Latest news with #humidifier
CNET
a day ago
- Health
- CNET
Wondering Where to Place Your Humidifier? These Tips Will Help
A humidifier may not seem like much. They're not very expensive and all they do is add moisture to the air. However, if you've found yourself with chapped lips, dry skin, sinus congestion or suffering from allergies, this small purchase can make a world of difference. This home appliance will keep your home comfortable during cold, dry months. Plus, if you're prone to spring allergies, that's another reason to invest in a humidifier for your home. With all that said, to take full advantage of its abilities, you need to place a humidifier in the right spot. And we're here to help you figure out the best placement for your humidifier to help you add some moisture back into the air and reap all of the rewards. (To be clear, I'm talking about portable humidifiers that you can move from room to room, not whole-home units.) If you want to figure out which rooms in your home have the driest air and could use a humidifier, you can buy a cheap hygrometer , a small device that measures humidity in the air. And if you're in the market for a humidifier, you can check out our humidifier buying guide and our advice on how to figure out which size humidifier is best for your space. Never put a humidifier in these 6 spots Before we get into where you should be putting your humidifier, here are six places that should be avoided. While there are some caveats here depending on if you've purchased a cool mist humidifier or a warm mist one, the advice generally holds true. 1. On the floor or carpet There are a few reasons to avoid placing your humidifier directly on flooring or your rug or carpet. For one, cool mist humidifiers need to be at least a couple feet off the ground so that the mist can more easily mix with the air. If it doesn't get the chance to properly disperse into the air, it will fall and land on the floor, leaving it wet. And if it's on a carpet, that can lead to mold. However, you also don't want to place the humidifier so high up that the mist goes directly up into the ceiling either. If you do have to place your humidifier closer to the floor, consider putting down a plastic tray or a towel to catch any moisture that falls. 2. Close to decor or wooden furniture If you're putting your humidifier on, say, a nightstand or dresser, make sure that there isn't a piece of art or photos hanging on the wall right behind it, as the mist could reach and damage it. Also, if there's wooden furniture nearby, keep the humidifier away from it so the wood doesn't warp, or put down a protective tray, mat or towel. 3. Near electrical sockets or wires This one shouldn't be a surprise: Water and electricity can create a dangerous situation. 4. Close to your tech products Similar to getting too close to anything electrical, you don't want your humidifier to be putting out mist that falls directly on your phone, computer, tablet or TV that would be harmed by water damage. 5. Directly above a heating vent or radiator Depending on your humidifier model, putting it right next to a source of heat can potentially make it overcompensate, creating more mist than the room actually needs. 6. Within reach of small children or pets This will likely already be obvious to parents of children or pets, but you don't want your humidifier to be located anywhere that small hands can grab or paws can knock off -- particularly if it's a warm mist one with hot water inside. Cool mist humidifiers are the safer choice, especially for children's rooms. Putting your humidifier on the hardwood floor and in direct reach of a mischievous pet are two things to avoid. Getty/petrenkod The best places to put your humidifier Now that you know all the places to avoid, here are the spots you should put your humidifier, whether it's in a bedroom or your living room. Best place to put a humidifier in your bedroom: A few feet from your bed To keep the air from getting too dry at night and help aid with congestion, dry skin, allergies and more, keep your humidifier a few feet from your bed. (If it's a warm mist humidifier, you definitely want to be careful of it being too close where you could potentially knock over the hot water.) That way, it has room to disperse the mist into the air while still being close enough for you to benefit from it. The humidifier should be placed on a flat, dry area, like a nightstand, dresser, desk or table. Best place to put a humidifier in your living room: In a central spot Since people are typically awake when they spend time in their living room (couch naps not included), the placement of a humidifier for safety purposes is less of a concern. The same rules as above generally still stand: The humidifier should go on a table or other flat, dry surface at least a couple feet off the floor. You'll want to place it somewhere that pets or children can't knock it over. Wherever you put your humidifier, make sure to clean it out regularly to keep it running properly (here's how to clean your humidifier). You can also check out how much money a space heater can save you and the best energy-saving smart gadgets that will help you cut down your bills. FAQs Can I use a humidifier every day? If a humidifier is helping alleviate symptoms like dry skin and sinus congestion, using it every day should be okay. However, do exercise caution and monitor the humidity level in your living space. A comfortable and safe humidity range for inside your home, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, is typically between 30 and 50 percent. Can I use tap water in my humidifier? Avoid using tap water in your humidifier because it can contain impurities that can cause health issues, damage the appliance itself -- keeping it clean is important -- or leave residue on surrounding furniture.
