Buyer's Guide
Some certain doubts and questions arise when you're looking for a product to buy. And so, in this buyer's guide, we will help you make a clear decision by answering these questions.
Do humidifiers clean the air?
One common question is if humidifiers work in cleaning the air. The answer is, humidifiers do not clean the air but work effectively in adding moisture to the atmosphere. It functions by evaporating water into steam which adds moisture or humidity to the room.
The central feature of this device is regulating the humidity level in your home, which helps you get rid of dry air that might affect your health. Hence, keeping the air in your home free from germs.
Can you sleep with a humidifier?
Yes. You can use a humidifier when sleeping because it controls the humidity in the room to help you have a sound sleep. There are also various benefits of using a humidifier while sleeping, such as it helps soften the skin, protects you from cold and flu, reduces nasal congestion, decreases snoring, etc.
But also, on the other side, excessive humidity might disturb your sleep because, when the temperature gets trapped inside a room, it will start getting hotter, which can cause you to sweat.
It is best to keep the humidity level at 30% - 50% to prevent fungi and germs from breeding inside your home.
How close can you sleep to a humidifier?
While it is beneficial to use a humidifier when sleeping, there are also certain precautions that you should take. It is best to keep a safe distance from the humidifier because the device's temperature increases with boiling water to produce steam, and so when it comes in contact or spills, it will cause injury.
For your safety, keep enough distance of at least three meters away from your bed.
How do you know if the air in your house is dry?
When your skin and lips become dry, or you have nasal irritation or itchy eyes, it can be an indication that the air in your house is dry. There can also be symptoms like having nosebleeds or waking up thirsty with a dry throat in the morning.
Can dry air make you sick?
Dry air means more exposure to bacteria, and it can adversely affect your health. It can cause respiratory problems, sinus, cold & flu, bronchitis and may also lead to asthma.
Where should you place a humidifier?
You can place the humidifier anywhere, depending on the size of the room or house. But most importantly, you should place it where there is low humidity. Using a hygrometer, you can check the humidity level in the room to know where moisture is needed.
But also considering safety, make sure that the place is dry, flat, and the stand or table is firm.
Can you put a humidifier on the carpet?
It is risky to put a humidifier on a carpet because it can wet the rug, which will result in growing moulds that can cause allergies or flu. Other than that, there are also high chances that you might accidentally trip and spill the water, which can damage the floor. Or, when the floor area around the humidifier gets moist, it can get slippery and cause falls.
What can you put in a humidifier to clean the air?
Since a humidifier is not an air purifier, it cannot clean the air because its function is to add moisture indoors to prevent you from breathing dry air. But on the bright side, there are a few steps that you can take to clean the air.
Here are some helpful tips from good housekeeping to ensure clean air in your home.
Can I put a fabric softener in my humidifier?
It can be very harmful to your health. A humidifier works best with water itself. It is for adding humidity in the air through steam to keep you away from germs, and it is not advisable to use any ingredients other than clean water.
According to research, harmful chemicals are present in fabric softeners that can lead to pancreatic cancer, respiratory irritations, nervous system disorder, etc. And this is a pretty good reason why you should avoid putting it in a humidifier.
Should you use a fan with a humidifier?
Yes. You can use a fan with a humidifier because it can help the air spread around the room that needs moisture.
We place the humidifier in a particular place, and so when it comes to spreading moisture around the room, the humidity does not evenly reach around the corners. It becomes limited, and the steam gets trapped in a particular area that can make it more humid and uncomfortable.
That being the case, a fan works excellent in accompanying the humidifier to distribute moisture equally around the room.
Read also: Best bedroom fans.
Does a humidifier help with allergies?
The steam that humidifiers release can be beneficial to treat allergies. Dry air is often the root cause of allergies, and so moisture can relieve you from allergies, keep your nasal passage clear and help you with sinusitis.
One should also note that humidity indoors is pretty high, and dust mites tend to breed around high humid areas, while mould growth can increase the humidity level, which are the common causes of allergies. And so, it is essential to use a humidifier at an ideal temperature to prevent unwanted bacteria.
Do humidifiers help with breathing?
Sometimes the weather conditions are not favourable to us and can cause coughing, cold, shortness of breath, sinuses, etc. So, in that case, a humidifier can moisten the air making it comfortable for you to breathe and recover faster. A humidifier can help in easing respiratory problems when the weather causes the air to dry out.
