Humidifiers Archives - Page 13 of 14 -

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

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?

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
Size and Square Footage
Ease of Use
Noise
Auto Shut Off
Mist Control
Humidistat
Aromatherapy Tray
Smart App
Self Cleaning

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.

4 Best Humidifiers of 2021

Quickly compare humidifiers

Levoit Hybrid Ultrasonic

Levoit is known for great air purifiers. Fortunately that’s not the only thing they excel in.

The levoit classic 200 is a humidifier that can run for 40 hours before having to fill it up again.

It has three mist settings and a dual 360° nozzle to aim the Mist in any direction you want without having to move the whole humidifier.

It also has a aromatherapy tray to add in your favorite essential oils.

The noise level is also whisper quiet.

Pros- 40 hours of continuous use and a aromatherapy tray

Cons- no humidistat and no remote control.

Dyson am10 humidifier

The Dyson am10 contains a ultraviolet light the disinfects 99.9% of bacteria before the Mist is expelled into the room.

It has a high setting that can be used as a fan in the summer and censoring technology that will keep the humidity in the room even.

Typically Dyson gets the more on just about every appliance they design and build.
But this particular appliance has a ridiculous amount of bad reviews on Amazon.

At the price point that they sell this humidifier at, it can’t afford to have any downsides.

Pros- worry free and bacteria free noiseless humidification.

Cons- hard to clean and not as well constructed as you would expect for the price.

Honeywell HCM 350w germ-free cool mist humidifier

This is another humidifier that contains a UV light. Bacteria and mold production in humidifiers is one of the downsides of owning a humidifier. Solving this one issue can put a humidifier above the fold easily.

Honeywell have done just that, with this humidifier. Ultraviolet light contained in the humidifier kills 99.9% of the bacteria in the water before it has a chance to become part of the air you breathe.

This air purifier also has a large tank which holds one gallon of water and can run up to 24 hours on low. It’s evaporative technology makes it impossible to overhumidify a room which in itself removes the need for a humidistat.

It is also dishwasher safe and super easy to clean.

Pros- Bacteria free operation and dishwasher friendly.

Vicks Warm Mist vaporizer

Vicks vaporizer is a warm mist humidifier that is very good at what it does, which is to create warm steam.
It contains a tray to put Vick’s ointment or other menthol cold product.
The technology of how the machine create humidity by boiling water makes it antibacterial in nature.

Pros – Aromatherapy friendly and mold free operation.
Cons- create hot scalding water.

Do Humidifiers Cause Mold?

Mold spores are virtually everywhere that there is air, floating and searching for nutrients to take root.

And Mold and mildew is something you can find anywhere there is a source of water, food, and oxygen.

Do Humidifiers Cause Mold?

A humidifier meets the criteria for being a catalyst for mold growth and airborne bacteria in your home when:

It is poorly maintained
It is used when not needed
When it’s too Big
If it Leaks

The presence of mold in your home can not only cause damage to your house and structure, it can also exasperate allergies, and be a trigger for asthma.

According to one study, it can be a factor in the development of childhood asthma.

When mold goes unchecked, it can spread very fast and cause more damage than you may suspect.

This article will lay out 4 ways a humidifier can be responsible for mold.

1. Poorly Maintained Humidifier

Easily the number one way that a humidifier can cause mold production. Failure to keep a humidifier clean and filled with fresh water can create the idea setup of water, dirt, oxygen, and low light that mold can flourish in.

Once mold has taken root in a poorly kept humidifier, the humidifier becomes a distributor of mold spores throughout your room and house.

According to Pubmed, Humidity droplets act like microscopic containers that can carry bacteria and viruses much further than they can travel without the aid of humidity.

Another aspect of a poorly maintained humidifier is leaving water in the basin when the humidifier is not being ran.
Mold can develop in standing water in as little as 24 to 48 hours.

Imagine turning the humidifier on and running it after the water and it has been standing for a long period of time.

You’re just asking for a room full of mold spores ready to attack your respiratory system and your walls and ceiling.

