Humidifiers? Good or Bad?

[lisabc311]

We have never had a dry air problem, but I think we might now. Well, actually, it could just be because I have a yucky cold right now, but the air feels dry to me!

We moved to a new house in May and just started using our furnace. Our furnace is only 5 years old.

So are humidifiers healthy? I have never used one because I read so much about bacteria.

Which is healthier- warm air or cold air? Are there any that don't send bacteria into the air?

In general, is it healthier to use one or not to use one?

Thanks.

[kaydee]

So far as I know, they are okay to use--so long as you clean them regularly!!!! We use a cool mist as that feels better to breathe (our house is dry in summer, not winter, so cool feels better in the heat, as well).

[kavamamakava]

I love to add essential oils to my humidifier. Maybe that would address your concerns about them having bacteria in them? I use thyme, lavender and eucalyptus. Those oils have anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. I also rinse my water well before filling it up every night.

[weebitty2]

We have a cool-mist one that we clean daily, and a warm-mist one that I HIGHLY prefer over the cool one... because not only does it humidify, it keeps the air in the house a warm humid, which means we can keep the heat lower. We DO clean it every day, and add eucalyptus and TTO (3-5 drops each for the anti-bac/anti-micro/anti-fung qualities, and have never had a mold/mildew problem with either of them.

[lisabc311]

How interesting about adding essential oils. I never even thought of that!

TTO would keep the bacteria down. Lavendar would be relaxing at night.

Thanks for the idea!

So that's 1 vote for cool mist, 1 vote for warm mist....Skanda, what kind do you use?

[kavamamakava]

warm mist It has an "vicks" well and I put water in it and then put the EO on top.

[chiromama]

I've been considering buying one too. Since turning our furnace on, i've been waking up with dry, painful sinuses.... target has some on sale too.
http://www.target.com/gp/search.html...rds=humidifier

[oneotamama]

we've used a cool most one in the past. we stopped using it b/c the filters were so expensive and it seemed like they got moldy really quick. yuck.

so, do the ones you guys have been using w/success have filters? do they sell any without? would eo help w/moldy filters?

[grnmtnmama]

we use a warm mist humidifier because i didn't want to have to buy and replace filters all the time. in one of my college courses, the professor mentioned that if you keep a penny or two in your humidifier it will change the chemistry just enough that bacteria can't grow.

[dharmama]

in one of my college courses, the professor mentioned that if you keep a penny or two in your humidifier it will change the chemistry just enough that bacteria can't grow.

Interesting.

We use a Vick's vaporizor occasionally if dd is congested. Dr Sears recomends a vaporizor over a humidifier so I went in search of a vaporizor and the only kind I could find was the vick's one. It's big and ugly and cheap looking IMO but does the job.