What's better for asthma, an air purifier or humidifier?
Both these appliances work great in improving the air in the room but are not the same. Air purifier filters polluted air and clean the room, while a humidifier adds moisture to the dry air.
To benefit from these devices requires regular maintenance and cleaning, or it might worsen your asthma. If you're planning to buy one, you should first seek professional advice to know which one will best work for you.
Read our Best Air Purifier Review.
Will a humidifier help with coughing at night?
A humidifier works effectively in relieving cough and congestion, especially at night when the condition worsens. By keeping the air moist, it can help you to get better sleep.
Do humidifiers help stop snoring?
Yes. Humidifiers can help you stop snoring because dry air can activate nasal congestion and irritation or make your throat and mouth dry, which is a common cause of snoring. It can add relief and prevent you from snoring.
Can I put Vicks in my humidifier?
The Vicks manufacturers (Procter & Gamble) cautions against the use of Vicks in any humidifiers because it contains petrolatum that can irritate the respiratory system when inhaled. Vicks work excellent for relieving cold during winter but are not safe to use in a humidifier.
What do you put in the humidifier for a baby?
When it comes to babies, extra care is needed, and humidifiers are of great use. But one should only use clean water since babies have sensitive skin, and any chemicals might threaten their health.
Can you put Vicks in a humidifier for babies?
Vicks can be dangerous for babies, especially those under the age of two and so you should avoid putting Vicks in a humidifier.
Other Reviews
TaoTronics humidifiers, 6L ultrasonic cool mist humidifier with humidistat
Weighing 64 0unces, this TaoTronics comes with a large capacity of 6 litres. This cool-mist humidifier can produce mist for up to 60 hours and operates without making a sound that runs at 26db. Its wide opening makes it easy to clean, and the humidistat detects the room's humidity precisely and adjusts according to the room temperature.
Choose if:
You have a large home or office and want something that operates quietly, great for people sensitive to noises.
Pros:
- Auto shut-off
- 12-hour timer
- 360° nozzle
Cons:
- Big in shape and size
- Difficulty in checking the water level
Arovec AroMist-6000 cool mist ultrasonic air humidifier
Arovec AroMi-6000 is another good option. This remote control humidifier also comes with 6 Litres water tank that can operate for up to 30 hours. It has a wide range of features, including cool mist, aroma diffuser, LED display, and many more.
It has a Microporous water filter cartridge that helps in water filtration and runs off automatically when water runs out.
Choose if:
You are susceptible to allergies or have a baby.
Pros:
- Quiet
- Remote control
- Visible water level
- Built-in aromatherapy
Cons:
- Problem with warm mist function
TaoTronics cool mist humidifier
This Taotronics Humidifier comes with a 4-litre water tank that can last for up to 12-30 hours, fit for a nursery, office, bedroom, etc. It comes with a built-in humidistat that notifies you about the current humid level, enabling you to change according to your preference.
When the device runs out of water, it automatically shuts off. And, its microporous cartridge filters terrible odour and germs from the water.
Choose if:
You are after both warm and cool mist.
Pros:
- Quiet
- Automatic shut-off
- 360° Nozzle
Cons:
- Some customers experienced leakage.
ASAKUKI 400ML premium, essential oil diffuser, quiet 5-in-1 humidifier
This ASAKUKI 400ML humidifier comes with a stylish design and produces mist for up to 10 hours. It also has multiple mist modes and automatically switches off when it runs out of water. With a large tank, it's easy to clean, and the aromatherapy gives the house a pleasant smell.
Choose if:
You are a homeowner who smokes or has pets.
Pros:
- Quiet
- Affordable
- Aromatherapy
Cons:
- Some say the mist is weak
ASAKUKI 700ml premium, essential oil diffuser
This ASAKUKI humidifier comes with a 700 ml water tank. It has multiple mist modes and doubles as multifunctioning aromatherapy. When running out of water, it will switch off to prevent the device from overheating. This eco-friendly humidifier can run for up to 20 hours, and its large tank makes it easy to clean.
Choose if:
Suitable for people who enjoy the fragrance of essential oils.
Pros:
- High quality
- Adjustable brightness
- Energy efficient
Cons:
- Produces noise
- Some say it has weak steam