7 Useful Tips for Using A Humidifier!

TaoTronics
investigates the best tips for using a humidifier, from where to put it to what
kind of water you should be putting in it!

Humidifiers
are a fantastic item that you never knew you needed. Effectively moisturizing
the air, they help save your body from the effects of dry rooms and the harsh
realities of winter.

But
placing them in your room to get the most effective use is a fine art akin to feng
shui.

Should
they be close to your bed or as far away as possible? Do you need to use
distilled water, and what happens if you’re using a humidifier for a nursery?

We’ve got
the answers to all your questions, and some you might not have thought about!

Here are 7
useful tips for using a humidifier – your very own humidifier FAQ. And don’t
forget, if we’ve missed anything feel free to comment and our TaoTronics
experts will get back to you ASAP!

Quick Jump:

Where Should I Place My Humidifier?

How Close Should a Humidifier be to My Bed?

Where is the Best Place for A Humidifier in My Bedroom?

What Humidity Should I Set My Humidifier To?

What Kind of Water Can You Use in A Humidifier?

What Should I Put In My Humidifier To Prevent Mold?

How Often Should I Clean My Humidifier?

Where
Should I Place My Humidifier?

Obviously, there are two key things to bear in mind when deciding on a spot for your humidifier.

1. Firstly, the humidifier should be placed on a small table, or other piece of furniture at least two feet off the ground.
2. Secondly, you should be able to place a towel or some form of sheet under the humidifier to protect your furniture.

These are
great basics to bear in mind because it doesn’t just narrow down your options,
but it will prevent any damage to your floors or ceilings!

You want
to place the humidifier at least two feet off the floor in case of any leaks,
and so that you can’t accidentally knock it over. Some humidifiers
automatically switch off if the tank is tipped; this is a great bonus.

Humidifiers
can also have a large mist plume to cover larger rooms. If you’re placing it
high up – on top of a wardrobe, say – this plume will hit into the ceiling,
adding moisture and reducing the effectiveness of the device.

Placing a
towel or mat under your humidifier is a good way to protect any furniture from
damage, like if you spill water while filling the humidifier. It can also add
some glamour to your room!

How Close
Should a Humidifier be to My Bed?

One of the key tips for using a humidifier in your bedroom is placing it at the correct distance from your bed.

Specifically, we recommend that you keep your humidifier at a distance of around 3 feet from your bed – although there’s no inherent harm in placing it closer, if you’re restricted on room.

This
distance is recommended for a variety of reasons. Not least, if you own a warm
mist humidifier it needs to be far enough away from your bed that if it falls
it won’t spill hot water over you!

Unless you have a humidifier that is precision designed with patented technology to keep noise at a minimum, it’s best to keep it further away from your bed so you can sleep. The sound of a fan or water dripping right next to your head can be something to focus on, disturbing your sleep.

Plus, you
want the moisture to be diffused throughout the air rather than concentrated
right next to your nose and mouth. Moist air keeps mucus thinner, allowing you
to breathe more easily. So while having your humidifier next to your head might
feel like a relief at first, it isn’t recommended long term.

Where is
the Best Place for a Humidifier in My Bedroom?

Location
wise, this is up to you and based on the layout of your room. If you follow our
previous advice, you’ll probably have a location in mind already!

Other
than that, we can recommend that larger humidifiers are placed in the corner of
your bedroom. Not only are they out the way, it means they’re in the optimal
place to provide full room coverage.

If you have bought your humidifier solely to sleep better, somewhere nearer to your bed would make sense. Make sure it is only cool mist! A warm mist humidifier should be placed somewhere it can’t harm anyone if it falls.

Quick tip
– don’t keep it near a window or in direct sunlight.

What Humidity Should I Set My Humidifier To?

Obviously, you can choose whatever setting feels best for you. But to avoid the problems of too little or too high humidity, we recommend you maintain a humidity level of between 45% and 50%.

This
should make it comfortable for you to sleep without too much humidification.