2. Using a humidifier when the climate does not warrant it.

Excessive humidity in the air can be a absorbent for the pollution and spores already in the air. As stated in this article already, humidity droplets can provide a vehicle for germs and bacteria to to be able to travel long distances.

When the relative humidity is already on the high side, adding more humidity to the air by using a humidifier is like pouring fuel on a fire.

Moisture is the primary food source for dust mites. Dust mites along with mold spores are two of the most common household allergies

Adding extra humidity to an already humid area with a humidifier only provides extra water and nutrients for mold and dust mites to thrive.

Rooms like bathrooms or kitchens tend to already have an ample amount of humidity because of showers and baths and boiling water and dishes being soaked.

Using a humidifier in these conditions can add too much humidity to the air which can cause mold growth on the walls and allergies to kick up.

Exhaust fans are usually installed in bathrooms and in kitchens for this very reason.

3. Too Big of a Humidifier

Along the same lines as using a humidifier when you do not need it, is using a humidifier that is too large for the space you have it in.

Placing a humidifier that is meant to be used in a large living area in a small bedroom can add to too much humidity to the air which can result in mold growth especially in a room that is dirty.

Measuring the humidity and providing the right amount of humidity back into the air is key to getting the benefits out of a humidifier.

But overdoing it can result in mold. If you measure your humidity (a hydrometer can be purchased very inexpensively) and it is already between the 30 and 50% mark. Adding extra humidity can put you into the range of causing mold somewhere in your home.

4. Leaking Humidifier

One of the main ingredients that mold needs to start growing water. Mold inside of the house is always connected to an inappropriate source of water somewhere. Usually it’s a leaking pipe or a leaky roof.

But a humidifier, because it has a basin for holding water, can also be a source of inappropriate moisture if it is leaking.
If the table or counter where are the humidifier is sitting has water around it, then there is a chance that the humidifier is leaking. And just as easily as mold can take root in the moisture caused by a leaky pipe, it can take root from the water leaking out of the humidifier.

Most people are not going to let mold grow right on the counter in front of them. But it may not be as easy to see when it has drip down the back or sides of a counter top or table.

Many modern humidifiers already take all of these situations that can occur when a humidifier is in use into account.

For instance, there are self cleaning, germ-free humidifiers that are already on the market that use technologies like ultraviolet light and bacteria and mold resistant plastic and their production.

1. There are also many additives that you can buy the place in the water of the humidifier to reduce mold and bacteria growth inside of the humidifier.

2. Many of today’s humidifiers also come with features like auto shut off and built in hygrometers and humidistats
that measure the humidity inside of the room and turn off dehumidifier when the relative humidity entered in as a cutoff point is reached.

3. Safety features are also installed to let you know if you have a leaky basin or if your water compartment is not seated correctly and is leaking.

4.There are also many ways that you can communicate with your appliances through smart plugs that can be purchased that allow you to schedule when your humidifier is on and off and allow you to turn it on from a remote location.

The only feature I have not seen on a humidifier yet is one that does not allow the humidifier to run when the water has become tainted.
Sounds like something that needs to happen. Maybe you can be the one to invent it.

DIY Humidifier

Why Does My Room Smell Musty?

Musty is a word that is sometimes used to describe the feeling you get from a stale or a stuffy room. It’s usually a smell that you just can’t quite put your finger on, but you know that there is something that is not quite right. But in most cases that “not quite right feeling” is the presence of mold and mildew.

Why Does My Room Smell Musty?

A musty smell in a room is an indicator that you have moisture coming in somewhere that along with dirt or grime has become a source of food and nutrition for mold and mildew to take root. Mold can take root and grow very fast when given the right ingredients. A musty smell should be taken seriously as a warning that there is an issue with mold close by.

I’ve had a personal experience with this.

In my neighborhood there was an issue with heavy rains that washed over the curbs and went up the driveway and eventually seeped into the backdoor of the house.

It didn’t seem like much at the time so we really didn’t do too much about it besides put some towels down to soak up the water. And it was the very back of the house that doesn’t get a lot of traffic anyway.

