Category: Humidifiers

Do Humidifiers Increase Oxygen? (No and Yes)

Do Humidifiers Increase Oxygen?

A humidifier is not an oxygen machine or an oxygen concentrator and it should not be mistaken for one.

A humidifier is an appliance that adds moisture or humidity to the air. And humidity actually displaces oxygen.

But a humidifier can increase oxygen indirectly in a couple of ways.

1.  Humidity is a natural air purifier that weighs down particles like pollen and airborne bacteria as well as viruses.

Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier can make these particles too heavy to float thereby increasing the natural oxygen available.

The National Library of Medicine has stated that “the majority of adverse health effects caused by relative humidity would be minimized by maintaining indoor levels between 40 and 60%.

By keeping the relative humidity at the recommended level, you naturally increase the oxygen by using the natural capacity of humidity to purify the already existing oxygen.

Plant humidifier

Using a humidifier as a tool to help keep your oxygen creating plants healthy.

Using a humidifier for plants is not a new idea. Plants need the right humidity to thrive and stay healthy just as much as people do.

The same dried out air in the house that causes your skin to crack and your nose to feel brittle will also have an adverse effect on your plants.

Plants need that 40 to 60% relative humidity to thrive as much as people do.

If you haven’t heard about it, there is a list of plants that NASA has conducted an in-depth study on and has declared them to be all natural air purifiers.

Some of the plants included in the list are Aloe Vera, Rubber Plant, and Mother-in-law’s tongue.

plant humidifierAnd a number of the plants, including the ones I mentioned above happened to be some of the best oxygen producing plants that exist.

Do you see where I’m going here?

The combination of the right plants with the right moisture in the air can make an amazing air purification system and a high oxygen producing environment.

So what’s the answer to the original question?

“A humidifier can help increase oxygen when it is used as a tool to help purify your air and to keep your all natural air purifying and oxygen releasing plants moist and healthy in your home.’

How do you know how much humidity to add to aid your plants?

The ideal is to mimic the natural environment and climate where the plant grows the best.

In other words, cactus is going to need less humidity because of its natural desert surroundings and Rubber tree is going to need much more because of its natural tropical habitat.

Doing the research for your plants is key.

Knowing the humidity level in your home is also key.

If you do not know what your humidity is already, you do not have a starting point.

A hygrometer is an inexpensive thermometer type device that measures humidity.

But a better option is to own a  humidifier that has a hygrometer/ humidistat already built in.

Most Humidifiers are usually known to be pretty cheap devices you find in the drugstore or Walmart.

But these days humidifiers are smart machines that can either work as cool mist or vaporizers and include features like essential oil compartments and bacteria resistant materials.

Recap

Do humidifiers increase oxygen?

A humidifier is not the same thing as an oxygen concentrator.

Human beings cannot breathe underwater and it is also true that when the humidity is very heavy, it can be harder to breathe because of the thickness of the air.

High levels of humidity are also known to be a lot more likely to be full of mold spores and dust mites. Dust mite populations are actually exploding with high humidity.

So just blasting humidity into a room with a humidifier is not an answer to increasing the oxygen or creating an environment where you can breathe better.

But maintaining the proper relative humidity in the house is a great way to reduce the amount of airborne germs and allergens as well as hydrate your nasal cavities and your skin.

Humidifiers are also an excellent way to keep your plants lush and thriving.

And if you want to take it a step further you can include plants that are listed in NASA’s top Air purifying and oxygen releasing plants.

Humidifiers can help increase the oxygen in a room but they do so indirectly.

Benefits of a Humidifier While Sleeping (next to snoring train)

So how much of our lives do we spend sleeping, do they say? Like 26 years or something, and another 7 years just trying to get to sleep. That’s insane.

We all know the feeling I’m not getting a good night sleep and trying to be at our best the next day or sometimes days.

Not getting the adequate amount of sleep presents a whole host of problems.

Some very severe like memory loss, heart disease, and low sex drive.

There is no doubt that sleep is a very important part of everyone’s lives.

But did you know that humidity can have an effect on how well you sleep?

It’s a fact.

Air that is too dry can cause your breathing to be impaired because of dust and germs that easily float when there’s not enough moisture in the air to weigh them down.

When you’re trying to sleep, breathing in these impurities can cause snoring, coughing, and exasperated sleep apnea.

Dry air also can cause your skin to become dehydrated leading to flaky itchy skin, and acne. 

As well as cause your nasal passages along with your throat, to become raw leading the nosebleeds and a dry sore throat.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, air that is too humid can be filled with mold spores and dust mites, also making it hard to breathe deep while you are trying to get a good night’s rest.

Excessive humidity can also be harder to breathe which can impair your slumber, and be a nightmare for people with asthma and sleep apnea.

But fortunately, there is a device that can help you remedy any problems you are having sleeping because of poor low humidity.

The device?

The humidifier.

Yep. The Humidifier.

The benefits of sleeping with a humidifier nearby are many.

Restful sleep when you’re congested and your nasal passages are swollen and brittle, hydrated skin when you’re dried out,

and Air that is cleaner to breathe because of the capacity of moisture in the air to ” weigh down” dust and particulates inhibiting their ability to float.

Sounds wonderful and it is. Humidity is much more a part of being healthy and getting proper sleep than most people including myself ever thought of or gave it credit for.

How do you know if you need a humidifier?

How do you know when you need to use a humidifier?

There are certain times of the year, namely the cold winter months when the air becomes naturally too dry.

Then to combat the cold, we turn on the heater, which dries the air out further.

During this time of year, it’s a no-brainer. You need a humidifier.

hygrometerBut even with that information, knowing when to use a humidifier is still guesswork unless you have a way of measuring the humidity.

Aha… The point!

Measuring the humidity level of the air in your home is the only way you can be sure you need to fire up the humidifier.

How do you do that?

A hygrometer. A hygrometer is to humidity what a thermometer is to temperature.

A simple device that measures the relative humidity.

You can buy them fairly cheap and monitor the humidity at your leisure.

But, Humidifiers these days come with everything you need to measure your humidity, dial in the humidity level you want, and let the machine do the work.