What Kind
of Water Can You Use in A Humidifier?

For the best results, you can’t just put any old water into your humidifier! One of our most important tips for using a humidifier is that you need one of two special types of water.

Distilled Water

Distilled
water is water that has been boiled and then cooled again to remove all of its
impurities including bacteria, salts and minerals. The water is boiled and the
steam is captured and allowed to turn back into water. The impurities won’t
rise with the steam; what’s left in the new container is distilled water.

This is
the most common form of purifying water. You can buy it from stores, and
usually that will have been through an extra filtration process (see
demineralized water, below!) to make sure it’s as pure as possible.

On the other hand, you can make it yourself (though it’s not going to be quite as pure!) – learn how to do that here!

Demineralized water

Demineralized water is water that has had all of the dissolved minerals in it completely removed. It’s more economic than distillation, though that is a way you can achieve it. In addition, you can also get demineralized via deionization, membrane filtration (reverse osmosis or nanofiltration), or electrodyalisis.

Demineralization doesn’t remove bacteria and viruses like distillation does.

If the water goes through one of these systems then the amount of minerals
in the water can be bought right down, even as low as 1mg a liter! However, you
should note that this kind of water definitely isn’t for drinking. It is said
to taste gross, for one, and not quench your thirst.

What
Should I Put in My Humidifier to Prevent Mold?

One worry when you have water in any device is mold. There are a few tips for using a humidifier that will help make sure your humidifier stays clean!

1. Add White Vinegar: Fill your humidifier with water, distilled or otherwise, and also add a cup of white vinegar to the tank. This will help prevent any mold from growing.
2. Humidifier Tablets: You can also purchase humidifier tablets to drop into the tank. They dissolve in under ten minutes and can have aromas! They help to extend the life of your humidifier by keeping the tank clean whilst the water is inside.
3. Add Other Materials: There’s also other things you can add to your humidifier’s tank. These include drops of tea tree oil and even a small amount of chlorine bleach, although whether you want that material in your bedroom is up to you!

How Often Should I Clean My Humidifier?

Even using distilled water, you will want to make sure you clean your humidifier regularly. In particular, this is to get rid of any mineral traces, and also to make sure that no water is left to go stagnant.

The American Lung Association’s Assistant Vice President of National Policy, Janice Nolen, recommends cleaning your humidifier daily. However, if you have a busy routine this simply isn’t possible. In that case, we recommend that you clean your humidifier at least once every three days. Although if you don’t use is as often, clean it once a week. It’s up to you how often you choose!

Quick Cleaning Guide

1. First, unplug the humidifier, and take it apart by removing the tank/tank opening. Make sure you know how to fit it all back together!
2. Second, use white vinegar to clean all the areas that come into contact with water. They’ll need to be soaked for around 15 minutes.
3. Next, while these parts are soaking, fill the tank up to around half way and add a teaspoon of bleach. Make sure the lid is on tightly and move the water around to get full coverage of the tank, and a full clean. Again, leave the mixture in to soak for around 15 minutes.
4. Rinse off all the parts – tap water is fine for this! Make sure there’s no smell left, as this is a good guide for the humidifier being clean.

That’s it! You just need to reassemble the humidifier. Replace the filter as often as is recommended and you’ll easily get purer air.

Now you know the basics, we’ve written a more in-depth explanation on our blog, so be sure to check that out!

Tips for Using A Humidifier – Conclusions

To round up, getting a humidifier is a great way to help ease your breathing in winter and help your skin, when dry air can wreak havoc. Now you have learned, from our tips on using a humidifier, that simply placing it in the right area of your bedroom and cleaning it once a week will make all the difference.

If you’re interested in buying a humidifier, you should check out the TaoTronics range. We have a guide to our different humidifiers here, so you can find the one that’s perfect for you!

• About
• Latest Posts

Amy

Editor at TaoTronics Humidifier

Amy Blandford is a writer for TaoTronics who specializes in all things humidifier, diffuser and air purifier related. When she’s not advocating the many health benefits of the soothing air courtesy of these products, she’s probably practicing yoga or caring for her many plants.

