About all

What can i put in my humidifier: What Can I Add to My Humidifier Water?

by alexxlab

What Can I Add to My Humidifier Water?

Updated December 27, 2021
By Veronica BoothPosted in Humidifier

If you’ve been enjoying the fresh air a humidifier provides, you might be asking what can I add to my humidifier water to take it one step further.

The answer lies in the type of water you use. In fact, many people make additions to their humidifier water to create an even more pleasant atmosphere.

Humidifiers have an open water tank that makes it easy to experiment with different types of water. By doing so, you can see how each affects your space.

A word of caution, though: If you love your humidifier and don’t want to ruin it, you need to make sure you are only adding safe substances to the water tank.

In this guide, we’ll discuss why people make additions to their water, what you can add, and the benefits doing so can have on your comfort and health.

What Water Should I Use for My Humidifier?

First, you need to make sure you are putting the best water in your humidifier. This means no plain tap water. You should only be filling your humidifier’s water tank with distilled water or bottled water that is free of minerals.

Using the purest, distilled water possible ensures you aren’t adding anything harmful to your air, and that the air in your space is being well recycled to remain clean. The minerals can also create unpleasant white dust on surfaces near the humidifier. Plus, deposits of these minerals can build up making the humidifier unusable.

Filtered and distilled water ensures you are pushing the cleanest mist into the air so you and your family can breathe well and enjoy a comfortable humidity level.

Why Add Things to my Humidifier?

There are several reasons someone may want to make additions to their humidifier water.

Some just want to add a scent to the mist since distilled water is unscented. This is accomplished in different ways, but most of them result in a sticky or dirty humidifier that needs to be cleaned. When you opt for a sweet-smelling mist, you’ll want to clean the humidifier tank regularly.

The best reason to make additions to your humidifier water is for health and cleanliness. Many additions work to discourage bacteria from growing and prevent mold and mildew. When mold spores are released into the indoor air it can cause serious health problems for people breathing the air.

What to Add to Your Humidifier

Here’s a list of the best substances to add to your humidifier’s water tank to purify and cleanse your air while adjusting the humidity level.

Vinegar

Adding a cup of white vinegar to your humidifier’s water will prevent mold and mildew from growing and keep your humidifier clean and healthy.

Adding plain white vinegar is fine, but some people prefer the scent of apple cider vinegar and choose to add that. Both are acceptable and should keep the humidifier from growing mold.

Essential Oils

You can add essential oils, especially tea tree oil, to your humidifier’s water for a pleasant scent and added benefits. Tea tree oil contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties that will cleanse your air.

If you have a favorite essential oil, add a few drops into your water tank and see how it changes the feel of the indoor air in the room. But if you have pets, make sure the oils you pick are not toxic to your pets.

Humidifier Tablets

Humidifier tablets are great because they can demineralize the water for you. This means you actually can use tap water as long as you put a tablet in at least once a week to keep it distilled.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Adding a teaspoon or so of hydrogen peroxide has the same effect as vinegar does. It stops mold from growing and releases mold spores into the area. Hydrogen peroxide fights bacteria so you don’t need to clean your humidifier as frequently.

Lemon

Adding sliced lemons or a few squirts of lemon juice to your humidifier tank is one of the most common additions. People not only love the citrus scent emitted in the mist but also the aesthetic of some lemons floating in the water.

The acidity in lemons and lemon juice helps fight some bacteria but can also promote other bacteria to grow. If you choose to add lemons, make sure you are willing to clean the tank regularly or it will become sticky and gross.

Bleach

Adding bleach to the water being sprayed into your indoor air might seem weird, but it is a great way to keep your air and humidifier tank clean.

Effects of Additions to Your Humidifier

Although adding these substances to your humidifier can improve the indoor air quality in your home and relieve congestion, they aren’t great for your humidifier.

Adding harsh chemicals can slowly erode the plastic causing the humidifier to leak or simply stop working.

When you add things like lemons or other fruits, the sugars in the fruit will make the humidifier very dirty, sticky, and difficult to clean. If you don’t stay on top of the routine cleaning your humidifier may begin to develop mildew or release mold spores into the air.

Breathing in mold spores is unbelievably bad for your health and must be avoided.

Bottom Line

Adding substances to your humidifier is fun and can improve your air quality. Adding substances like essential oils or lemons to boost the pleasantness of your humidifier is a wonderful idea.

By making adding scents or soothing properties to the water, you are maximizing the benefits of the humidifier that is constantly making your home a better place to be.

FAQs

Do I need to add anything?

No, you don’t have to add anything to the humidifier if you don’t want to. But additions can make your humidifier better at its job and relieve certain discomforts that come from unhealthy air.

What should I not add?

Try to avoid any powders or additions with small granules. These can clog the humidifier’s mister causing it not to humidify the air properly anymore.

Anything that has sediment in it can result in mineral buildups that make the surfaces in your space dusty and unpleasant. A good rule of thumb is to stick with liquid additions to ensure your humidifier continues to run smoothly.

Can I add multiple substances?

First off, you should never mix anything with bleach except water because it can be very dangerous. Second, mixing these substances can result in an unpleasant air experience if they don’t mesh well. It is best to try these additions on their own first to see what you like.

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 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.