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Best Humidifiers: What to Know Before You Buy

Don't let the drying air bother you anymore

One of the most complained problems in winter is low humidity. Humidifiers, which have become more and more widespread lately, seem to be a solution to this problem.

Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. The air’s dryness creates an ideal environment for the viruses that cause the common cold to multiply. Dry air can also cause many health problems such as nasal congestion and dry throat by drying the mucous membranes. Humidifiers can help us maintain our health in the best way possible and go through the winter smoothly by increasing the air’s humidity. So how much do we know about humidifiers, have we ever thought? How do humidifiers work? Which Humidifier should I buy? Is it a perfect suitable disease? You will find answers to many such questions in our article.

Let’s find out precisely what humidifiers are, how they work, and what benefits they provide. We will also share with you the points you need to pay attention to when buying a humidifier.

If you’re ready, let’s start.

WHAT IS A HUMIDIFIER, AND WHAT DOES IT DO?

Humidity is defined as the amount of water vapor in the air; It varies according to the weather conditions, the season, and the living environment. High humidity, which causes sweltering weather in summer, decreases in winter. High humidity in summer and low humidity in winter may cause some health problems. It is known that heaters that are constantly working during the winter months absorb moisture and dry the air due to the lack of ventilation. Drying in the nose and mouth causes the disorders that occur due to this to become chronic. Unfortunately, the air’s humidity goes down well below 50% in homes where the heater always works.

Low humidity in winter may cause skin dryness as well as upper respiratory congestion. Humidifiers keep the house’s humidity in ideal ranges, turn the water into vapor, and spread it to the environment. In this way, it increases the humidity in the environment. It is thought to be beneficial in removing congestion and dryness. It is a type of treatment recommended for sinus problems with its ease of breathing.

HUMIDIFIER TYPES

There are two types of humidifiers, hot mist, and cool mist. Let’s examine the most prominent differences between hot fog and cool mist moisturizers item by item.

• The cool humidifier evaporates water with high-frequency vibrations that are too fast to be detected by the human ear. The hot mist humidifier heats and evaporates the water through the electrodes inside. Therefore, attention should be paid to the risk of burning in hot mist humidifiers.

• Cool mist humidifiers consume almost four times less electricity than hot steam machines.

• It is necessary to use cool mist humidifier distilled water. Because some minerals in tap water accumulate in cold water, making it easier for microbes to settle and reproduce on these surfaces. It is more difficult for bacteria and germs to reproduce in a hot mist humidifier.

• Cool mist humidifiers work quieter than hot mist humidifiers.

WHICH HUMIDIFIER SHOULD I CHOOSE?

Room size

The size of the room where you will use the Humidifier is a crucial factor. If you buy a small humidifier in a large room, you may have trouble seeing the Humidifiers’ effects. Let’s share values that can help you.

1.8 L HUMIDIFIER                           100-220 ft2
2.5 L HUMIDIFIER    107-269 ft2
3 L HUMIDIFIER    108-323 ft2
4 L HUMIDIFIER  220-420 ft2

(These values are approximate. It may vary depending on the brand and model you bought.)

According to these values, you can determine the size of the Humidifier you will buy. Thus, you can get the best efficiency from your Humidifier. The working hour capacity of the Humidifier also varies according to its size. Purchasing a humidifier suitable for your room saves you from the task of refreshing the humidifier water at frequent intervals and saves time.

Silence

We usually position our humidifier where we spend the most time, like our living room and office where we do our work. That’s why we want our moisturizer to work quietly. We will share the sound levels of some situations below. According to these values, if you encounter decibel levels when purchasing a humidifier, you will be able to understand more or less what sound intensity corresponds to.

Leaves Sound: 10 dB
Whisper sound: 30 dB
Regular Speaking sound: 60 dB

Auto Shut-off and Timer Feature

Its timer and automatic shut-off feature are also one of the features that make the use of humidifiers very easy. When the water inside the Humidifier is exhausted, some problems may arise when the Humidifier is not closed. The Humidifier’s automatic shutdown when the water runs out provides an economic advantage in terms of the electricity bill. With its timer features, you can set specific time intervals for your Humidifier to work. In this way, you will use your Humidifier economically. Once you get it running, you won’t have to bother again.

Essential Oils and Humidifiers

Humidifiers also have odor-emitting models. These are referred to in the market as essential oil diffusers. While humidifiers the environment in which it is placed, it also scatters essential oil aromas, which are quite a daphne, around. These scents are known to be applied as a treatment for both sinus problems and many health problems. If you are looking for a humidifier and want your home/office to smell great simultaneously, you can review our article on essential oil diffusers here.

Water Level Window

We hope you understand that we are operating humidifiers with water. Even if you buy a humidifier with a huge tank, the water in the tank will undoubtedly run out, and you will have to refresh the water in it. So how will you see how much water is left? For these, there are water level windows on the humidifiers. Be careful that the humidifiers water level can be seen effortlessly. Therefore, you can see how much water is left in the Humidifier even while sitting on your sofa. It is vital because although humidifiers have the feature of automatically shutting off when the water runs out, running out of the water while the device is turned on may cause negative consequences for the device. Wouldn’t we want to secure our job?

Leaking

Humidifiers are devices that turn water into steam. It creates a very suitable environment for currents. One of the most important factors when buying a Humidifier is whether it leaks. If the humidifier leaks, it could damage where it was placed. To illustrate, a wooden parquet can absorb water and cause it to swell. Check if people are complaining about streaming problems when you read reviews while reviewing the product. But don’t be fooled by the comments about every stream. As we mentioned above, since it is a device that works with water and steam, there may be leakage from the steam outlet even if it is very little.

