1. Using a Humidifier Is Easy
Humidifiers add moisture to the air, similar to a bathroom after a long, hot shower. They help with congestion from colds/flus and even allergies. Moisture in the air moistens your nasal passages, helping to thin the sinus secretions, helping your congestion. It helps clear up the congestion, so you breathe easier, which is why experts recommend using a humidifier when sick.
2. Warm Up With Steam
Warm mist humidifiers heat water in an enclosed container and release it into the air. Basically, you're adding steam to the air. Some humidifiers allow you to add medications or aromatherapy to increase the efficacy of the moist air. However, since the warm mist humidifiers use heat to heat the water, there are burn and fire risks. When using a warm mist humidifier, make sure you place them out of the reach of children and in an area where children won't knock it over.
3. Cool Moisure Is Safer
Cool mist humidifiers don't use heat to release the moisture and instead use a variety of other mechanical ways. Some use a high-speed fan to release moisture droplets. Others blow water through an absorptive material, which helps release tiny droplets of water. And others actually use ultrasonic vibrations to release the water into the air. The big benefit with cool mist humidifiers is a decrease in the burn and fire risk, which is why experts recommend cool mist humidifiers for use in children's rooms.
4. They Might Make You Sicker
There are some people who shouldn't use humidifiers. Humidifiers can actually make asthma worse, so asthma suffers should avoid them. In addition, high humidity in general can lead to the production of dust mites and mold spores, which can also make us sick. If your house already has high humidity (check with a hydrometer), you can actually make yourself sicker by using a humidifier.
5. Keep Your Humidifier Clean
Despite all the benefits of humidifiers, one of the big drawbacks is that they can harbor molds and bacteria, especially the cool mist humidifiers. Using a humidifier with molds and bacteria can actually make you sicker. Make sure you read the directions about cleaning your humidifier. In addition, consider changing the water inside it every day, rinsing it and cleaning it every three days and using distilled water rather than tap water, if possible.
