by Betty Carew

Created on: July 06, 2010

Humidifiers can be a welcomed relief during the winter months or if the climate you live in is extra dry. They are capable of giving sweet relief for those that suffer from breathing problems brought on by flu and colds, dry cracked lips, dry itchy skin and a host of other problems brought on by air that is void of moisture. However this been said there are some precautions that should be taken if you are using a humidifier in your home. Here are some ideas on how to use a humidifier.

Regardless of the type of humidifier you have in your home the use and care is basically the same. Whether it is a small humidifier that stands on a table or a humidifier that is on your furnace the same care should be taken except on a different scale.

Always read the manufactures instruction that comes with your humidifier that will instruct you on specific details of using the humidifier. For safety purposes a humidifier should be placed out of the reach of children.

It is important that you know the level of moisture in your home before activating a humidifier. You can do this by purchasing a hydrometer or some humidifiers come with a built in hydrometer. If you need to purchase one they can be found at your local hardware store.

These meters will tell you if you need a humidifier as well as keep track of humidity levels if you have a humidifier. Humidity levels in a home should not exceed more than fifty percent. If the levels exceed this amount it can lead to the growth of biological organisms. You should always pay attention to the level of moisture in your home and adjust your humidifier accordingly.

When you use a humidifier it is best to use distilled water. Tap water holds an excess of minerals which can be transported to the air via your humidifier. Although distilled water holds some minerals it is at a much lower level which makes your humidifier a little less likely to disperse as many minerals into the air when in operation. Some humidifiers come with filters and cartridges but keep in mind that these should be changed on a regular base.

It is of the utmost importance not to let water stand in your humidifier and the tank should be cleaned on a daily bases and fresh water placed in the tank.  This will cut down on the unwanted mold and mildews that could be released in the air from stagnant water.

Your tank can be cleaned with a three percent  hydrogen peroxide solution mixed with clean water to eliminate the chance of something nasty growing on the inside

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