Latest posts by Amy (see all)

What Can I Add To My Humidifier Water?

With summer approaching, you’ve probably been prepping for the hot, humid weather, and a must-have of the season is a humidifier. Maybe you never really considered putting anything in your humidifier besides water, but we’re here to tell you there’s so much more you can do with yours! 

With essential oils gaining in popularity, you may have wondered if you can add fragrant substances to your humidifier too. Not only can you add essential oils but there are other things you can add too.  

From pleasant scents to adding more moisture to the air and even detoxifying the air in your home, there is a lot you can do with your humidifier. 

In this guide, we’ll discuss the benefits of having a humidifier, what you can add to your humidifier water and the things you absolutely should not do with your humidifier.

What are the Benefits of a Humidifier?

Preventing a Cold or Flu

One of the many benefits of a humidifier is preventing sickness during cold and flu season. When the air is not as damp during the dry, cold months of winter, humidifiers can help fight the effects of airborne diseases.

Alleviating Symptoms When You do Have a Cold or Flu

If you do happen to get a cold or flu, a humidifier may help speed up recovery by loosening congestion and making it easier for you to breathe by improving the air quality. It may also help alleviate symptoms such as sleep deprivation, sore throat, and sinus headaches.

Preventing Dry Skin and Hair

Another benefit of a humidifier is preventing dryness or itchiness on your skin and scalp. When the surrounding air gets too dry, you may notice dandruff or dry and brittle hair. The added moisture in the air from a humidifier may help to prevent this. The same goes for your skin since both skin and hair are made of collagen and require moisture.

Improving the Quality of Sleep

A humidifier provides a more comfortable atmosphere by reducing symptoms you may experience from dry air such as a sore throat, stuffy nose, or even a dry mouth. Improving the airflow quality also helps with sleep apnea and snoring by promoting better airflow.

The White Noise May be Soothing

The white noise of a humidifier may also be considered a benefit to some people. White noise is comforting as it blocks out distracting noises and sounds when you’re trying to relax, sleep, or meditate. It can also help you get your best sleep and even train your brain to know when to fall asleep.

Let’s Talk About the Actual Water You’re Using in Your Humidifier

Another important thing to consider with your humidifier is the water that you use. Most people think using tap water is fine, but over time, the minerals that are in tap water build up inside your humidifier and can create a white filmy mist with prolonged use. 

Distilled Water

Distilled water is your best option for your humidifier since it does not contain mineral impurities like tap water. Distilled water provides better air quality, prevents mold growth, and even keeps your humidifier cleaner since it doesn’t contain impurities that can build up over time.

Bottled Water

Believe it or not, when it comes to humidifier water, bottled water is not any better than tap water. Although bottled water does not contain the same particles as tap water, it does still contain some dissolved minerals.

Filtered Water

If you don’t have any distilled water available, your next best bet is filtered water. Filtered water is better than tap water because it removes chlorine, magnesium, lead, and other impurities.

What’s the Difference Between a Cool-mist Humidifier and a Warm-mist Humidifier?

Warm-mist Humidifier

A warm mist humidifier works by heating the water before releasing it into the air. This is beneficial because the boiling process helps to kill any mold or bacteria before releasing it, making the air you breathe cleaner. Warm mist humidifiers are also quieter due to their lack of an internal fan.

Cool-mist Humidifier

A cool-mist humidifier works by releasing an ultra-fine mist into the air. Since the water is not heated before it is released, a cool-mist humidifier uses less electricity than a warm-mist humidifier and can also be used in larger spaces.

What’s the Difference Between a Dehumidifier and a Humidifier?

The difference is quite simple: a humidifier adds moisture to the air and a dehumidifier removes moisture from the air. 

Both humidifiers and dehumidifiers are used for specific purposes and have multifaceted benefits.

So… What Can I Add to My Humidifier Water?