CNET
5 days ago
- Health
- CNET
Humidifier vs. Purifier: We Asked Medical Experts Which Is Better for Allergies
Spring is a common time for both indoor and outdoor allergies, which makes it essential to take measures that can make your environment as healthy and safe as possible. There are a few home tech gadgets to consider when trying to protect yourself from indoor allergies. We spoke to allergy and medical experts, and they both say an air purifier or humidifier can be effective. Humidifiers, though, if used improperly, can cause more harm than good. "If there is too much humidity in a room, it can promote the growth of dust mites and mold," said Brian Greenberg, an allergist, immunologist and scientific advisor to 1MD Nutrition. "Air purifiers filter the air of allergens, so they are more effective at reducing and preventing allergy symptoms," says Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist with Allergy and Asthma Network. Here's what you need to know. Air purifiers purifiers and humidifiers work in very different ways. Air purifiers are generally considered very helpful for environmental allergies. "In general, air purifiers work by taking air in through a variety of filters and then sending it out particle-free. There are five basic types of filters -- electrostatic, ionizer, ozone, UV and HEPA. HEPA air purifiers are the most effective and are made by a wide range of companies," said Dr. Greenberg. The better the filter inside the air purifier, the stronger the airflow and the more the filter can remove from the surrounding environment. Typically, these filters need to be replaced or cleaned periodically for optimal function and to notice a substantial reduction in allergy are devices that either boil water or spray a fine mist of water into the environment in small droplets or vapor so that the air has a higher moisture level. Those who suffer from allergies often experience uncomfortable nasal passages and itchy eyes anyway, and dry air can exacerbate these feelings, as well as trigger asthma symptoms and eczema. For this reason, people living in dry environments sometimes experience symptom relief when they incorporate a humidifier into their environment. Do air purifiers really help allergies? Michael Heim/EyeEm/Getty Air purifiers have been studied and found effective at reducing some indoor allergens. "Air purifiers filter the air of allergens, so they are more effective at reducing and preventing allergy symptoms," says Dr. Parikh. The key metric to consider is the total size of the space relative to the recommended size for the air purifier for allergies that you've chosen. A small desktop purifier may have a negligible impact on a large open-plan office. Still, a robust air purifier in each room where you spend time can keep the space's particulates down to a noticeable degree if you have indoor allergies. It's also worth making sure that you place it in the best location for an air purifier where you'll benefit from it most. An excellent first step is to consider the space where you typically suffer most from indoor allergies, such as the bedroom while sleeping. Try an appropriately sized air purifier with a HEPA filter with the doors closed in that space for a few nights when you typically have indoor allergies, and see if your breathing and other symptoms are improved. At a minimum, air purifiers don't have any significant downsides, though some can emit a noticeable sound. Would a humidifier help with allergies? Humidifiers add moisture to the air, either by heating water to create steam (often called a warm mist humidifier) or by spraying tiny droplets of room-temperature water into the air (often called a cool mist humidifier). "In extremely dry climates, that can be helpful to moisten the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, preventing dryness and irritation," explains Dr. Greenberg. "They can, however, create some issues. If there is too much humidity in a room, it can promote the growth of dust mites and mold. And, the water chamber itself needs to be cleaned out daily; otherwise, it can become a mold reservoir." In general, humid air makes things like mold and mildew more likely to grow, meaning that a humidifier may actually make indoor allergies worse if you boost the humidity of the space too high. If you are choosing a first step for reducing indoor allergy symptoms, an air purifier will be a lower-maintenance solution. Adding a humidifier can help in very dry environments but requires some maintenance to avoid growing additional allergens. Skaman306/Getty Images If your indoor allergies have been tied to mold, you can still use a humidifier with these