If you live in a dry climate, your doctor may recommend a humidifier to relieve symptoms of dry skin, colds, sore throat, asthma or bronchitis. The extra moisture in the air softens your skin and the membranes in your throat. It will also help break up chest congestion and loosen mucus in your sinuses. Traditional humidifiers are functional, but not very decorative. Mist lamp humidifiers come in a variety of styles to fit in with your existing decor.
How Mist Lamp Humidifiers Work
Mist lamp humidifiers create a very fine mist by passing high frequency sound waves through a basin of water. The oscillation causes some of the water to break into extremely fine droplets. This mist is lighter than air and rises out of the lamp. Many mist lamps are designed to use the rising mist as a decorative element as well as a functional one.
Decorative Elements
Mist lamp humidifiers come in a wide variety of styles. Most include LED lights, which do not get hot to the touch and use very little electricity. Some are designed to look like pillar candles, with an LED light inside a candle shell. Mist from these types of lamps usually billows up and spills out of the top. The water basin is usually fairly small and incorporated into the candle shell.
Health Risks
Ultrasonic humidifiers, such as those used in mist lamps, can release viruses, bacteria, mold spores and other microorganisms into your home. These bioaerosols thrive in warm, moist environments such as the water tank of a humidifier. They are small enough to be easily dispersed along with the mist. Due to design considerations, most mist lamps do not use a filter system, so it is essential to keep the mist lamp clean. Every three days, unplug the lamp, drain it, and wipe all the surfaces. Remove any built up scale or film from the water basin. Dry the outside and refill with fresh distilled water. Always empty and dry your mist lamp before storage.
Types Of Water
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency does not recommend using tap water in an ultrasonic humidifier such as a mist lamp. Tap water contains various minerals that build up to form scale, an ideal breeding ground for bioaerosols. When the minerals in the mist are released they can also form a fine white dust on the surfaces of your home. Instead, use bottled distilled water. The distillation process removes most of the minerals, leaving only purified water.
Placement Of A Mist Lamp Humidifier
A mist lamp humidifier is designed to be decorative as well as functional, and you should keep both of these elements in mind when deciding where to place one in your home. Avoid placing a mist lamp humidifier near books or electronic equipment that could be damaged by moisture.
References
- MayoClinic.com: When Should I Use A Cool-Mist Humidifier vs. A Warm-Mist Humidifier For A Child With A Cold?
- Humidifirst: Ultrasonic FAQs
- NC State University Cooperative Extension: Mold, dust mites, fungi, spores, and pollen: Bioaerosols in the human environment
- U.S. EPA: Indoor Air Facts No. 8: Use and Care of Home Humidifiers