A couple of months later I noticed a rotten smell coming from that area.

I pulled out a bookshelf that was in that corner and pulled up the edge of the carpet only to find that dark green and black mold had spread heavily underneath the carpet and had made its way all over the wall and the back of the shelf, including all the books on it.

It was pretty shocking to see how much the mold had taken over.

We had to take the carpet up and remove and replace the drywall on that side of the room.

Luckily the mold did not turn out to be the dangerous Stachybotrys or black mold.

All that to say that if you have a musty smell in your room, it’s a situation that you should take seriously.

Mold can do more destruction than you may be giving it credit for. And do it much faster than you may think.

Mold can also exasperate allergies and is known to be a trigger for asthma.

What you are looking for in your room when you have a musty smell is an inappropriate source of moisture.

According to the National Library of Medicine , Mold spores are practically everywhere and there is really no way to get away from them or keep them out of your house. But without an adequate source of moisture, they cannot grow and colonize into a problem.

So the fundamental thing you’re looking for in the case of a musty smell is moisture and the supply of that moisture.

Why Does My Room Smell Musty in The Morning?

What could be some reasons your room smells musty?

Wet carpet
Wet drywall
Window seals
Excessive humidity
Dew
Leaves
Moldy items in trash
Moldy food laying around
Mold inside of the HVAC duct work

1. Wet carpet

Remember that you are looking for the source of the moisture.

If you have wet carpet then the ideal is to figure out why it is wet.

Some reasons may be as simple as a soaking wet towel laying on the carpet or has there been a big spill that was not cleaned up?

If you have a large area that is damp, then there may be a leak that has sprung from a pipe beneath the flooring.

it will be worthwhile for you to peel the carpet back and make sure that your floor is not soaking wet beneath.

And if it is, you should make it a priority to have it fixed as soon as possible to avoid further damage and mold growth.

2. Wet drywall

It can be a smell can be coming from the walls if a pipe inside of the wall has busted. Examine the walls and see if you can find any areas where they are bubbling, swelling, or peeling which would indicate that moisture has gotten inside of the drywall.

3. Window seals

One area that moisture can get into the house easily is the windows. If the windows are not sealed properly, you can find moisture creeping in around the window. If it has been going on for a long time, you will also find the frame around the window rotting.

4. Excessive humidity

If you live in an area with a climate that is prone to high humidity, you may find that it is the humidity that is causing moisture to build up inside of your room. If this is the case, then mildew is probably showing up on your walls or ceiling somewhere.

This is the case in many basements. The level of humidity inside of the room causes condensation to build on the walls and create a natural food source for mold and mildew.

The best solution in that case is to use a dehumidifier to pull moisture out of the air so that it does not have a chance to become a problem in the form of mold.

5. Dew

Many people claim to be more concerned with the dusty smell in their house in the morning time.

That morning musty smell is usually associated with the moisture that develops in the air in the early morning hours.

It’s the moisture that is commonly known as dew.

Dew can help turn the volume up on the smell of mold and mildew in the morning.

6. Leaves

Leaves, specifically in the Autumn season can pile up in gutters and around the house and make an excellent environment for mold to take root. And once the mold has colonized inside of the leaves, any sort of rustling around caused by the wind or by kicking the leaves can unleash mold spores into the air.

7. Moldy items in trash

Sometimes a musty smell is coming from a moldy item that has been thrown away and just sitting there stinking. The trash can is one of the first places to look when you smell something musty in your room.

8. Moldy food laying around

Moldy food can cause a very pungent musty smell when it is laying out or in the trash can. Items like half eaten hamburgers and apple cores are best disposed of in the main kitchen area where the trash is taken out more frequently.
If you have a musty smell in your room, looking for any food that has been left out to mold is a good place to start.
Another place that you can find moldy musty smells is in the kitchen sink where the garbage disposal is. If the garbage disposal has not been cleaned properly in a while, you are liable to smell moldy food coming from there.

9. Mold in HVAC ductwork

If there is mold in your ductwork, you can be sure that it will be distributed throughout the house every time the heating or air conditioning comes on.