You can buy a humidifier with a built-in hygrometer and a humidistat to set the humidifier at whatever humidity you want. 

You can purchase humidifiers that have all the smart capabilities that allow you to control your humidifier via your phone, or check the relative humidity in your home, or schedule the humidifier to come on at a certain time.

All at your fingertips and all easily programmed to take commands by voice.

With what is known about humidity these days and it’s capacity to hinder viruses, hydrate skin and help keep acne under control, as well as act as a natural air purifier,

Combined with the amazing selection of humidifiers available that can do it all,

I think its time we took humidifiers more seriously and looked at them as an investment other than a cheap plastic drugstore item.

Humidifiers are also starting to make big jumps in the way they are cleaned.

You can now purchase humidifiers that have ultraviolet lights to target and kill bacteria inside of the water before it becomes part of the air,

There are also humidifiers that are made out of antimicrobial plastic that keeps bacteria and fungus from being able to grow on the actual materials that the humidifier is made out of,

And there are also additives you can buy to put in the humidifier to keep mold and bacteria from becoming an issue.

And don’t forget, smart humidifiers will also alert you when it’s time to clean your humidifying device.

Recap

Sleeping with the humidifier when the air is dry has many benefits.

1. Keeping your skin hydrated,

2.Weighing down and keeping dust and particulates out of the air so that they are not breathed in,

3.Easing the pain of swollen and dried nasal passages are all benefits to sleeping with a humidifier on.

But as wonderful is all that is, humidifiers are not needed all year long.

In order to get the best result out of a humidifier, you need to know exactly when to run it.

And in order to do that, you first need to measure the humidity before you get started.

A hygrometer is a simple tool to measure the relative humidity.

Fairly inexpensive, the hygrometer will let you know whether you even need to turn the humidifier on or not.

Fortunately these days, it’s not hard to find a humidifier that has a hygrometer built in as well as a humidistat to dial in the humidity level that you desire.

Like everything else in the modern world, humidifiers can be purchased to work with your Wi-Fi and be controlled using an app to schedule and monitor your relative humidity level.

If you’re living on the opposite side of the spectrum and you’re average humidity is too high, a dehumidifier may be the ticket. 

Humidifier Benefits For Skin (a beauty elixir?)

Humidifiers have traditionally been a congestion and dry nose device and something that may not come to mind immediately when you’re thinking about moisturizing your skin.

But lately, humidifiers are as likely to be found in the beauty section as much as they are in the seasonal cold and flu section.

Why is that?

It comes down to the science and a level of understanding of how the relative humidity at any given time can be at the root of dry skin.

Though it is well known that not all skin types are the same and some people have naturally oily skin and some people not so much.

But regardless of skin type, dry skin as it is related to humidity, is basically dehydrated skin.

Dry skin = dehydrated skin.

Hadley King, MD states “dry conditions can cause small cracks on the epidermis that expose nerve endings and the deeper layers of skin to the outside world”
“Increasing moisture levels helps to maintain hydration. When skin is properly hydrated it naturally combats common winter skin concerns.”

Does the humidifier help with dry skin?

One of the easiest ways to help combat dry skin as well as being one of the best all natural moisturizers is a humidifier.

Humidifiers have a single purpose. To restore humidity back to the air.

According to PubMed, the relative humidity must be maintained between 40 and 60% to minimize adverse health effects including dry skin.

Humidifier benefits for skin

 

 

Keeping the humidity in your home at an optimal level with the use of a humidifier can benefit you and be an integral part of your skin care routine by Supplementing the moisture in your skin when the cold has dried you out and the heater is drying you up.

A humidifier also benefits the skin by keeping dust levels down. When the air is dry, dust floats easily, which in turn contacts your skin much easier, drying it out that much more.

Air that has the right humidity, moistens dust and keeps it from floating.

The relative humidity also keeps allergens and viruses from being able to travel as far. When the air contains the right relative humidity, viruses and allergens, as well as other airborne bacteria, becomes too heavy to float and fall through the surface much faster.

Steam humidifiers can also help open up your pores for deep cleaning.

Facial steam humidifiers hydrate your face and allow you to remove a deeper level of dirt and bacteria from your skin

What’s the best humidifier for skin?

Humidifiers can come equipped with all types of features that were once not heard of in the humidification arena.

But the feature you should be sure to include in the purchase of a humidifier is undoubtedly a hygrometer or hydrostat as it’s also called.

A hydrostat is like a thermometer for humidity. It tells you exactly how humid the air is and allows you to set it dial in the relative humidity level that you want it to be.

Without a hydrostat/hygrometer you have no way of knowing how much humidity you need or even if you need it at all.

Another feature that you should look into when purchasing a humidifier is the capacity to run as either a warm mist humidifier or a cool mist humidifier.

Both have their advantages.
For instance a cool mist humidifier may offer more relief for a dry throat and dry nasal passages. They are also infamously endorsed as a better option for cold symptoms or congestion and sore throats by Mayo Clinic.

Cool mist is also recommended for children because it doesn’t offer any risk of getting burned and when you’re sleeping with the humidifier running for relief during the night, steam is not something you’re looking for.

But on the other hand, steam humidifiers have other benefits like helping you be able to exfoliate your skin and well with different additives like eucalyptus that can help you better also.

So if you can purchase a humidifier that can operate as both a cool mist and a steam humidifier, that’s the direction to take.

Another thing you should keep in mind when purchasing a humidifier is that they require regular cleanings to keep them from becoming a point of origin for bacteria and mold.

There are many humidifier brands these days that make the process of keeping the humidifier clean much easier and less frequent.

Humidifiers like the Dyson AM10 use ultraviolet light to target bacteria and mold inside of a humidifier basin, while other humidifiers like the Taotronics use antimicrobial plastic in their construction to keep mode from being able to grow inside of the unit.

There are also different types of additives like Guardian Aquasticks you can put directly into the humidifier basin to keep mold and bacteria from becoming an issue as fast.

Wrap up

Humidifier Benefits for Skin

Dry skin and skin care maintenance may not be something you immediately associate with humidity and humidifiers, but the truth is the two actually go hand in hand.

