How to Choose an Easy-To-Clean and Low-Maintenance Humidifier
Humidifiers can help prevent dry skin, ease sinus problems, and reduce the risk of flu and cold symptoms. But you should choose a humidifier that’s easy to clean and low-maintenance.
The Levoit Dual 150 Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier has an easy-to-use digital display, an adjustable nozzle, and a built-in essential oil tray. It also has a water level indicator that shows how much water is left in the tank.
Low-maintenance
There are some benefits to using a humidifier, but you should clean it regularly to avoid the growth of bacteria and mold. These can be released into the air when you breathe, and they can disinfection humidifier trigger allergies or worsen asthma symptoms. Clean your humidifier with a solution that contains 3% hydrogen peroxide or other manufacturer-recommended cleaning products. Remember to thoroughly rinse the water tank and any other parts of your humidifier that come into contact with water.
Cool mist models are the best choice for homes with curious pets or kids. They’re less likely to activate potentially scalding steam with an inadvertent turn of a dial or button, explains Misha Kollontai, who leads CR’s humidifier testing. And you’ll save energy by running a cool mist instead of a warm one.
The Honeywell Designer Series Cool Mist Humidifier is a top-rated model with an easy-to-use control panel, large opening for easier cleaning, and an automatic shut off feature when the tank is empty. It is quiet and can run for up to 24 hours on a single fill. It has an optional essential oil tray that can be used to add a pleasant aroma. The unit also comes with a demineralization filter that can be replaced every three months to capture minerals found in tap water. This reduces mineral buildup and helps to keep the cool mist smelling fresh.
Filter-free
Unlike evaporative models, cool mist humidifiers don’t use a filter to release water particles into the air. This means that the vapor they create is tainted by any bacteria, germs, or minerals in the water tank. These contaminants can cause respiratory irritation, especially for those with allergies or asthma. Inhaling them over time can irritate the lungs and lead to flu-like symptoms or even lung illnesses.
With the cool mist humidifier, you can avoid this problem by using distilled or demineralized water. This will minimize the spread of minerals, which can be released into the air and show up as white dust on furniture surfaces or inhaled by people disinfection humidifier and pets. Some humidifiers also have a filtration system that can prevent the build-up of bacterial colonies in the water tanks or in the pipes between the tank and the output tube.
However, these systems aren’t foolproof and can still be infested with mold and mildew. That’s why it’s important to clean your humidifier regularly. A regular vinegar rinse, bleach soaking, and thorough cleaning with a disinfectant spray can keep your humidifier free of slimey mold and bacteria. This is particularly important if you have young children or curious pets that like to investigate and poke around gadgets. To help avoid a buildup of grime, consider a cool-mist humidifier that has a built-in water sanitizer and a large tank.
Easy to clean
Like any humidifier, cool or warm mist models need to be cleaned regularly to remove lingering mineral deposits and mold that can irritate airways and cause asthma and respiratory problems. Using distilled water, cleaning the tank thoroughly and routinely, and drying the unit inside and out between uses can help reduce these issues.
This Levoit humidifier has a large 6-liter water tank and a wide opening for cleaning. Its design also allows you to use a scented oil cartridge for aromatherapy (although if you do, you should add fewer drops than recommended as too many can be overpowering). Unlike some other units we tested, this one has a color-changing night light that could be fun for kids or adults who like visibility and mood lighting at bedtime. A built-in hygrometer lets you keep track of humidity levels.
While this unit isn’t a smart humidifier with digital displays or other fancy features, it’s an affordable choice that’s easy to clean and has a huge number of positive reviews. “It’s much better than my daughter’s old, clogged-up humidifier,” one parent writes, noting that she can easily fill the tank and clean it without a hassle. She’s also pleased that the Levoit is less expensive than her previous one, and it isn’t bulky or loud. It’s a solid choice for most rooms, but you might want to consider a different model for bedrooms with young children because the unit can get quite hot.
Energy-efficient
Humidifiers add moisture to the air and help prevent dry skin, chapped lips, and sore throats. They can also relieve the symptoms of colds and flu and improve sleep by reducing the irritation caused by dry air. Additionally, humidifiers can reduce static electricity that causes shocks and sparks throughout the house.
Cool mist models use less energy than warm-mist models because they don’t need to boil water. However, they may need to replace filters and wicks periodically. The best option for energy efficiency is an ultrasonic humidifier, which uses high-frequency sound vibrations to create vapor without heating the water. However, you must change the water frequently because minerals in tap water can clog filters and cause bacteria to grow inside the machine.
Another benefit of using a humidifier is that it helps the body resist viruses such as coronavirus, which can spread through moist air. Dry air allows viruses to linger longer and travel farther, but in humid conditions, aerosol droplets expand more rapidly, and they fall to the floor, where they are less likely to be inhaled by healthy people. The Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart Humidifier is a great option for small spaces, with many smart settings that can be adjusted through the free app and compatibility with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Siri Shortcuts. It can run for up to 24 hours, is quiet, and offers multiple mist output settings.