According to this study, mold can be commonly found inside of an air handler, specifically the wheel fan blades, the ductwork, and the cooling coil fins.

Another source of mold coming into the house through the ductwork is the evaporative coils. Dirty evaporative coils contain all the ingredients for mold to flourish and find its way inside of the house.

If you have a musty smell coming from your HVAC ductwork, cleaning the evaporative coils located on the outside section of your unit is a good place to start to reduce the volume of mold spores coming in.

Another trouble area for HVAC systems when it comes to mold is the drip pan. If the drip pan is not draining sufficiently, water can build up in the pan and become a source of mold.

Clearing any blockage from the drip pan to the outside drainage is also a good way to ensure that you do not have mold growing and coming in through your HVAC.

UV systems are often used to target areas like evaporative coils and drip pans so that mold does not have a chance to colonize and become a problem in your air quality.

4 Types of Germ-Free Humidifiers

Germ Free Humidifiers. It’s safe to say that humidifiers are one of the most maintenance heavy appliances you can have around the house.

Not only do they require refilling, they have a tendency to develop a pesky little problem called mold that if isn’t kept at bay can make the humidifier a air pollution problem all on its own.

It only makes sense that someone has been thinking about this problem and trying to come up with the solution to keep humidifiers from developing mold and bacteria or at least not as easily as it has been known to in the past.

4 types of germ-free humidifiers

1.Vaporizer

There has already been a self-cleaning humidifier available for years.

It’s called a vaporizer. And it cleans the water through boiling every time it is used.

Vaporizers humidify the air by adding steam which is done by boiling water.

The main issue with dirty humidifiers is the mold and bacteria that grow so easily in and around the appliance.

Standing water in a humidifier is also a invitation for mold growth.

But since vaporizers boil the water before it is emitted into the air as steam, any bacteria, germs, or mold is killed in the process before it ever has a chance to be coming part of your breathable air.

Another plus of using steam to moisturize the air is that it lends itself to adding a essential oil like eucalyptus or a medicinal product like Vicks to help open up your airways when you’re feeling congested.

Cons of Vaporizers

Though Vaporizers may have seemed to answer the problem of using a dirty humidifier,

they also have their issues that make them not as desirable for a lot of people.

First, like we’ve already pointed out, they bring water to a boiling point.

Which brings up a safety issue of keeping them around small children or even some nosy pets.

They do get very hot to the touch and if one is turned over, the temperature of the water is scalding.

Secondly, steaming the air heats up the room and makes it feel balmy.

And that may not be exactly the type of relief you were looking for when you are feeling under the weather.

Even the Mayo clinic suggest that warm mist humidifiers or vaporizers do not give the type of soothing relief from cold symptoms that a cool mist humidifier does.

Vicks is pretty much the top of the line for vaporizers and warm mist humidifiers. Not to mention they provide a anti congestion medicine to use as an additive with your vaporizer.

2. UV Humidifier

A humidifier with an ultraviolet light targeting mold and bacteria before they are able to pollute your air quality is a logical step in the hunt for a germ-free humidifier.

UV lights have been used to help reduce mold and bacteria as well as viruses on air purifier filters as well as treat the air through a tiO2 catalyst for quite some time.

The use of a ultraviolet lamp inside of a humidifier water tank eliminates the need for using distilled or de-mineralized water because the UV will kill 99.99% of bacteria and mold in the water that passes by it.

Another benefit of ultraviolet technology and humidifiers is the reduction of the white sediment dust known in cool mist air humidifiers.

Cons of UV humidifiers

Of course there is the expense of replacing the UV light approximately once a year, but since the humidifier does not require anything but tap water, the expense will probably be somewhat offset.

Honeywell HCM 350W is the standard in ultraviolet humidifiers.

3.Humidifier made with Antimicrobial plastic

If there were only a material that you construct a humidifier out of, that would resist the growth of of mold and germs..

Turns out there is.