Skin moisturizing should always start with making sure your air humidity is between 40 to 60%. If the relative humidity is below 40%, then your skin can become dehydrated very quickly.

Thankfully, there is an easy solution for dry air. The good ol humidifier.

Only humidifiers these days come with features like hydrostats that allow you to dial in the exact humidity you need.

Not only that, you can purchase humidifiers that can run up to 60 hours without refilling.

Other features like self cleaning technologies and combination hot and cold mist make humidifiers a must have for maintaining healthy skin.

Is a Humidifier a Cure for Asthma? (click bait alert)

The humidifier is not a cure for asthma.

But maintaining proper humidity levels in your home is very important to living with, and living well when you have asthma.

As stated in a research article listed by the National Library of Medicine, “the majority of adverse health effects caused by relative humidity would be minimized by maintaining indoor levels between 40 and 60%.”

The article goes on to say that mite populations reach their maximum size when the relative humidity is at 80%. And that most species of fungi cannot grow unless the relative humidity exceeds 60%.

Conversely, as pointed out in this article” droplets and aerosols tend to stay afloat longer and travel farther and air with lower relative humidity. Virus containing aerosols, in particular, can penetrate more deeply into the lungs to increase the possibility of transmission”

“In addition, research shows viruses have the potential to live longer on surfaces in cold environments.”

The point is that the relative humidity in your home should be maintained at a level between 40 and 60% regardless.

And depending on the season and, or the climate you live in, you may very well need a humidifier. And, or a dehumidifier.

But whether you’re in a cold or hot situation right now,

The first thing you need to know is what the humidity level is in your house.

And for that you will need a hygrometer.

Hygrometers measure the humidity and show you exactly what the relative humidity in your home is.

  Or if you are already in the market for a humidifier then the first feature you’ll want to be sure to include is a built-in hygrometer.

Because how will you ever know how much humidity you need to add to make your air healthier and easier to breathe if you don’t have a way to measure it.

After you have measured the humidity and found that yes, the humidity level in your home has dropped below or risen above the health and comfortability point, then it’s time to think about a humidifier.

Humidifiers come in different types and have a different range of levels of what they are capable of achieving.

And like everything else they come with the cheap version and there are also Cadillac versions.

  Fortunately there are versions of humidifiers that are built for persons with asthma directly in mind.

Humidifier for Asthma

What types of features should you rank higher than others when you are in the market for a humidifier for asthma?

1.  Humidistat

The humidistat will tell you what your humidity is in your home and allow you to set your humidifier to the desired humidity level you want.

Just like a thermostat that you dial in on a heater or air conditioner, a humidistat lets you dial in exactly the percentage of humidity you want in your room.

2. Secondly, you want to choose a humidifier that is germ-free.

“Germ-free” is a term used loosely here,  because there is no such thing as a humidifier that doesn’t have the potential to produce mold and bacteria if it is allowed to go unmaintained.

But there are a few technologies available that can lower the risk of a humidifier becoming contaminated, and also lower the frequency that the humidifier needs cleaned.

A few options are:

a. Ultraviolet light

Ultraviolet light inside of a humidifier works the same way as putting a UV light in a fish tank or keeping one and a sterilizing container for combs and scissors works.

A UV lamp targeted directly upon the water in your humidifier will kill 99% of the germs and bacteria in the basin.

b.  Antimicrobial plastic

Antimicrobial plastic is one of the coolest advancements to come along in humidifiers. It is a type of plastic that is actually resistant to fungi and mold.

It is also a great way to reduce the chance of a humidifier becoming a problem instead of a help.

c. Antibacterial additives

You can also purchase bacteria destroying additives that can be added straight to the basin of your humidifier.
Some humidifiers come with antibacterial drop in products included.

3.  Combination cool mist and warm mist

Another option that you should think about including in your humidifier purchase is the capacity of the humidifier to run as either a cool mist or a warm mist humidifier.

Having the option to either use a humidifier as a warm or cool mist is a huge advancement in humidifier technologies also.

4.  Larger tank size.

Humidifiers come with different tank sizes. The tank size is what determines how long you will be able to use the humidifier without refilling.

You can get humidifiers with tank sizes that last up to 60 or even more hours.

5.  Whole house humidifier

A whole house humidifier, also commonly referred to as a furnace humidifier, connects directly into your duct work.

These units have a great advantage over portable units because they can produce the right relative humidity throughout your home via your already installed HVAC.

Another great advantage is the fact that there is no basin to refill with water.

They do however pose the risk of mold growth in walls and require the proper maintenance. They also have yearly replacement parts.

Summary

If you’re an asthmatic, maintaining the proper relative humidity is more important to you.

Excessively low and high humidity has consequences for everyone, but when you’re struggling with asthma, the difference in being in a room with the proper relative humidity between 40 and 60% can mean the difference in breathing or not breathing.

Humidifiers have come pretty far with advancements. There are humidifiers available these days that monitor and keep the relative humidity in your room at the optimal spot.

There are also humidifiers that have built-in cleaning methods such as ultraviolet light and antimicrobial plastics that keep the risk of mold and asthma triggering bacteria at Bay.

Humidifiers also come with many more options such as being able to use them in either cool mode or vapor mode and they also are sold large enough to be able to use them several days without refilling.

The best option however may be placing a whole house furnace humidifier that can keep the relative humidity in your entire home at the right level at all times.

Should You Use a Humidifier for Acne?- You May Be Surprised

Humidity for Acne?

Low humidity and acne are not 2 topics that you may think have much to do with each other.

Or if you are like me, you would probably guess that humidity, especially high humidity, would result in having a worst case of acne or pimple breakout.

As it turns out, both are true. But not for the same reasons.

Dry air affects your skin one way and humid air affects your skin another way.

Dry conditions can cause small cracks on the epidermis that expose nerve endings in the deeper layers of skin to the outside world. The result? Itching, flaking, and more sensitivity to products and the environment. says Hadley King MD

The damage caused by dry skin also allows the bacteria that causes acne to be very deep into the skin.

Dry skin can also release a counter balancing reaction in your skin that creates an overabundance of oil to maintain hydration.

This all adds up to fertile ground for acne to flourish.

