Need Humidifier Advice

Updated on March 04, 2012
C.L. asks from Parker, CO
18 answers

Hello,

I have always lived in a very humid climate and so have never needed (or heard of)a humidifier. We moved here in May and I bought a Vicks humidifier as I was told we needed one. I haven't used it until now and found out, unfortunately, that it leaks. I woke up in the morning and my dresser was soaked. So, we need to buy another one.

Do any of you have any recommendations? There seem to be many different kinds of humidifiers. The one we bought was a cool mist one. It was a random decision. Any help would be much appreciated. Especially since now we have the heat on and we have a baby on the way due in February.

Thanks so much!
C.

1 mom found this helpful

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L.L.

answers from Denver on

I say spend more money for a good one. We have a decent one from Target for about $40, but my parents have an awesome one that's silent and has worked for over 10 years from Brookstone. (Can you tell I'm jealous?)

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B.K.

answers from Denver on

I love my Vornado humidifier. One for upstairs, one for downstairs. Then look for 20% off coupons at Bed, BAth & Beyond to buy extra filters for when they get dirty. One tip I got at McGuckins in Boulder that has been a great one...to avoid bacteria & slime from building up inside the humidifier, fill it with water & do not add any more water to it until it runs dry & even the filter is dry. It doesn't hurt it to run it with no water in it. Then when it's dry, fill it up again & repeat. I've been doing this for years & it works great.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Denver on

Hi C., I also have a Crane humidifier along with a Reli-On. They both work great. Just make sure to clean it out once a week with vinegar. I started using a treatment solution in the water when I change it and it seems to help with any kind of buildup. One tip: don't put too close to electronics. You will get a white buildup on there and it's hard to clean. Good luck and congrats on your upcoming arrival!! K.

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J.H.

answers from Billings on

Get a warm mist one. The cold mist ones break up particles (minerals,heavy metals, etc) and release them into the air. I am not sure exactly how it works. The warm mist ones just create steam, and besides the benefits of the moist air, it warms the room, too. We have a Holmes brand, and it works well and is easy to clean. We also own a much more expensive one, called a Slant/Finn, which has a germ killing bulb in it as well, but the Holmes works just as well, and it was much cheaper.

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S.R.

answers from Salt Lake City on

C.,
After 10 years in Utah I am still struggling with the dryness!
It is so h*** o* me. I am now used to drinking a gallon of water a day however, and using about that much lotion, too.
I have been through every humidifier there is and finally went with one that the plumber installs into the furnace. We have 4 levels in our home and 2 furnaces so I had one installed on each furnace. I still keep a warm mist one (I bought Air-O-Swiss ones at Linens and Things) in my little girls' room and one by my bed in the winter (can you tell I REALLY have a problem with the dryness?)
I can't stand how cold the cool ones are but that is personal preference I am also freezing here.....

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L.L.

answers from Billings on

My first thought is that you had too much water in it or the top insert that goes into the water wasn't on the base well, or something was obstructing the path of the steam. In these cases, all the steam just goes right down to the floor and soaks the carpet (or dresser or whatever). I keep mine on the floor so it won't ruin furniture if I put together poorly and I keep a towel underneath mostly because I spill filling it up :) I would try it again before shopping around. They do make some that will humidify the whole house, but I do think they are a bit pricier.

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H.W.

answers from Grand Junction on

Hi C.. We have an Air-o-Swiss. You can use it warm or cool, has a timer and some other nice features. We have one for each kids room and have had great results. Before we had a Vicks also and it leaked too. Haven't had that problem with the Air-o-Swiss.

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J.H.

answers from Colorado Springs on

We also have a venta sonic (i think thats what it's called) We looked around and found that it was the best for the price... plus we had a 20% off coupon for bed bath and beyond.

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K.D.

answers from Denver on

We have tried many, and we just got a Crane and LOVE it. It is the easiest to use and the easiest to clean. We have good water, so buildup hasn't been a problem. I don't think I'd ever buy a different humidifier again. This one is so great. We have the penguin. We keep it on full strength, and we've had no white dust and the kids are doing so much better. I especially love the no filter thing. Less to clean.

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K.D.

answers from Colorado Springs on

C.
My son has asthma and humidifiers help keep him from coughing all night. The doctors reccommended cool mist ones, but those dont seem to help as well as the warm ones. We have 2 'steamers' in the house going at all times. They dont get things wet like the cool ones either. Hot air rises and fills the room. The cool mist ones seem to drop the moisture into the carpet...then you have mold to worry about. Anyhow, I have a Vicks warm mist humidifier and it works wonderful...and keeps things warm in the winter too :-)

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M.H.

answers from Missoula on

I Love the crane humidifiers, they com in all different fun animals, and I just saw they have a really cute dragon one out now. They are filterless, but they make a filter that screws into the bottom in place of the cap that they come with. You can also use a drop in filter. We soak our elephant and penguin base in viniger at the end of each season to help with any hard water issues and store them until the next time.

They sell them at target and I am not sure what other retailers carry them.

Good Luck,

M.

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H.R.

answers from Denver on

We like the Venta Sonic found at Bed Bath and Beyond. It is a little pricey, but we went through two others before finding this one. We have one in our daughter's room and our room. It doesn't require cleaning and the filter lasts for several months. It has both cool and warm mist functions and runs quietly. Make sure you bring in a 20% off coupon if you decide to go with this one.

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W.N.

answers from Denver on

It seems to me that your problem with your humidifier is that it "leaks." I have never had a humidifier that didn't leave the dresser it was on wet, so we always put a towel underneath it. It also sounds like you may need to get a couple, they are very helpful in a new baby's room, especially during the winter! By the way, I'm a doula in your area!

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T.B.

answers from Denver on

We had a whole house humidifier that we loved. I don't remember the brand, but we purchased it at Home Depot. It sat on the floor in our hallway and would work for up to an 1800 sq home. It didn't leak and we didn't have to worry about condensation on an furniture it was sitting on.

Be sure to stay with the cool mist humidifiers as warm ones will just promote mold.

Good luck.

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T.R.

answers from Denver on

My son is 3 weeks old & has a cold. His pediatrician said he needed an ultra sonic one- he said anything else was pretty much pointless because it only puts out a miniscule amount compared to what little ones need for a benefit!!!

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J.E.

answers from Fort Collins on

We just bought two great ones at Home Depot, don't buy them at Bed Bath & Beyond or Target they are WAY overpriced.

Essick Air Products MoistAIR 14 Gallon Digital Traditional Humidifier
Model HD1407
$149.00/CT Carton
(http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Produc...)

We also got a smaller one just for our bedroom.
Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier
Model HCM-800
$64.99/EA Each

My lungs are very sensitive and need moisture (and we were shocking ourselves like crazy on everything!) Both of these shut off themselves when they reach the humidity you set it at, which is nice that you don't have to constantly watch them. Just make sure to buy the antibacterical stuff made for each!

I hope that helps!

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E.K.

answers from Flagstaff on

Sorry have no idea how to help but need to ask question... does a humidifier fog up the whole room or is it something you can't see? I am looking for something to fog up considerably to fog plants in small
green house

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.C.

answers from Denver on

We are saving up to have a whole house humidifier installed on our furnace. We had one at our last house and the difference was dramatic. Plus, no fuss, no muss, no worries!! It was just there and it was amazing. I don't like the little humidifiers, the leaking, white powder and worry that the kids will attack them is too much for me!!

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