Antimicrobial plastic is a type of plastic that has an antimicrobial additive that helps keep plastic products cleaner by inhibiting the production of mildew, bacterium and mold.

Antimicrobial plastic is a very exciting new technology that has the potential of completely changing the face of humidifier, dehumidifier, and air conditioning.

In a independent lab test, containing a sample of untreated plastic and a sample of plastic that has the antimicrobial additive, MRSA was added to both samples and incubated for 24 hours. The results were that the bacteria untreated plastic actually grew exponentially from 50,000 to over 500,000.
The antimicrobial plastic on the other hand had 99.9% fewer bacteria than the untreated plastic.

Air innovations are known for their stylish looks and different designs. Their model mh-71b is a germ-free humidifier that uses antimicrobial plastic in its construction. Give it a look.

4. Anti bacterial water additives

Maybe the simplest way to keep your humidifier from becoming a mold and bacteria germ farm is to use an antibacterial additive in the water.

This isn’t a new ideal, adding colloidal silver to humidifier water is a practice used in the alternative health industry for a long time.

Colloidal silver is said to have antimicrobial properties that help keep bacteria from growing in the water and also adds a natural antibiotic that is ingested when breathe in.

There may be some truth to this since most of the antimicrobial additives that you can purchase to put in your humidifier water have silver as one of the ingredients.

Antimicrobial additives are prepackaged pods and slow release containers that you put right into the humidifier tank to help keep bacteria and mold from taking root in the tank.

They are also an accessory that are sold with other types of any germ humidifiers like the ones we’ve already talked about including the ultraviolet and the humidifiers that are made from antimicrobial plastic construction.

Protech PC2 cleaning balls can kill up to 99% of bacteria and help protect your humidifier from algae, mildew and mold, and the slimy buildup you often find and your ultrasonic humidifier.

Guardian technologies also offers a product called Aqua Sticks that is a similar product that you add directly to the tank on your humidifier. The main ingredient in the Aqua Stick is Silver ion.

There is one major downside to using a Silver additive in your humidifier water and that is it only works in a ultrasonic humidifier.

Apparently the additive needs the extra catalyst of vibration to get the best performance out of it.

Recap

Humidifiers are particularly heavy on the maintenance side as far as appliances go because of the preposition of mold growth that happens very easily with inside of a humidifier.

This makes the need for a germ-free humidifier great.

In this article we have identified four ways in which a humidifier can be germ-free or less prone to bacteria growth.

1.Vaporizers use boiling water to steam the air, boiling kills any microorganisms in the water before it can become a problem

2.UV humidifiers contain a ultraviolet lamp that targets the mold and bacteria in the water and kills it before it can become part of the moisture emitted into the air.

3.Antimicrobial plastic is a material that resists the production of mold and bacteria as well as viruses.

The use of antimicrobial plastic in the construction of the humidifier can greatly reduce the threat of mold and germs that can easily become a threat with a standard humidifier.

4.Lastly there antibacterial additives that can be used in ultrasonic humidifiers that reduce the ability of mold and bacteria to take root.

6 Common Mistakes People Make When Using a Humidifier

Humidifiers typically come out of the closet during the dry winter months when the heater is running all the time and the air inside the house is stale and arid from having all the windows and door shut tight.

The main purpose of a humidifier is to add moisture back into the air when the relative humidity is low like in a heated home during the winter.

Dry air can create all types of symptoms including bloody noses, dry throat and dry cough as well as dry out your skin in exasperate topical skin conditions like eczema.

But as you probably already know, humidifiers have a dark side if they are not well maintained.

What are some of the common mistakes people make when using a humidifier?

1.Poor maintenance

Easily the most common mistake people make is not cleaning out the humidifier nearly as much is as needed.

Humidifiers especially in a hot house, can develop mold and bacteria inside them in a very short amount of time.

And since the whole purpose of a humidifier is to emit moisture droplets into the air,

when those droplets have bacteria and mold spores attached to them because of a poorly kept machine,

The humidifier is spitting out mold and bacteria along with the moisture that it is intended to be released.