It’s a common story to hear of someone who lives in a dry cold climate expressing their amazement at how their complexion clears up when they go on a vacation somewhere humid.

Being in an environment where the relative humidity is 40 to 60% has a way of repairing dry skin.

But unfortunately not all of us live in an area where the humidity is that easy to come by.

Or, Will we be traveling to a vacation island anytime soon.

And it does not help any that during the dry cold season, the heater is running non stop drying out the air.

And in the summer, the AC is dehumidifying to counter the heat.

And don’t forget the fan blowing on you constantly.

So how do you offset the lack of humidity and create a hydrated space for your skin to repair itself and give you the moisture you need for a great complexion?

One of the best ways you can combat dry skin and acne caused by dry skin is keeping a humidifier running in your home and next to your bed while you sleep.

A warm mist humidifier or steam humidifier will restore the humidity level in your room to an optimal level and also open up your pores, which will help remove the bacteria and oils that are at the root of acne breakouts.

Also Humidifiers, unbeknownst to many people, are actually great air purifiers all on their own.

Why is that? 

When the air is dry, dust and bacteria are free to flow throughout the airstream. But when you add moisture to the picture, the airborne particulates become too heavy to float and fall to the surface.

A great multifunction warm mist / cold mist humidifier with a built in hygrometer we suggest is the Levoit LV600HH.  Check the price out here.

You’re probably thinking, That’s all good in the winter but …

What about humidity pimples?

Doesn’t high humidity cause acne?
Actually the opposite is true, humidity actually keeps your skin hydrated and healthier.

But humidity also causes sweat. And when you sweat, your body produces extra oils and expunges toxins and salt, which all come to the surface of your skin.

In which the most common thing to do is to take your already sweaty shirt and wipe your face with it, basically wiping the dirt and oil right into your pores.

Another thing to remember is that dry skin is not solely a winter cold season problem.

There are many reasons your skin may be dry.

For instance, swimming in a pool with chlorine will dry your skin out and swimming is typically thought to be more of a summer activity.

Soaps and detergents also have drying agents in their ingredients.

Being in a dusty room is also a sure way to dehydrate your skin.

The bottom line is your skin it’s meant to have a level of moisture in it and whether the climate is the cause or whether there’s an environmental problem, you have to find a way to keep your skin moist regardless.

Humidifiers have one job and that is to add moisture to the air with the goal of maintaining a relative humidity from 40 to 60%.

Humidifiers are actually the best all natural skin moisturizer you can own.

Humidifier vs diffuser for acne

Diffusers are a type of humidifier that  disperse aromatherapy essential oils into the air along with humidity.

And though it is true that there are essential oils that are responsible for removing bacteria in the air,

Many essential oils can be a skin irritant. So it is not recommended to use a diffuser as a steam humidifier to open up your pores.

It’s also important to remember that dogs and cats are particularly sensitive to essential oils that contain menthol.

Other types of appliances that add moisture to the air include facial hydrators, evaporative coolers, and air washers.

Facial hydrators are a type of steam humidifier that are meant to be used to clean and moisturize your face. Strictly a beauty product.

Evaporative coolers are air conditioners that blow air over water too cool a room. They also go by the term “swamp cooler” because of the level of humidity that they can add to a room.

Air washers are a type of air purifier that use water to filter air.

Humidifier for acne?

Believe it or not, the good old humidifier may be the best all-natural skin moisturizer you can buy.

Keeping the relative humidity at a healthy level in your home or room is one of the easiest and best ways to combat dry skin and ward off outbreaks.

And whether you’re suffering from dry skin because of the climate you’re in or if there’s an environmental issue like harsh soaps or chlorine you’re dealing with,

The simple solution of increasing the humidity may be what the doctor ordered.

Humidifier vs. Air Purifier (Is it As Obvious As it Seems?)

Humidifier vs. Air Purifier

What’s the difference between a humidifier and an air purifier?

The answer should be pretty obvious you would think.
And on the surface it is.

An air purifier purifies the air and an air humidifier adds humidity to the air.

And when you’re trying to decide whether you need to run an air purifier or to run a humidifier,

The answer to that should seem pretty obvious too.

Do you want to filter the air or do you want to add moisture to the air?

But here is where it gets a little more interesting.

Dry air and humidity have a direct link to the transmission of viruses and allergies in the air.

Two things that you would normally consider to fall in the air purifier category.

Check out the Air Innovations MH 505A on Amazon Here

According to an article in science daily, professor Michael Ward states “when the humidity is lower, the air is dryer and it makes the aerosol smaller”

He also added,  “the aerosols are smaller than droplets. When you sneeze and cough those smaller infectious aerosols can stay suspended in the air for longer.

That increases the exposure for other people. When the air is humid and the aerosols are larger and heavier they fall and hit surfaces quicker.”

Cooler air can cause the humidity to drop as much as 20%. Which makes it much easier for airborne particles to travel.

Secondly, the extra dry air can cause the body’s own natural humidifying and air purification functions, called Cilia, not to function optimally and have a harder time expelling viral particulates as well as it would in normal humidity.

An experiment cited by medicalnewstoday.com shows that rodents placed in an environment with 10% relative humidity “succumbed to influenza virus infection more rapidly than those housed in 50% relative humidity.”

The study also showed that dry air caused the immune response in the mice to be less efficient.

So what does it mean?

The capacity of a humidifier to be able to reduce the spread of viral particles seems to have an edge in the cold dry months compared to an air purifier.

But don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

A good air purifier, especially one that uses an h13 HEPA filter, can reduce the number of allergens and viruses in the air significantly. Regardless of the relative humidity.

Other types of air purifiers that use plasma wave or bipolar technologies can also significantly lower the amount of virus particulates in the air.

Furthermore, air purifiers are useful everyday of the year whereas humidifiers are only useful when the relative humidity drops.

But when the temperature is cooler and dry air becomes an issue, an air purifier will do zero to add any humidity back to the air.

See the Levoit Hybrid Ultrasonic Humidifier Here

So is one better than the other?

Should you purchase a humidifier and not bother with the air purifier?

This is a situation where there is no either or.

Humidifiers clearly have an edge when it comes to restoring the relative humidity back to 40 to 60% in the cold months when the air is extra dry.

