How to Find a Humidifier

Having a good humidifier is crucial to getting through the cold and flu season. Running the humidifier while you are sick can help relieve the symptoms of a cold or flu, and keeping the air moist can even help prevent you from getting sick. Unfortunately, some humidifiers are cumbersome to use and clean, and others are susceptible to mildew and mold, which can trigger allergies in some people. Here is how to find a good humidifier.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Think about what features you want in a humidifier. Do you want to be able to run it on different settings at different times of the day or night? How much work are you willing to put into cleaning it? How frequently do you want to replace the filters? Do you want a warm mist or cool mist humidifier?

2. Decide how much you are willing to pay for a humidifier. The least expensive humidifiers are more likely to be more difficult to clean and more susceptible to harboring mold or mildew, which can be a problem for those who suffer from allergies. Accept that you might have to pay a little more money in order to get the features that you want.

3. Go to a discount store. You are much more likely to find a less expensive humidifier at a discount store, such as Walmart or Target, than you are at a drugstore or grocery store. You will also likely find a larger selection from which to choose a humidifier.

4. Look for a humidifier that has the features you are seeking and falls in the price range that you are hoping to pay. (Do not be surprised if you have trouble finding one that meets both criteria.)

5. Assess how easy the humidifier will be to clean. Some humidifiers are much easier to clean than others. If you or a family member has mold allergies, it is worth paying more money for the ease of cleaning. If a humidifier is hard to clean, you are less likely to clean it as often, which can encourage mold and mildew to grow.

6. Determine if the humidifier has been treated to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Some humidifiers are treated with a substance that inhibits the growth of mold and mildew. While those humidifiers tend to cost a little more, they are well worth the money because they do not need to be cleaned as frequently and are less likely to trigger mold allergies.

7. Find out if replacement parts are needed. Some humidifiers come with filters that never need to be replaced. While they might cost more than those with disposable filters, you will come out ahead in the long run by not having to pay for replacement filters.

8. Inquire about the warranty. If you purchase a more expensive humidifier, make sure it comes with a warranty so you can get your money back if the humidifier breaks.

Tips & Warnings

• Many warm mist humidifiers require you to add salt to the water while a cool mist humidifier does not. Decide whether you want the added step in setting up the humidifier each time.
• If you are placing the humidifier in a child’s room, only purchase a cool mist humidifier so the child cannot burn himself on it.