And since molds for the bacteria in the air are a main source of household allergens… I think you get the point.

A dirty humidifier can easily be the source of your allergy symptoms rather than be the aid that it was meant to be.

2. Using tap water

It’s no secret that tap water has many unwanted chemicals that make it undesirable as a source of drinking water.

Tap water can contain Chlorine, Herbicides Mercury, Lead, and Fluoride just to name a few.

While the main point of using tap water in a humidifier is because the sediment left over from the tap water can help the production of mold,

There is the other side of it
That is when you are using water with so many contaminants in it to moisturize your air, you are in turn, inhaling a number of those contaminants as part of your air quality then.

The easiest way to avoid this is to use distilled water.

This is a controversial subject when it comes to humidifier do’s and don’ts.

And it could be argued that this is not a rule that applies to everyone since not everyone’s water supply is equally polluted or clean.

3. Excessive humidity

Humidity is not always your friend as you probably well know. Running a humidifier when you do not need it can cause the humidity to rise above, not only a comfortable place, bit a safe place in your home.

High humidity in the home is actually one of the main food sources for dust mites and mold.

Humidity droplets also can act like traveling containers that carry bacteria and viruses further through a room.

It is important to know the humidity level inside your home before you turn on and leave on a humidifier.

If you don’t already have a humidifier, consider buying one with a humidistat to measure the humidity.

If you have a humidifier already and it doesn’t have a humidistat, consider purchasing one to measure the relative humidity in your home to ensure that it is not exceed 40 to 50%. 40% being the more desirable.

4.Standing water

Standing water in a humidifier that is not being used can account for most of the bacteria and mold breeding in the unit.

If the water has been standing or even as little as 48 hours, you will probably see a film on top of the water we’re mold and algae are forming.

It’s important to dump the water out of the humidifier when it is not in use to avoid the humidifier becoming a germ farm.

Many people put a little bit of vinegar in their humidifier water to help prevent mold and bacteria from growing in the machine. Vinegar is a known bacteria inhibitor.

Apple cider vinegar is also known to have medicinal properties that can help alleviate congestion when it is combined with steam.

Adding apple cider vinegar to your vaporizer or warm mist humidifier is an easy way to help keep your unit clean and add extra value to your air moisturizer.

5. Improper Storage

Once the need for the humidifier is over and the air is back to its normal moisture consistency and everyone can breathe again in the house, the humidifier tends to be turned off and forgotten about.

But as as it is already been well established, mold and bacteria can easily grow inside of a humidifier making it a health hazard instead of a helpful device to increase humidity and help you breathe better.

Storing a humidifier right when it is not in use is important to keeping your humidifier working properly and safely.

When storing make sure that you thoroughly clean the humidifier and let it completely dry before it is put up.

Moisture is not the only prerequisite for mold, dark areas also have a big role.
When you store a damp humidifier and a dark spot, you were asking for mold to grow on and inside of the machine.

6. Cleaning before use

Even a humidifier that has been cleaned and stored properly can have nooks and crannies that did not exactly get completely dry before being stored.

If it is the first time for the season to be using the humidifier, it is important to thoroughly clean the unit before using it again.

Mold can be a resourceful plight they can find moisture in places you would not have thought.

Recap

Humidifiers can be one of the best and easiest devices that you can own to relieve symptoms related to dry air such as chapped lips, bloody noses, and scratching nasal passages.

But because of the way humidifiers work, they are predisposed for the breeding of mold and bacteria.

Putting an emphasis on the risk that a humidifier can create in your home and keeping your humidifier clean and clean and dry when it is not in use is very important to owning a humidifier.

Does a Humidifier Help With Snoring?

Does a humidifier help with snoring? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could find a miracle cure for the snorer next to you as you’re trying to get your own sleep at night.

Snoring not only interrupts the person sleeping near the snorer, you can also disrupt their sleep too.
It can put them in a state of waking up all night with a dry mouth, needing a drink of water, and never really ever getting into a deep sleep.