Lights

It is a well-known fact that colors have a significant influence on human psychology. Hundreds of studies have even been done on this effect. If you are curious, you can read it here on Wikipedia titled “Color Psychology.” Humidifiers, which want to take advantage of this power of colors, have more than one variety of colored lights. While it enables us to breathe more comfortably, it also uses the effect of colors on psychology. Our humidifiers that we leave open at night are also our night lights.

BE CAREFUL

If you have any upper tract infection, consult your doctor before using a humidifier. Remember, humidifiers are not used purely for therapeutic purposes. They are a helpful element in getting through the illness.

FAQ

Can Humidifier run all night?

The answer to this question is very relative. It varies from the water capacity of your Humidifier to the amount of steam output. For example, if you have a very high volume humidifier because the amount of water inside is more, it will run out over a more extended period. Or if the steam output is less, the water in it will be sufficient for a longer time, as it will produce less steam at the same time.

Can you put essential oils in a humidifier?

It may vary depending on the model of the Humidifier you purchased. Read the user manuals of the Humidifier you are going to buy or buy and search on the internet. If you see the information that essential oils can be thickened, essential oils can be an excellent option to improve your home’s fragrance quality. But we recommend that you do not try this before you are sure if this support is available.

How does a humidifier help with diseases?

Dry air weakens the nasal mucosa’s immune system, making the nose vulnerable to infections such as viruses and bacteria. The number of people with upper respiratory tract infections in winter is higher and being in closed environments triggers the infection’s spread. Humidifiers increase the air’s humidity and help balance the nasal mucosa’s immune system, making you more protected against diseases. It also plays an essential role in opening blocked noses. When you breathe more quickly, you overcome conditions more easily.

How can I humidify my room without a humidifier?

Yes. There are some techniques to increase the humidity in the home. You can attach drinkers to the combs or the heater you use and improve the moisture by allowing the water inside to evaporate very slowly. Again, wet cloth and towel can be placed on the heaters you use. By drying your laundry in your home, you can increase the very low humidity rate. If you air all the rooms in your home during the day, you will ensure that the drying air reaches the moisture balance.

Is it OK to use tap water in Humidifier?

It depends on the type of Humidifier you use. If you are using a cold steam humidifier, it is necessary to use distilled water. Some minerals in tap water accumulate in cold water. It makes it easier for microbes and harmful organisms to reproduce and hold onto water. Whichever type of Humidifier you use, it will be healthier to use clean water or drinking water if possible.

Does a humidifier help with dry skin?

Yes. It helps. In a dry environment, the water on your skin can evaporate away from your body. Dry skin can cause many problems, such as cracking in the skin. Since the moisturizing moisturizes the environment, your skin may return to normal by being affected by the environment’s humidity. However, if you have a skin health problem, do not consult your doctor.

Why do I keep getting sinusitis?

There can be many reasons for sinusitis. Allergy, nasal curvature, deficiency of the immune system, and substantial blowing cause chronic sinusitis. Polyps and tumors in the nose, foreign body, anatomical abnormalities in the nose, dental infections are other factors that cause sinusitis.

Where should I place my Humidifier?

You can place your Humidifier on the floor or table. However, it is generally recommended to be placed at the height of at least 1 meter from the ground. If the Humidifier is left under sunlight, a humid and hot environment may occur. For this reason, the probability of bacteria growth increases.

How do I know if I need a humidifier?

Every home’s air is not dry. For this reason, it is necessary to measure the humidity in the home air by obtaining a moisture meter. The optimal humidity in the house is between 40-50%. Problems may occur at a humidity level below 40%.

How often should I clean my Humidifier?

The water tank of the humidifier should be cleaned with soap and water every three days. It should then be thoroughly rinsed and refilled. In the case of insufficient cleaning, mold, bacteria, and microorganisms are likely to grow in the machine’s water tank.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

The minutes that you worry less about health problems in an excellent environment are waiting for you. You have learned what to look for when buying a humidifier and a lot more. Now, when you check the humidifiers, you can compare them according to the most crucial features. Now, it is time to choose an excellent humidifier for yourself.

What type of humidifier is best for plants?

Have you ever been to a place where Humidifier is used?

Do you think humidifiers can really be good for your sinus problems?

Do you know anyone who has bought a humidifier and used it to treat any health problems?

We would appreciate it if you could answer our questions and share your experience with other users.

5 COMMENTS

  1. I use humidifiers in winter as I have COPD and winter is the hardest time of the year for me as I just can’t breathe humidifiers helps I have one in every room

  2. I recently bought humidifiers for our place. We moved from a very humid climate to a very dry climate and my sinus were killing me. I wish I would have seen this post before I bought them, however, based on the info above, I think I did get the type for our needs. They do have a place for oils, but so far I haven’t used oils. I am currently researching what I want to use. My nose and skin are feeling better though, which was the purpose!

  3. I just bought a humidifier for my bedroom I was waking up with such a dry mouth and eyes every morning. It has made such a difference in the sleep I get.

  4. I worry that if I use a humidifier in my room I will get mold because my father-in-law lives by the ocean and his place always smells musty. Has anyone had a problem with mold after using one for awhile?

  5. My problem is always that I forget to fill the darn thing! I do love the ones that have no filters, or are even dishwasher safe for easy cleaning and safety. Nothing is worse than opening the humidifier and finding it moldy and gross.

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