Humidifiers keep your hair, skin, and lungs happy - here's how to use them

There are two basic types of humidifiers: hot and cold.

Simply stated: You want the hot type.

The reason is that the hot and most warm humidifiers disperse moisture into the air by forced evaporation. Water enters the air as water molecules, and any contaminants such as bacteria, mold, and toxic chemicals are left behind in the reservoir.

Compared to warm mist humidifiers, cold and ultrasonic humidifiers create tiny water droplets that not only contain water but also the germs and impurities that hide in the water reservoirs. These dirty droplets will get into the nasal passages, throat, wind pipe and the lungs as well as spread a white haze over the room. The ultrasonic humidifiers are the most dangerous since they create microscopic droplets that can pass into the farthest reaches of the lungs and cause pneumonias.

Once you have the hot or warm mist humidifier you want, you need a way to measure the level of humidity in the room. Humidity meters, better known as hygrometers, are cheap and readily available at most hardware stores or online. They cost about $8 to $10 and are either mechanical or electronic. These instruments usually have a thermometer incorporated in them.

Place the humidifier up on a dresser or strong shelf with a metal pan or tray under it. All humidifiers leak some, and the tray will protect your furniture. Place a fan behind the unit in order to mix room air with the heated, humidified air, to distribute the mix, and to prevent a “hot spot” on the ceiling about the unit.

To use them, place the meter away from the humidifier, crank up the unit to full, and wait until the room humidity reaches 40%. When it does, dial back the humidistat dial until the unit clicks off. Thereafter, you will only need to keep the reservoirs full and clean the heating chamber every 2 to 3 weeks to remove mineral deposits.