And viruses need dry air to transport easily.

But extra humidity is definitely not welcomed all year long where there’s not a time of the year when you don’t need clean air to breathe.

And that’s where an air purifier comes in.

So the only good answer is to own both a humidifier and an air purifier.

Am I saying you should purchase a combination air purifier and humidifier?

That’s not what I’m saying at all.

There are a lot of combination appliances that make a lot of sense.

But combining an air purifier and a humidifier is not exactly the best ideal.

Let me explain why I think this.

Humidifier air purifier combos use water to clean the air. These types of units are called air washers and revitalizers.

These machines are not able to clean the air without adding humidity.

And though they may be a great idea in the winter, the dry season only lasts so long.

You have to remember that the humid season is coming, and adding more humidity to the already excessive humid condition is not going to be the best ideal.

You’re going to want a device like a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity at that point.

Combining an air purifier and a humidifier may seem like a great idea on the surface, but the truth is it’s really only useful for about the same amount of time as you will use a humidifier.

You should think about purchasing an air purifier as a standalone appliance that doesn’t try to combine any other function other than to clean the air.

It’s the only scenario that really works.

Air purifier vs humidifier.

Air purifiers and humidifiers seem like two totally different machines on the surface.

One cleans the air and one adds moisture to the air. Case closed right?

But there are studies that prove that viruses and allergies transfer much easier and faster in dry air.

Studies also show that cold and flu symptoms can be reduced as much as 50% by simply adding humidity back into the air through the use of a humidifier.

It’s during these cold dry times that humidifiers actually become a better air purifier than an air purifier itself.

And as “case closed” is that might sound, even though humidifiers may have an edge during that small part of the year, they are not very useful in other seasons.

Air purifiers are useful all year long and don’t depend on the relative humidity being one way or the other.

What’s the conclusion?

Households should employ both air purifiers and humidifiers.

Both work to make your home a much healthier breathing space and are not exclusive of one another.

Finally, even though it may sound like I’m suggesting a air purifier and humidifier combo,

Those machines are more humidifier than air purifier and you can only get about the same amount of use from them as you do a humidifier.

The best solution is to own a good humidifier and own a separate air purifier.

Can You Put Essential Oils in a Humidifier? (Hint-Yes You Can)

Aromatherapy and Essential oils have for quite some time been the buzzword in the alternative healing world. The rediscovery of the benefits and the medicinal properties of essential oils has led to great popularity and widespread search for the perfect way to get the best use out of the oils.

A humidifier would seem to be the easiest way to distribute the oils given that it already has all the components that make up a essential oil diffuser.

But that has led to some surprising information when it comes to humidifiers.

Can you put essential oils in a humidifier?

You can absolutely put essential oils in a humidifier provided it’s the right type of humidifier. Many humidifiers come equipped with an essential oil tray. Choosing a humidifier that is essential oil ready is a easy choice when you are in the market for a humidifier and a diffuser.

But what if you already have a humidifier?

When can you not use essential oils in a humidifier?

Not all humidifiers are made to be used with essential oils.
Though most and more the popular brands like Levoit and TaoTronics have begun to include the aromatherapy tray as a basic accessory, most of the humidifiers you see in the vitamin department of Walmart or Dollar store are basic low cost water misters that use cheap plastic.

1.  Cheap Plastics

Humidifiers seem to be the perfect solution for not only humidifying your room but being able to get the benefits of the essential oils at the same time. But unfortunately with some types of humidifiers, that is just not the case.

The plastic that the basic humidifier without a essential oil tray is not made to withstand the corrosive oils that are put in essential oil scents.

You will find if you put essential oils in the basic big box store humidifier, that the plastic inside of the humidifier will begin to crack and eventually crack open.

Granted, even though these humidifiers maybe made cheaply, they or also not very expensive.

2.  Clogging

Putting oil into a humidifier is asking for your humidifier to eventually clog up. Even though  most essential oil may seem to have a watery texture, they are still mixed with a carrier oil even if lightly so.

Eventually, if the plastic doesn’t crack open, you will have to deal with your nozzle getting clogged.

Oil and water do not mix.

3.  Warm mist humidifiers

Essential oils are not meant to be boiled and heating them will diminish their healing effects.
Warm mist vaporizers heat the water to a boiling point.
You might think because the water gets so hot that the likelihood of clogging would not be an issue when adding oil to the water. That’s a Good point.
But it doesn’t negate the fact that heating the essential oils can reduce the benefits of using them in the first place.
Warm mist vaporizers like the Vicks vaporizer actually have a tray to put the Vicks ointment.

4.  Timer limitations

Essential oils are not meant to be breathed in continuously. In fact, 15 minutes is about to limit that you want to diffuse an essential oil.

Most humidifiers do not come with built-in timers, and if they do, then there is a good chance that they already have a proper aromatherapy tray included with them.

The basic cool mist humidifier is a “just add water” and turn it on till the water runs out type of humidifier.

And that is what it is made for, to humidify the room.

Once you add essential oils to the mix, then you have to set a limit on how long you’re going to use the humidifier or else risk overdoing it with the essential oils.

Which reduces the amount of time that you’re using the humidifier to do the job it was made for, which is add humidity to the air.

A vicious circle.

5.  Climate

The need for aromatherapy without the need of a humidifier.

Humidifiers are seasonal. And for most people, they’re only useful for about half of the year. Why is that? The climate.

There are certain times of the year when adding more humidity to your air is not only not needed, will make you feel uncomfortable to say the least.

Even If you could use a humidifier to disperse essential oils without it having any negative effect so ever on the humidifier,

You would still be limited by the fact that humidifiers are not needed all year and you cannot use the humidifier without it humidifying.

Conclusion

The Best policy is just to get the right humidifier that is made to be combined with the diffuser or to buy a humidifier and a diffuser separately.

I lean towards the latter.

Why?

Diffusers are very small and they are made to disperse essential oils correctly.

They’re much more mobile than a humidifier because of their size, and there are different types of diffusers that do not require adding water at all.

Not only that, the price of a diffuser without all the bells and whistles is about 10 bucks and it will properly diffuse my essential oils, which do cost a lot, without over doing it or wasting them.

