3 Mistakes People Make When Using a Humidifier
People use humidifiers for many different reasons. Some people use a humidifier to improve their allergy symptoms that are often worsened by dry air. Others use humidifiers to alleviate scratchy nasal passage or eczema. Humidifiers are also often used to maintain Relative Humidity (RH) between 30 ~ 60% as recommended by the CDC.
If you are using a humidifier watch out for mistakes you might be making in the care and use of your unit. You should follow each manufacturer’s instructions for using and maintaining your humidifier. Here are the 3 most common mistakes you should be aware of and try to avoid making when using your humidifier.
1. Neglecting to Clean the Humidifier Often Enough
Humidifier mists go directly to your lungs. In order to avoid any respiratory disease, make sure to follow the manufacturers' specific directions on how to clean and maintain the unit most effectively. If you do not clean filters and tanks as often and in the exact manner described by the manufacturer, the unit can grow and breed mold, mildew and even bacteria. These gross buildups will become part of the mist output which can also contain allergens. Dirty mists may worsen any allergy symptoms, so be sure to clean your unit according to manufacturers' instructions. This is why purchasing a humidifier that can be thoroughly cleaned is extremely important.
2. Letting Water Sit in Your Unit
Never let water sit in the machine for days between uses as a film can form on the top, which can breed bacteria in the enclosed tank. Always empty water and clean the tank when the humidifier is not in use. Follow the manufacturers' directions for cleaning and/or wiping down the unit with hydrogen peroxide or bleach to inhibit bacterial growth and then rinse and dry thoroughly so harmful chemicals never get released into your indoor air.
If you notice that bacteria or algae are building up in your unit, it’s recommended to thoroughly clean the unit (pssst! Miro humidifiers are the only humidifiers that can be cleaned in all corners).
If you have allergies, follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully in using and maintaining your humidifier to keep your allergy symptoms at bay.
3. Ignoring Humidity Levels in Your Home
Simply put, humidity is the level of water vapor in your indoor air. And, the level of humidity in your indoor air can either help your allergy symptoms or worsen them. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), you should keep humidity below 60 percent in the summer and, ideally, between 40 percent and 60 percent relative humidity in the winter. While many types of humidifiers come with a built-in humidistat for measuring relative humidity you can also buy separate moisture or humidity meter, officially called a hygrometer to more accurately measure and check your indoor relative humidity. If you’re using a humidifier to help specific allergy symptoms, check your humidity often and keep your humidity relatively stable.