How to Use a Humidifier: Types, Maintenance, Safety Tips, and More

The LV600S is one of the most powerful humidifiers we’ve ever tested, able to increase the relative humidity in a small room by about 24% over the course of two hours. Running on high, this model also turned the air into a dank, clammy fog—a frustratingly common problem with all ultrasonic humidifiers. So we ran another test using the built-in “auto” setting on the LV600S to keep the relative humidity level at 60%. To our surprise, this humidifier kept the room within 5% of that target … for three whole days. That’s something that almost no other ultrasonic humidifier can do. If you find yourself experiencing parched skin, congestion and annoying sniffles at night, then it may be time to get a humidifier. According to Good Housekeeping Institute’s Cleaning Lab experts, the ideal moisture level in your home is 30% to 50%, and as the weather gets colder, those moisture levels drop.

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It (over-)humidified the room a little faster than any of our Levoit picks. But the humidistat was about 10% off, and the fill hole on the 5-liter tank was too small for even my toddler to fit his hand inside. The Vicks VUL600 performed decently in our tests, but the tank was only slightly less frustrating than the one of the V3900. Which is to say, at least we didn’t have to smash this one; we just couldn’t clean it, either. The Levoit Classic 300S is just as powerful and reliable as our top pick, but you need the app to use its features to the fullest. Be especially cautious if you have a steam-based humidifier, which boils water. They get really hot and can cause burns if they’re not handled carefully.

Ignoring routine maintenance may put your health at risk because mold, bacteria, and other particles can enter the air and your body. A steam-style humidifier adds humidity to the air by heating water electrically until it boils to create humidity in the form of steam, even if the furnace isn’t on. The steam is picked up by the system blower then pushed throughout the home vents.

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An ultrasonic humidifier works with vibrations under water and emits visible mist. Due to the vibrations in the water, these humidifiers can splash lightly.

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And as a bonus, the device’s built-in atomizer keeps the water-to-oil ratio just right, so its mist stays super fine. Review the instruction manual to find out how often to replace a filter or other parts. Consider purchasing a few additional filters to have on hand for easy replacement. Permanently installed humidifiers may need to be serviced regularly by a professional or require special care. Follow these tips to avoid unwanted particles entering the air.

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The Venta is basically just a big cube, about one foot in each direction. But it also comes with a bottle of the company’s proprietary antimicrobial additive, which is specially designed to help keep the funk down.

Not only is it simple and relatively safe, but it’s also less likely than other types of humidifiers to release bacteria and minerals into the air. But that’s only if you regularly clean and dry it and change the filters. Both cool and warm mist humidifiers require a similar cleaning procedure, though some of the parts may differ.

You may need to let the humidifier run for a bit to eliminate any leftover vinegar scent. Additionally, if you notice mold or scale in your humidifier and can’t remove it with a heavy cleaning, it may be time to dispose of it and get a new one. Avoid mold and other build-up in the humidifier by keeping the area surrounding the machine as dry as possible. Check upholstered furniture, rugs or carpet, and window treatments for moisture. Turn down, stop, or remove the humidifier from the area if the area is damp. Some humidifier parts may need to be replaced on a regular basis. Central humidifiers and evaporators may have filters to replace or clean.

But it may be jarring if you’re accustomed to ultrasonic humidifiers or if you have more-sensitive hearing. The EVDC300 had some of the best circulation of any humidifier we’ve tested. Vornado makes some of our favorite fans, and this humidifier uses a similar design to help move the humidity around the room. When we measured the air coming out of the EVDC300, it was moving four times faster than the air of any other humidifier we tested. The result was a room with a relative humidity level that varied within a range of 2% only, depending on where you measured.