During colder weather, we add layers to our daily outfits and switch our air conditioning to heat. The air will also begin to feel dry and stale. For times like these, a humidifier is a must. In this blog, we’ll share what you need to know about humidifiers and how to find the best one for your unique needs.
- Humidifiers add moisture to dry winter air, easing symptoms like dry skin, nasal irritation, and cold or allergy discomfort.
- Select the right humidifier based on room size, desired relief, and budget for effective and comfortable use.
- Regular cleaning and using distilled water prevent mold, bacteria growth, and white dust from humidifiers.
Why is the air so dry in homes during the winter?
Cold air holds less moisture than warm air, which is why air often feels drier in winter. Dry air can create some health problems as we head into the winter months. When humidity is low, bacteria and germs can linger in the air for extended periods. It can also dry out your nasal passages, making you more susceptible to illness.
A humidifier is an affordable, straightforward way to combat winter dryness. It can also help make your home feel more comfortable.
Why is humidity so important?
Humidity levels vary with the season, weather conditions, and your geographic location. Humidity levels are higher in the summer and lower in the winter. If the humidity is too low or too high, it can cause problems.
Humidity that is too low can cause dry skin, irritate nasal passages and throats, and lead to dry and itchy eyes.
When humidity is too high, it will make your home feel stuffy. It can also cause condensation on walls, floors, and other surfaces. Harmful bacteria, dust mites, and molds can easily grow in humid environments.
What is a humidifier?
A humidifier is a device that emits water vapor or steam to add moisture to the air.
Have you noticed any of the following?
- You feel a change in the air of your home
- You’re sneezing more than usual
- Having trouble breathing
- Nostrils and lips feel painfully dry
How Humidifiers Can Help
Adding moisture back into your home’s air can help increase your comfort and well-being. The ideal humidity level in your home should be between 30% and 50%. According to the Mayo Clinic, maintaining healthy humidity levels in your home can help relieve a variety of symptoms:
- Chronic itchy, flaky, or irritated skin
- Sinus congestion
- Relieve respiratory problems and winter allergy symptoms
- Sore or scratchy throat
- Nose irritation or constant nosebleeds
- Painful, chapped lips
If you have severe allergies or asthma, consult your doctor before using a humidifier to ensure it is safe for you.
How to figure out your home’s humidity level
You can test the humidity level in your home with a hygrometer. Like a thermometer, a hygrometer measures the air’s moisture. Hygrometers are available for purchase at hardware stores and department stores. Some humidifiers may have a built-in hygrometer or humidistat to help you maintain a healthy humidity level.
Humidifier Buyer’s Guide
Now that you know you need a humidifier, let’s determine the type that best suits your needs.
Believe it or not, there are numerous humidifiers available that offer various benefits. Before purchasing one, you should answer the following three questions:
- What is the size of the room where it will be placed?
- What kind of relief am I looking for?
- What is my budget?
Different Types of Humidifiers
Different models can vary in terms of output, water tank size, and operating technique. Here is a guide to the various kinds of humidifiers available for your home.
Ultrasonic Humidifiers
This is the quietest humidifier manufactured. It uses the power of high-frequency sound waves to pulse a metal diaphragm, breaking the water into an ultra-fine vapor mist.
An ultrasonic humidifier, such as the Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier – Elephant, will provide indoor moisture, making it easier to breathe and relieving symptoms like nasal congestion, a dry cough, sinus irritation, and similar issues.
The mist output can be regulated with the control knob located at the front.
Are sinuses bothering your child? Reduce them with this ultrasonic device.
Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifiers – Elephant
Why Ultrasonic Humidifiers are the Safest Choice for Nurseries and Children’s Rooms
Ultrasonic humidifiers are the most family-friendly option available. Its technology does not require heating elements and produces a cool mist, making it ideal for use around even the most curious of littles.
Ultrasonic humidifiers are typically very quiet, so you won’t have to worry about disruptive noises at naptime or bedtime.
Cool Mist Humidifiers
Cool Mist humidifiers are recommended for children’s rooms because they do not contain a heating element.
The Crane Cool Mist Humidifier provides extra hydration for your home, helping to relieve the effects of dry air. It is easy to fill and features a transparent water window to indicate when the tank needs a refill. The Clean Control Antimicrobial Material in its base can reduce mold and bacteria growth up to 99.96%. It runs super quietly and is ideal for use in medium-sized rooms.
Dry air causing cold and flu symptoms in your home? Reduce them with this cool mist humidifier.
Crane Cool Mist Humidifier-White
Warm Mist Humidifiers
Warm-mist humidifiers use a heating element to boil water, releasing it as warm steam.
The Honeywell Black Warm Mist Humidifier can help alleviate cough and cold symptoms, making it particularly useful during the winter months for individuals suffering from coughs, respiratory infections, and congestion.
Its warm, moist air helps you breathe more easily and sleep comfortably during winter, when humidity is often lower. This warm-mist humidifier is filter-free, so you can control your home’s air moisture levels without worrying about filter replacements.