Before we get into what you CAN add to your humidifier water, always make sure your humidifier is compatible with substances that you plan on adding. Some substances may cause damage to your humidifiers with prolonged use, including white vinegar, tea tree oil, tablets, and even essential oils. 

Rose Water

You can wake up and smell the roses with this one! Rose water not only adds a fragrant scent but also helps improve the air quality in your home because of its antiseptic and antibacterial properties.  

Rose water is also beneficial for your skin by providing hydration and antibacterial properties.

Tea Tree Oil

One of the best essential oils you can add to the water in your humidifier is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is another versatile substance with many helpful uses. Similar to white vinegar, tea tree oil acts as an air purifier because it contains antifungal and antibacterial components. 

Lavender

Lavender essential oil has many benefits including anti-inflammatory properties which can help soothe your skin and increases circulation. Its heavenly scent is also great to use at night to help you feel more relaxed and fall asleep.

Lemon

Lemon has great antibacterial properties that can cleanse the air in your home and rid your space of any germs and bacteria. Lemon also provides a very clean and warm aroma.

How to Prevent Mold and Bacteria in Your Humidifier

It’s important to clean your humidifier frequently to avoid mold or bacteria build-up, which can take only a few days to occur. Cleaning your humidifier regularly is a safe precaution to take to avoid mold. 

Make Sure to Empty the Water in Your Tank

You should never leave water in your humidifier tank when you’re not using it. When the water is left sitting for more than a few days, it is prone to breeding nasty substances such as bacteria and mold.

White Vinegar 

White vinegar acts as a cleaning agent for the different components of your humidifier and is a great alternative to other cleaning products which may contain toxic substances. White vinegar can also be mixed into your humidifier water to act as a disinfectant by cleansing the air you breathe in the room. 

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a great, inexpensive additive to your humidifier water for cleaning purposes. You only need to add half a teaspoon to the reservoir of water, and it should work to prevent mold and bacteria from forming.

Common Mistakes People Make with Their Humidifier

Not Cleaning Your Humidifier

Cleaning your humidifier is something many people don’t always think about, especially when they are using clean, distilled water. However, neglecting to clean your humidifier can lead to issues such as flu-like symptoms or lung infections if the contaminated mist is released into the air.

The Air is Too Damp

You may not think this could be a problem during those humid months, but believe it or not, the temperature needs to be at a certain level to necessitate a humidifier. If the air is too damp, it can attract dust mites and mold. One way to negate this is by purchasing a humidifier with a humidistat.

Best Places to Keep Your Humidifier in Your Home

The Bedroom

The best spot to keep a humidifier is near your bed. Keeping your humidifier in such close proximity improves your sleep quality, boosts your immune system, and the cool mist can even helps you breathe, which is even more beneficial to those prone to snoring or sleep apnea.

The Living Room

Another great place to put a humidifier is in your living room, which benefits the whole family. Increasing the moisture in the air helps lessen the risk of spreading germs and allergies since this is one of the spaces in a home where people spend their time together.

Conclusion

So, if you’ve been wondering if there’s more you can do with your humidifier water, the possibilities are endless. From adding better quality air to your home, improving your skin and hair, and even improving your sleep quality, having a humidifier in your home is beneficial. 

However, it’s important to consider the actual water you’re using and the required maintenance to get the most out of your humidifier. Many people may not know that they are using their humidifiers improperly and potentially exposing themselves to contaminants, so we hope this article was insightful.

What can be added to a humidifier

Today we have a large selection of air humidifiers of various types: steam, traditional, ultrasonic, air washers. They differ in their capabilities, and one of them is the aromatization function. Let’s figure out what can be added to a humidifier and why it is needed at all.

