There are several different types of humidifiers, but all humidifiers exude water vapor into the air to increase the level of humidity in the area. They are commonly used during the cold and dry winter months or during flu season to help alleviate unpleasant symptoms from either illness, or allergies brought on by the dry air. Humidifiers have even been proven to reduce some snoring! However, as with any other gadget you bring into your home, it is important to know how to properly use your humidifier. If used incorrectly, humidifiers have the potential to actually worsen your symptoms, or trigger new symptoms to appear!
One of the most common humidifier mistakes people make is allowing the humidity level to rise too high. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, you should ideally keep humidity under 60 percent in the summer and between 25-40 percent humidity in the winter. This is important to watch out for because excessive levels of humidity can worsen your allergy symptoms, especially if your known allergens include dust mites, molds, and mildew. If the air in the room feels oddly dense, curtains/pillows feel damp, or you have condensation built up on windows or window sills, you should reduce the humidity immediately as those are all signs that the room’s humidity is too high.
Another common mistake is forgetting to clean your humidifier out regularly, or letting water sit in the tank for several days. Remember that you are going to be breathing in what this machine puts out. Without regular cleaning, a humidifier can become breeding ground for bacteria and mold that you definitely don’t want to be breathing in. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on cleaning your device, and always empty the tank when it is not in use.
All in all, humidifiers do a lot more good than bad. If you take proper care of your device, you can rest easy knowing that you’re doing the best you can to keep your family healthy!
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