This Honeywell humidifier heats and purifies water, releasing it throughout your home, running quietly and continuously for up to 24 hours. It is low-maintenance, offers moisture output settings, and includes a medicine cup for therapeutic purposes.
Are the winter months making your cold symptoms worse? Reduce them with this warm mist humidifier.
The Honeywell Black Warm Mist Humidifier
Want both warm and cool mist? The Vicks Dual Comfort Cool + Warm Mist Humidifier gives you the best of both worlds! This humidifier adapts effortlessly to your needs. It’s filter-free and delivers 40 hours of runtime, providing long-lasting performance without frequent refills.
Vicks Dual Comfort Warm + Cool Mist Humidifier
UV Germ-Free Humidifiers
If a humidifier has the word ‘UV’ in its name, it means it uses ultraviolet light. This light helps kill germs, bacteria, and viruses in the water.
This type of humidifier is ideal for babies, small children, or anyone concerned about preventing the spread of germs, viruses, and bacteria.
Want your room to be germ-free? Reduce them with a UV Germ-Free Humidifier.
Honeywell Germ Free Cool Must Humidifier 2-Pack
Cool Mist Impeller Humidifiers
Impeller humidifiers use a high-speed rotating disk that spins water toward a diffuser, breaking it into tiny drops and releasing it into the air as a fine mist. This type produces a refreshing, cool mist that helps combat cough and cold symptoms.
This type is a popular choice for those seeking an affordable, child-friendly humidifier option. It effectively humidifies a single room, making it perfect for bedrooms, nurseries, and small living areas.
Evaporative Humidifiers
Humidity that is too low or too high can cause serious problems. Evaporative humidifiers blow air through a water-soaked wick or filter to release natural water vapor.
For optimal performance, regularly maintain your evaporative humidifier and replace the filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Time to replace your humidifier filter?
Shop Replacement Humidifier Filters
Humidifier Sizes: Console vs Portable
The two primary types of humidifiers are console units and portable models.
Console humidifiers are designed for larger spaces and have a higher gallon output. This type is best for humidity control in multiple rooms or whole-house coverage.
Portable humidifiers are more affordable and ideal for use in a single room.
It’s best to choose a model that suits your lifestyle and budget.
Humidifier Cleaning Tips
Dirty humidifiers breed mold or bacteria. Mineral buildup can easily become an issue, causing surfaces in your home to collect “white dust”. Proper maintenance and cleaning of your humidifier at least once a week is essential. Here are a few key points to consider when using a humidifier in your home.
- Use distilled water or demineralized water. Tap water can promote bacterial growth and mineral buildup due to its mineral content.
- Change water frequently. Empty the tank often. First, unplug it, empty the tank, dry the inside, and refill it with clean water. If possible, do this every day.
- Clean regularly. It’s not enough just to change the water in your humidifier. It is recommended that you clean your humidifier at least once a week or every three days. Ensure you read the care instructions specific to your machine.
- After cleaning, rinse. This will keep those harmful chemicals from becoming airborne and inhaled.
- Change your filter regularly. If your humidifier has a filter, you should change it at least as often as the manufacturer recommends. If it looks dirty, change it.
- Keep the area around the humidifier dry to prevent mold growth. If the area around a humidifier becomes damp, including windows, carpeting, drapes, or tablecloths, adjust the setting to a lower level.
- Properly prepare your device for storage. Drain and clean your humidifier before storing it. Clean it again after removing it from storage. Properly dispose of used cartridges, cassettes, or filters.
Humidifiers vs Vaporizers
The primary difference between humidifiers and vaporizers lies in how they produce moisture. Humidifiers typically produce a cool or lukewarm mist, while steam vaporizers boil water to create hot steam. Humidifiers that make a cool mist are recommended for use around children, while vaporizers are better suited for germ-free inhalation.
Both can be used for humidification; you must decide which option best fits your needs.
Warm Mist Vaporizers
Warm Mist Vaporizers utilize a heating element to boil water in your device and release it into the air as a warm steam mist. They can help alleviate the worst symptoms of dry air, which can cause discomfort in your throat and sinuses, and lead to skin flaking or cracking.
Bacteria can easily enter the body through breaks in the fragile membranes that surround it, and moist air can help prevent this. Additional benefits include a medicine tray for aromatherapy and relief from coughs and colds.
Humidity Could Be What You’re Missing
Humidity is essential for making your home comfortable. It also helps keep your household healthy during winter.
We’re here to help you find the option that best suits your needs, so please don’t hesitate to contact our Filters Fast Customer Care Team by calling 866-438-3458 or emailing [email protected].
For more information about this topic, please read the following blogs:
- Best Cold Relief Remedies: Humidifiers
- De”MIST”ifying Humidifiers: Warm or Cool Mist is Better?
- Why Is Air Filtration Important During the Winter?
Katie says
Hi Pamela,
Thank you for reaching out to us. Most portable humidifiers can be disassembled for cleaning. We would recommend reviewing the owner’s manual for instructions. If you do not have that available you may search this online using the model number to your unit.