If the instructions for the device indicate that it can aromatize the air, this means one of two options:

• The humidifier is designed according to the “air washing” principle. It does not have replaceable filters, the air passes through discs moistened with water. Therefore, aromatic additives do not pollute the device. Water-soluble flavors can be added to such devices.
• The humidifier has a compartment specially designed for this purpose.
  It is removed, inside there is a small sponge. A few drops of aromatic oil are dripped onto it, the cartridge is put in place, sliding until it clicks. After that, you need to turn on the device, then the oil vapors will be mixed with water vapor. During humidification, the air will be saturated at the same time with microscopic drops of moisture and healing phytoncides from essential oils that have a pleasant aroma. After use, be sure to thoroughly rinse and dry the sponge.

If there is no mention of such a function in the instructions for use, you should not experiment with adding flavors directly to the water, because this can lead to unpleasant consequences:

• filters, membranes will become dirty and fail much faster, they will be very difficult to clean;
• some essential oils can corrode the components of a device that is not adapted to them;
• odorous substances deposited on the humidifier body can create a suitable breeding ground for microbes;
• If the humidifier fails due to the use of essential oils, this may void the warranty.

If your humidifier is configured to use air fragrances, you can choose fragrance oil. This is a concentrated pomace from plants (not always flowers, often from leaves, stems, roots, etc.), which has specific properties and a unique smell. Once you’ve figured out which essential oils to add to your humidifier, choose a few to try out to gauge your personal tolerance. If you “come together in character”, you will get not only a pleasant atmosphere, but also a healing effect on health – preventive, curative and relaxing. But before you buy a magic mixture, carefully study its properties.

Which oils can be added to the humidifier

The air at home is polluted by dust from the street, as well as from furniture, carpets and working equipment, animal hair, microscopic particles of human skin, carbon dioxide that we exhale, and much, much more. After cooking, even if there is a hood over the stove in the room, its aroma can soar for a long time. All these smells can be successfully neutralized with the help of your favorite aroma oil.

In addition to creating a pleasant atmosphere in the room, the right oils can affect health and well-being. So, what oils can be added to a humidifier, depending on their healing properties:

• stabilize the nervous system, relax, have an anti-stress effect, relieve anxiety, relieve fears: geranium, chamomile, frankincense, bergamot, juniper, citrus, frankincense, sage;
• fight lethargy, improve mood, invigorate and give energy: cinnamon, lavender, sandalwood, basil, citrus;

• adjust to the working rhythm, stimulate the brain, awaken creative energy, improve memory, help to concentrate: coniferous, bergamot, rosemary, marigold, orange, lemongrass, basil;
• create a romantic mood, act as aphrodisiacs: patchouli, cinnamon, ylang-ylang, musk, sandalwood;

• help to cope with respiratory diseases, relieve cough, soften ligaments, restore voice: mint, sage, cloves, eucalyptus, conifers, anise;
• support immunity, act as antimicrobial agents, accelerate recovery from viral and bacterial infections, fight inflammation in the body, reduce temperature: camphor, eucalyptus, juniper, cinnamon, bergamot, thyme, aloe, citrus;

• normalize blood pressure, reduce the load on the heart: orange, juniper, chamomile;
• relieve headache attacks due to antispasmodic properties: lemon, mint, lavender, basil;
• help get rid of insomnia: sandalwood, chamomile, lavender, ylang-ylang.

Oil manufacturers create blend recipes from different concentrates that have a unique aroma. This remedy can be prepared independently, following the instructions on the package. Create original incense by studying the effects of different oils on your body, because in each individual case there may be unexpected effects.

What to add to the humidifier for disinfection

In everyday life, essential mixtures can be an excellent substitute for chemical disinfectants, sometimes even more effective.

Here’s what you can add to a humidifier for disinfection:

• tea tree mixed with eucalyptus is excellent against mold or fungus;
• annoying insects encroaching on your territory can be scared away by the smell of coconut, eucalyptus, citrus;
• with microbes very effectively fights tea tree paired with lemon oil.

Who can benefit from aromatherapy?

Since oils have a very real impact on health, they must be used with great care. Read the instructions, do not mix incompatible oils and do not exceed the recommended dosage. When asked how much essential oil can be added to a humidifier, manufacturers usually recommend two drops for every five square meters of space. If the proportions are violated, even a healthy person can experience a headache, nausea, and get an allergic reaction.