precautions: Most humidifiers designed for home use need to be cleaned weekly, with the water chamber itself emptied daily if all the water isn't used. This can be done according to the instructions that come with your humidifier, though many people use a weak acid like vinegar to remove mineral buildup and discourage growth in the humidifier's parts. On a monthly basis, it's recommended to do a full disinfecting cycle, like a scrub with a bleach solution or hydrogen peroxide. Time this cleaning cycle such that you never mix vinegar and bleach, making a dangerous chemical reaction you do not want to breathe. Consider using distilled water to discourage growth and mineral deposits on the humidifier that can be hard to clean. Give humidified areas in your home a chance to "dry out" between uses. If you use a humidifier to sleep during allergy season, for instance, you risk less mold growth if you let the humidity drop during the day by leaving the humidifier off and the door open to the rest of the home. The best solutions for indoor allergiesMinimizing indoor allergies doesn't stop at adding a humidifier or air purifier. Some major benefits can be gained by modifying your indoor environment in other ways: If you have central heating and cooling, checking and changing your filter every month removes some allergy-inducing particulates, reducing how hard your air purifier would need to work and making your air conditioner more efficient at the same time. Don't underestimate the impact of regular cleaning practices. "Wash your bedsheets once a week in hot water, clean and vacuum one to three times per week," said Dr. Parikh. She also mentions that keeping vigilant about leaks can prevent mold growth, and removing rugs and carpets in favor of easy-to-clean hard surfaces can further lower allergens. Keeping the windows closed during high pollen season can reduce pollen allergies, and keeping pets out of sleeping areas can help prevent pet-dander-related allergies at night. Encasing mattresses and pillows can discourage mold and dander from getting trapped in these upholstered materials, releasing them into your sleep air space. The Asthma & Allergy Friendly certification offers suggestions on air cleaners, filters, bedding options, and encasings that meet independent testing standards. Still, many other brands also exist that can help you reduce exposure to allergens in your mattress and pillows. According to Dr. Parikh, putting stuffed animals in a high-heat dryer for 20 minutes every week can diminish microbial growth and reduce allergen potential for children who play with them. Expert allergy tips The same behaviors that boost your immune system in other contexts can also be helpful for environmental allergies. Good sleep, regular exercise and eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins will only benefit your indoor allergy journey. That being said, some allergens generate a strong response even in people who have taken appropriate steps to boost their immune system's health. LeafyPod Some people find that, if they aren't allergic to common house plants, adding indoor plants helps keep the air fresh in their homes. Environmental changes, as mentioned in this piece, are a major factor in reducing indoor allergies, but medical treatment can also help. "If you're very allergic, allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) with a board-certified allergist may be a great treatment for you to desensitize yourself to your indoor allergens and thus become less allergic over time," said Dr. Parikh. Talk to your medical professional about whether your particular allergies are likely to respond well to allergy shots and whether that's the best next step. The bottom line Levoit If you suffer from indoor allergies, it's wise to experiment with environmental changes that can reduce symptoms or help your medication more effectively reduce your suffering during particular times for springtime allergies. Air purifiers can have a positive impact, reducing total particulate matter in your air if you size them appropriately to your space and opt for a highly effective filter like a HEPA filter. Humidifiers and allergies are a more complicated combo, with careful use potentially reducing the dry airway symptoms brought on by very dry environments. Casual use of a humidifier without proper maintenance can potentially increase humidity to the point where mold and dust mite growth increases. Failing to clean a humidifier properly can put minerals and mold spores into your air. With proper maintenance and an eye to reasonable humidity, however, even a humidifier can help mitigate the impact of indoor allergens.