Lagunamoon Premium Essential Oils Set 20 Pcs

View on Amazon

Determined to go ahead?

This would be the part of the article where I tell you that the only way to get a humidifier to work with essential oils is to buy the property humidifier that has the essential oil trade built in.

And these are your three choices…$$$ ChaChing

But the truth is, there are many ways to get humidifiers to work for you more than just to add moisture to the air.

There are also more ways to use essential oils with humidifiers other than to drop them right into the water.

1.  Cotton Ball

Put the essential oil on a cotton ball and place it over the misting nozzle at the top of the humidifier.
Put the cotton ball directly on the nozzle, then add a couple of drops of essential oil to the cotton. Turn the humidifier on, and reap the benefits.

The reason you should put the cotton on the nozzle first is that the smell of essential oils is very potent if you get it on your hands, it tends to stay with you for a long while.

Also, it’s way better to start small with the amount essential oil you use, cuz a little goes a long way with essential oils. And you can always add an extra drop or two if you need.

2.  Who needs a store-bought humidifier?

In my house growing up, grandma just put a pot of water on the furnace or on the stove and added eucalyptus to it. Easy peasy. Let the water simmer to it needs to be refilled, then start over.

3.  Lemon peels

Adding lemon peels to your humidifier water
will create a fresh fragrance to your home and also have an effect on your demeanor. Lemon is also a great all natural residue remover.

Summary

Can you use essential oils in a humidifier? The answer is yes. There are many humidifiers that are essential oil ready and contain everything needed to operate as both a humidifier and a diffuser.

But there are also a ton of cheaply made humidifiers that will crack because of the corrosive nature of essential oils. 

So if you want the convenience of using a humidifier with essential oils then be sure that the humidifier you purchase is built for it.

And remember just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

Humidifiers are typically appliances that only get a lot of use in the winter months. Essential oils are presumably something that you want to be able to use all year long.

In the long run, it is probably, in my opinion is that it is better just to purchase a separate diffuser. Not only is it made for the job, it isn’t climate dependent.

And the bottom line is, diffusers are one of the cheapest appliances you can purchase.
It’s the essential oils themselves, that get you in the wallet.

Does Air Innovations Offer the Best Humidifier?

Does Air Innovations Offer the Best Humidifier?

Could be. At least among the best.

Skip the Article and check it out on Amazon- Click Here

The one stand out feature of air innovations humidifiers that really sets it apart from the rest of the pack is that they build their humidifiers from anti microbial plastic.

Mold and germs growing inside of a humidifier is the Achilles heel of the humidifier industry.

It’s the one issue with humidifiers that makes them a risk to have in the home.

But with new techniques like building a humidifier out of mold resistant plastic,
Humidifiers are starting to be built on a whole other level.

The Air Innovations MH-908 is exactly what I’m talking about.

Some of the Highlights that make this humidifier so amazing are:

  • 5 mist settings- including low, medium, high, Supreme, and Turbo
  • 120 hours without having to refill water
  • Covers up to 700 square feet
  • Sleek original design
  • Top fill
  • Directional nozzle
  • Adjustable humidistat With Auto Start and Shut Off
  • Ceramic filter that never needs replacing
  • Whisper quiet
  • Aromatherapy tray.
  • Antimicrobial plastic that prevents bacteria from growing.

This humidifier also feature something called a dual atomizer they can deliver 200% more humidity for the extra dry rooms in your house. Essentially it’s a long extension that helps the Mist centralize into the room quicker and easier.

Who knew that humidifiers could have so many options?

One of the things that really stands out to me about the air innovations MH 908 is the choice of mist levels you can choose from. Most of the humidifiers I’ve been around are high and low, get what you get, appliances.

Air innovations has five different Mist settings including supreme and turbo.

What is the turbo setting on the air innovation humidifier?

It’s an extra powerful misting setting that works with the extension. It’s saturates your air with moisture for 40 minutes then turns off and the humidifier automatically switches to the Supreme mode.

If you find that you still need turbo mode after 40 minutes, you’ll have to wait for 20 minutes to turn it back on.

Turbo… Its worth mentioning again.

This humidifier also is completely Auto set and forget for 5 days at a time. Built-in humidistat will monitor the humidity and turn the humidifier up or down as needed.
The tank holds enough water to last for 5 days without having to refill the basin.

The physical design of air innovations is also one of the most instantly recognizable traits.

This company goes out of its way to design a unique appliance that will add to the decor of a room.

Their unique shape look more like part of the design of the room instead of the standard boxy and oval humidifiers you usually see.

No replacement filters. Replacement filters are an expected expense that comes with purchase of a new humidifier.

This humidifier however, does not require any replacement filters ever. It has a ceramic filter that is easily hand washed.

Another issue that comes up frequently with devices like humidifiers is the noise they make.

Personally I always thought that the white noise that a humidifier makes is comforting when I don’t feel good and it is an added feature that goes along with misting the air.

But turns out, that is not a characteristic that most people like to have in a humidifier.

Not to worry… This air innovations humidifier is extremely quiet.

 

 

Downsides. Yes they’re are a few.


1.There is no remote control

These days every thing comes with the remote. It kind of doesn’t make too much sense that a humidifier with so many setting capacities would not come with a remote control to be able to dial between the settings without getting up to push a button.

2. Doesn’t have the capacity to work with Alexa.

Another feature you find in just about every arena these days is the smartphone capacity of being able to monitor your humidifier or other device with your phone.

Fortunately you can turn any of your appliances into a smart appliance by plugging it into a smart plug.

3.The aromatherapy function requires specific air innovations aroma pads.

Aromatherapy and essential oils are always “a do or do not do” question when it comes to humidifiers.

Hint: The simple answer is that oil and water do not mix so putting anything oily into the water of a humidifier is only asking for it to be clogged up eventually.

So most humidifiers that double as diffusers have a aromatherapy tray that requires their specific brand of scented pads to be used.

That’s the case with the Air Innovations also.  Expect to pay about $15.00 for a box of refills. And that’s per scent. Check here for the price on Amazon.

Why Does my Humidifier Smell Like Fish? (9 Easy Solutions)

Why Does my Humidifier Smell Like Fish?