There are people for whom aromatherapy with essential oils is not shown in principle. These include:

• pregnant and lactating women – the effects of oils in this position have not been fully studied, it can be dangerous for both mother and baby;
• allergy sufferers – any substance of natural origin, especially highly concentrated, can cause an exacerbation of the disease;
• patients with bronchial asthma – saturated odors can provoke an attack, often sudden;
• people with individual intolerance to specific flavors – so before buying it is worth considering the preferences of each family member or team.

To avoid problems, buy only high-quality oils with a good shelf life from trusted manufacturers. Store the jars correctly: in a dark, cool place, tightly closed, discard the expired on time. Also take care of the humidifier – regularly rinse the oil tank and the body itself from the inside. If you follow these simple rules, aromatherapy will be a pleasure.

Does a humidifier help in hot weather? Articles on the site Clean Air

When the hottest days come, many are faced with the problem of how to escape from the heat and closeness, which does not allow you to work during the day and get enough sleep at night. The ideal solution to this issue is air conditioning, but it is far from always possible to install it.

On the Internet, you can often find the statement that with the help of a humidifier you can save yourself from the heat. Articles such as this claim to help cool the room and offer advice along the lines of “spray the moisture from a sprayer or get a humidifier that does the work for you. ”

Humidifier cooling effect

Purely theoretically, it is possible to reduce the temperature in the room due to humidification, but only if conditions of very high humidity are created – at least 80-90%. At this level of humidity, the physical process of water condensation comes into play. Moisture settles on interior items in the form of water droplets, and due to such condensation, a slight decrease in temperature occurs.

However, firstly, the decrease in temperature in this way is very insignificant, by a maximum of 1-2 degrees. Secondly, even if you turn on a very powerful device that can bring the level of humidity in the apartment to such a high level, the conditions in the room will become simply unbearable.

If you or your friends have been to tropical countries, then you probably know how hard it is to endure hot weather in conditions of high humidity, which only aggravates the situation and causes increased sweating on human skin.

Thus, unfortunately, it will not be possible to get rid of the heat with the help of a humidifier. Although, in principle, an air humidifier is a very good thing and extremely healthy. The use of a humidifier in winter allows you to restore the optimal level of humidity in the room and solves all the problems associated with too dry air: increased fatigue, dry eyes, sore throat.

And, most importantly, this allows you to maintain the protective function of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, which, when moistened, perfectly protect against the ingress of pathogenic bacteria and viruses into our body, reducing the incidence of influenza and SARS.

In summer, the air humidifier can and should be used in air-conditioned rooms, because any air conditioning system reduces humidity during cooling. And the simultaneous inclusion of an air conditioner and a humidifier allows you to create not only a comfortable temperature, but also a healthy microclimate.

So how can you escape from the summer heat?!

With the help of technology, you can save yourself from the heat without air conditioning – this is the purchase of an inexpensive device, consisting of a case with a built-in fan and a container for laying ice.

“Mobile air conditioners without duct”, but, of course, they have nothing to do with air conditioning systems.

In essence, this is an ordinary room fan, which drives the room air through the ice and due to this, its temperature, at least slightly, but decreases. The effect is enhanced by the breeze, which creates a pleasant feeling of coolness.

In the hot countries of Asia, such “coolers” are used quite actively, but there ice packed in bags is sold at every corner and costs mere pennies.

In our country, the sale of large volumes of ice is not provided in principle, and therefore you will have to work hard freezing huge quantities in your home freezer – you need at least 1-2 kilograms for one tab in such an apparatus, and the effect of it will last a maximum of a couple of hours .

Therefore, the only full-fledged option to rid yourself of the heat is to install a full-fledged wall-mounted air conditioner. And if you did not have time to do it at the beginning of the year, you can do it in the fall or winter, when many models will be sold at significant discounts, and there will be no queues for installation at all.