There are certain times when the air is hot and extra dry that a humidifier can help with snoring. But snoring is not dependent on the moistness of the air alone. And there or many other reasons why a person snores that a humidifier will do nothing for.

Sleeping with humidifier

When I was younger, I traveled with the music group, going up and down the highway, staying in a lot of different hotels.

My roommate most of the time was a guy that snored very loudly. He not only snored but he had severe sleep apnea which would be so violent that I thought he was choking to death many times.

He was and is overweight, not extremely, but a good 50 lbs. But the thing that made the whole thing so hard to handle was he would turn the heater up in the room and sleep in a pair of shorts in the winter.

( I’m the opposite. I’d rather put on some pajamas and turn the heater down. )

And as soon as he hit his pillow he was asleep which meant that I always was stuck trying to sleep with him snoring like a train.

As a result of our mismatched sleeping arrangement, I bought a humidifier and carried it around with my luggage.

At the time, it was really more about having some sort of white noise to drown out his snoring plus there was a cool breeze coming off of the Humidifier that would help combat the heater being turned up.

But an amazing thing happened, the humidifier I bought for my own peace of mind ended up having a huge impact on the amount and overall excessive volume of this guys snoring.

And I realized that if I would wait till he got to sleep and turn down the heater, the humidifier coupled with the cooler air would calm his eradicate sleeping down extremely.

Looking back at the situation these years later, I would have to say that him turning the heater up was drying the air out which was making it hard for him to breathe while he was sleeping.

By adding the humidifier, it was moistening his airways, helping him to breathe better.

Sleeping with the humidifier and turning the heat down made a huge difference.

Can you put a humidifier next to your bed?

Putting the humidifier next to your bed is the best place to get the maximum amount of benefit from it. Regardless of whether it’s a cool mist humidifier that emits a slight breeze or a warm mist humidifier with eucalyptus or Vicks in it, keeping the humidifier close to you while you’re sleeping is the ideal.

Do humidifiers help with sleep?

When the air is excessively dry which is usually the case when house is closed up and the heater is on, a cool mist humidifier will loosen the mucus up and help you sleep. And help keep you from waking up with a bloody or sore nose or chapped lips.

Should humidifier run all night?

There is no issue with the humidifier running all night as long as the indoor climate calls for it. If you are in the middle of a dry wintery season, you’ll probably want your humidifier running constantly.

Sleeping with humidifier risks.

The only risk of keeping your humidifier running all the time is it needs to be thoroughly washed every couple of days to make sure that mold and bacteria do not have a chance to take root inside of the machine.

And if the humidity is already at a good level in your room or house, adding more humidity could be excessive and eventually cause mildew or mold to begin to grow on your walls.

Is it safe to leave a humidifier on all night?

Sleeping with humidifier risks.

The main risk of using a humidifier regardless of whether you are sleeping or awake is that humidifiers must be kept clean.

A humidifier that continues to be ran without being cleaned and sterilized often can turn into a mold spore and bacteria distribution machine.

As where a humidifier maybe exactly what is needed to help you get a good night’s sleep and a rest from the exasperation of snoring,

Sleeping with a dirty humidifier may make it harder to sleep and snore and choke more as the bacteria and mold spores enter into your airway system.

Is it good to sleep with a humidifier?

If the climate inside your home warrants the humidifier being ran 24/7, then it is a good idea to keep it running even when you’re asleep.

Recap

Will a humidifier help with snoring?

Though there is not one single remedy to help keep someone from snoring, there are certain circumstances that a humidifier can help reduce snoring and help you get a better night’s sleep.

When the winter months have rolled in, and the temperature outside has dropped, the heater usually comes on and practically stays on for the whole season.

And with the heater comes hot dry air.

Dry hot air is hard on your respiratory system and dries out your nasal cavities as well as your throat and your lips.

All of these things combined can make getting a good night’s sleep without snoring hard to do.

During these times, adding moisture back to the air with a humidifier can be a great help to getting a good night’s sleep and even help reduce snoring.

Which can be good for you and the snorer. Because the truth is, you’re both probably having a hard time sleeping.
Also: How to Humidify Your House