A fishy odor coming from a humidifier is an indication that there is mold and mildew somewhere inside the humidifier. Stagnant water is typically present when a humidifier is smells like fish or urine.

If you have a humidifier that has a unpleasant smell emanating from it, you can be sure a deep cleaning is needed. The humidifier should unplugged and carefully taken apart and washed thoroughly.

You should consider soaking each part in hot water. A dash of bleach added to the water will help kill any lingering bacteria. If you have a humidifier that is dishwasher safe, then by all means, take that route.

Other complaints about odors coming from a humidifier usually are related to the smell of plastic burning or just the smell of burning.

The smell of plastic burning from the humidifier can be the simple smell off-gassing from the plastic heating up for the first few times if the humidifier is new.  A smell that should very quickly wear off after a few uses.

On the other hand, is humidifier is not new, then there is a problem with overheating.

In that case, a inspection should be done around the humidifier to see if you find any type of visible burn marks or plastic warping. The power cord should also be inspected to make sure that it is not burning at the outlet.

If there is a problem with the power going to a specific outlet, you can easily plug the humidifier into a different outlet that is on a different circuit and see if you get the same type of burning smell. If you do, then your humidifier is to blame. If you don’t, then your own electrical system is to blame.

Portable humidifiers typically only use about 30 to 50 w. Very little energy, and not enough to trip a breaker. Burning is not natural.

Humidifier Hacks for Smelly Humidifiers

People have tried all types of solutions and additives to put in humidifiers to keep them from smelling and help add a fragrance to the room through the use of a humidifier.

Some make a lot of sense and work great, others not so much.

Caution: Humidifiers have a lot of working parts that need to have a clear pathway for water to flow. Anything you put into a humidifier that can clog up a nozzle for instance is a No-No.

Humidifiers that can be used for aromatherapy and essential oils have a separate compartment to put those items.
The reason is that they are oily and oil does not mix with water.

The result of adding essential oils directly into the water of a humidifier is the likelihood of clogging up the waterways needed inside of the humidifier for it to work properly.

Can you put Vicks in the humidifier?

Vicks is a perfect example of a product that should not be added to the water of a humidifier. The gummy texture of Vicks will clog up a humidifier very quickly.

But on the other hand, if you use a Vicks humidifier that has a separate compartment to put the Vicks salve, then the combination is an excellent means of moistening the air and adding the medicated aroma of Vicks that can help you breathe better and relieve congestion.

“The point is no oily or gummy anything should be added into the water of a humidifier.”

But there are things you can put into the water of a humidifier to help keep the humidifier fresh and clean and also add an extra ambience to a rooms existing atmosphere.

Can I put perfume in my humidifier?

Adding perfume or cologne to the water in a humidifier is a excellent and convenient way to add a fresh scent to the air while you’re humidifying it.

Do not use any type of perfumes that have a oily texture to them though. Most perfumes in colognes are alcohol-based and do not have anything in them that will clog a humidifier.

The caveat of putting perfume in the water of your humidifier is to start off slow and only add a few sprays or squirts and then see what kind of difference it makes. If you need more you can always add a little more. Not as easy to take some out. You’ll end up having to dilute the water by dumping some out which will be a waste of perfume and water.

Can I put bleach in my humidifier?

Adding a small amount of bleach to the water of a humidifier is a great way to reduce the amount of time it takes for mold and bacteria to take root inside of the water basin.
Remember A little dab will do you when it comes to bleach. The ideal is to add only enough bleach to aid in keeping the humidifier cleaner.
Too much can give you a headache and many people are very sensitive to the smell of bleach.

So be cautious not to overdo it and start off very light and only add a little more in steps as needed.

Many humidifiers brands suggest adding a drop of bleach into the water basin of their humidifiers. So it is a common practice.

Can I put lemon in my humidifier?

Lemon is a great additive to put in the water basin of humidifier. Not only does lemon have very many natural cleaning agents in it that will help reduce and keep the amount of mold and bacteria that can take root in a humidifier down, it also will add a fresh lemony citrus scent to your room when the humidifier is running.

Lemon scent is one of the most air freshening and odor killing and reducing scents there is. Many household cleaners come in lemon scent for just that reason.

It only makes sense that adding lemon scent to a humidifier makes good sense.

Can you put vinegar in a humidifier?

Vinegar is a all natural mold inhibitor and mold and bacteria cleanser that makes a great additive to put in your humidifier water.

Vinegar also has its own medicinal properties that can aid in the loosening of chest congestion when you breathe it.

And a lot of people do not realize that in a Coke vs Pepsi type of challenge between bleach and vinegar, the vinegar was better at cleaning mold then bleach. And has a much better success rate at cleaning mold that is below the surface.

How much vinegar do you add to the humidifier water? The answer is two you can smell it. Nobody likes the overpowering smell of vinegar, so starting off small and adding a little till you get just the right amount is the best way to add vinegar to your humidifier.

Can I add baking soda to my humidifier?

Baking soda is a great odor absorbing substance that can be added to the water basin of a humidifier to reduce the musty smells that can come from a humidifier.

Baking soda also has a cleaning element to it that will help break down and rid your humidifier of mold and bacteria.

When it comes to adding baking soda to your humidifier, you should check your owner’s manual because baking soda has an abrasive texture to it and can cause erosion in certain cases.

Can I put vanilla extract in my humidifier?

Vanilla extract should not be put directly into the water of a humidifier because of its oily texture. Oil and water do not mix. The result will be oil clogging up the necessary waterways that your humidifier requires for working appropriately.

Can I put Downy in my humidifier?

Putting Downy in a humidifier will not provide any extra benefit to the humidifier because it is a fabric softener. It will also not add any benefit to the air quality since air lacks the capacity be softened.

But many air fresheners come in Downy smell and any problem that could arise from adding fabric softener to the water in your humidifier is very minimal because fabric softener dissolves in water very well.

Can you put hydrogen peroxide in a humidifier?

Hydrogen peroxide is a inexpensive alternative to adding commercial mold inhibitors to your humidifier water.

