapoPads®
Vicks VapoPads provide up to 8 hours of comforting, non-medicated vapors per pad. VapoPads can be used with most brands of plug-in and waterless vaporizers. They are available in multiple scents and use types: Classic Soothing Menthol, Intense Cold Blasting Menthol, Sinus Relief Formula, Calming Menthol And Lavender, and Soothing Sleepy Time.
Vicks VapoSteam®
Vicks VapoSteam produces medicated steam that helps to relieve coughs from colds when added to a Warm Steam Vaporizer or Warm Mist Humidifier. Try out the Classic or Lavender scents.
Prevent Hard Water and “White Dust”
The tap water you use in your filter-free cool mist humidifier (also known as ultrasonic humidifier) may have a high mineral content, especially if you live in hard water areas. The minerals in the water exit the humidifier in the form of “white dust”. Use a Demineralization Cartridge to help capture the minerals before they are released into the air and settle on surfaces.
Humidifier Filter Care
If you are using a filtered, cool moisture humidifier to prolong the life of your wicking filter, turn it over each time you fill the water tank to help the filter age more evenly. It is recommended that you change your wicking filter every 30-60 days depending on water quality and usage. If you have hard water, you may need to replace your filter more frequently. Change your filter if you notice:
- The filter is hard and crusty
- The filter starts to give off an odor
- Moisture output is decreased
Using Essential Oils with Humidifiers
Do not put essential oils in the tank of any humidifier as the oils can damage the humidifier and void the warranty. Only water should be put in the tank of the humidifier. With most humidifiers, adding essential oils to the tank can break down the tank plastic and ruin the internal parts of the humidifiers. As an alternative, use Vicks VapoPads and Vicks VapoSteam with select humidifiers to get soothing Vicks vapors. Some humidifiers like the NaturalCare™ Cool Mist Humidifier have their own essential oil tray and offer the option of dispersing the oils in the tank. Always check your humidifier manual first before putting anything other than water in the tank!
Happy Humidifying!
We hope these humidifier tips and tricks help keep you (and your humidifier) happy and healthy!
*A STUDY BY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND ENGINEERING (ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2010, 9:55) SHOWS THAT KEEPING AIR AT RELATIVE HUMIDITY LEVELS BETWEEN 40-60% CAN REDUCE SURVIVAL OF FLU VIRUSES ON SURFACES AND IN THE AIR. HUMIDIFIERS CAN HELP ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN THIS HUMIDITY LEVEL.