On top of being a mold inhibitor and cleaning agent, hydrogen peroxide also has
an enzyme type property that will help eliminate the smell of urine often associated with humidifier water.

One of the Great DIY humidifier hacks is adding a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to your humidifier water every time you fill it up.

Summary

Humidifiers are meant to add moisture to the air as a means of relieving the symptoms that often arrive with dry and arid conditions. But when they add more to your air, as in a fishy, moldy, and even a urine smell, you’ve got a problem with mold and bacteria growing in and around your machine.

But there are solutions to keeping any humidifier smells at bay and getting the right results that were intended with the humidifier in the first place.

The main thing to remember when adding anything to your humidifier water is that it has to dissolve in water and or mix well with water.

Anything that has an oily or gummy texture to it like essential oils or medicinal salves like Vicks can clog up your humidifier and make it ineffectual to do the job of moistening the air it is intended for.

But there are some great additives that you can put right into humidifier water, and most you probably have in your house already.

Many people get great results from putting all natural bacteria and mold inhibitors like vinegar, lemon, and peroxide right into the water basin of their humidifier.

Other items like cologne, perfume, and even fabric softener like Downey can turn the humidifier into an excellent combination air moisturizer and deodorizer.

We hope you found something in this article that you can use or spur your own imagination for ways that you can utilize your humidifier.

How to Choose The Right Humidifier

Humidifiers can be a lifesaver during the winter months when the air is extra dry.

Which can lead to all types of symptoms including difficulty breathing, dry mouth, dried and bloody noses as well as exasperate COPD and snoring.

Picking the right humidifier can be a little on the daunting side because of the wide selection and the amount of bells and whistles that can be purchased.

So what exactly do you need in a humidifier?

Of course certain features are necessary and many features can be considered necessary to the individual user.

But the main features that most people look for in a humidifier can be rounded up into just a few.

We will try to give you an ideal of exactly what you’re going to want to look for in a humidifier.

Quickly Jump to the Feature You’re Looking For:

Type

There are more than one type of humidifier. The main ones being the cool mist humidifier and the warm mist humidifier. The most popular is the Cool Mist Humidifier.

Cool mist humidifiers do exactly what they sound like. They emit a cool mist into the air to balance out the humidity levels in your room.

Mayo clinic has a popular web page that they report that cool mist humidifiers are more effective when dealing with cold symptoms.

  But cool mist humidifiers do not typically offer the capacity to add any type of essential oil or menthol cold additive that warm mist humidifiers do.

Combination warm and cool mist humidifiers are a good solution if you prefer the Best of both worlds.

The type of humidifier also includes the way the machine actually humidifies the room.

The 3 techniques primarily used are:

1.  Misting

2.  Ultrasonic. Ultrasonic humidifiers work through vibration that fills the air with water droplets by shaking.

3.  Vaporizing- These heat water to a boiling point to create steam.

Size and Square Footage

Humidifiers come with different size tanks.

The size of the tank not only determines how large of a square space you can expect a humidifier to work in, it also determines how often the tank will have to be refilled.

Which if you get a tank that is too small,  you will soon know what kind of hassle you have walked into.

Tank sizes rain from .9 gallons all the way up to 3 to 5  gallons.
A humidifier with a small tank will run from about 12 -16 hours.

Ease of Use

A. Easily to clean

One of the biggest determining factor and how easy A humidifier is to use is how easily it can be disassembled.

The reason for this is, humidifiers must be cleaned often and thoroughly to ensure that mold and bacteria is not accumulating in or around the humidifier.

One of the main features that can determine which humidifier you purchase is whether or not the machine can you taking apart easily and washed in the dishwasher.


b. Easy to fill

One thing you may not think about till you actually get ready to fill the tank and in a humidifier is how easy is it to fill the tank with water. An easy to fill humidifier should come equipped with a strong handle and the ability to fit underneath your faucet.

Noise Levels

Noise an important factor to think about when getting ready to purchase a humidifier. One of the main reasons that noise can be a issue with humidifiers is how close in proximity that you use the humidifier when you are sleeping.

Humidifiers can offer a great deal of relief when you are suffering from cold symptoms or sinus, especially when you are sleeping. But the noise level of some humidifiers can also be a hindrance to sleeping well.

On the flip side, the humming of a humidifier near your bed can also be considered a blanket of white noise that can aid in getting rest.

Whether you are a white noise or no noise type of person, many humidifiers come with intelligent sleep mode to make your humidifier run even quieter.

Auto Shut Off

Auto shut is a feature that will shut off your humidifier when it runs out of water. It is a feature designed to give you peace of mind that your humidifier is not going dry and continuing to run while you are gone or asleep.

Mist Control

Many humidifiers on the market today have the capacity to control the amount of Mist coming from the machine. This is a feature that was rarely found in the typical drug store table top humidifier you would purchase yester year.

The direction of the Mist can also be dialed in with a easy 360° nozzle that can be pointed anywhere you like without having to completely move the humidifier.

Humidistat

Though adding humidity in a dry and arid climate can be a source of relief inside of your home, the opposite can be true when there is too much humidity. It is possible to add too much humidity to the air even when the humidity level outside is zilch.

Having a built-in humidistat and humidity sensor with auto on and off functions can keep the humidity in your home to the exact level you set it.

Aromatherapy Tray

Aromatherapy can add all types of benefits to your lifestyle and create a healthy atmosphere as well as medicinal properties to your airstream.

Many humidifiers come with a essential oil tray to add your favorite oils into the mist coming from your humidifier

Smart App

As you probably already guessed, humidifiers have moved into the age of smart technology along with every other type of device.

Many humidifiers give you the capacity to monitor the humidity in your home via your phone, as well as offer you the capacity to schedule and turn your humidifier on or off through a smart app.

Self Cleaning

Self cleaning humidifiers or another step into the future that are making humidifiers safer.
Materials like mold resistant plastic are being used in the construction of humidifiers to keep mold and bacteria from becoming a issue inside of your humidifier and your ambient air.

Other self cleaning humidifiers use ultraviolet light inside of the water tank.
Anti mold and bacteria additives are also sold, that can help keep the water in your humidifier from he coming a germ farm and in turn, creating a germ farm in the air you are breathing.