Posted by Ashley on January 30th, 2009
Using a humidifier in the wintertime can be a great fix for the health, comfort, and interior problems caused by dry air. By dispersing an invisible mist of moisture throughout a space, these appliances help relieve dry and itchy skin, moisturize parched respiratory passages, and reduce the amount of static electricity in your indoor environment. However, when not properly cared for and maintained, a humidifier can quickly become a health hazard. Here’s how.
All humidifiers, regardless of their type, carry a risk of bacteria and mold growth. This may be the result of two things: (a.) Failing to clean the humidifier’s components and change the water regularly; and (b.) Filling the humidifier with mineral-rich tap water. When bacteria and mold grow and multiply inside a humidifier, traces of them can be released into the air you breathe. Read more about the importance of maintaining your humidifier
Posted by Ashley on November 25th, 2008
If you’re anything like me, you hate flu season. You loathe those times – mostly between November and March – when you can just feel the influenza coming on. During these times, everything you do is performed in a fatigued slow motion. You start popping a daily vitamin C, a powdery-tasting Zicam tablet, and maybe one of those ugly green Echinacea capsules just to be safe. You wash your hands twice as much as you usually do (and for me, that’s a lot!). You get plenty of rest (out like a light at 10!) and hope that this run-down feeling passes. To put it plainly, if you’re anything like me, you’ll do everything short of declaring yourself under quarantine during flu season to prevent catching the flu.
Read more about flu prevention
Posted by john on October 30th, 2008
On ABC News, Dr. Melissa McNeil recently explained how humidifiers can help treat cold symptoms in children.
A viewer asked, “Many parents use humidifiers in their young children’s rooms when they have a cold. Do they really do any good?” Read more about humidifiers and cold symptoms
Posted by john on October 26th, 2008
Vornado humidifiers not only make your environment healthier and more comfortable, but they also help to lower your heating bill (moreso than other humidifiers).
If you’ve used a Vornado fan or heater, then you’re familiar with the vornado fan technology; that’s the secret behind the efficiency of these humidifiers. Vornado humidifiers even out a room’s temperature by recovering and re-circulating lost heat from the ceiling. Once moisture is added to the dry, winter air, the air feels warmer and holds onto heat better. Read more about Vornado humidifiers
Posted by john on September 27th, 2008
Keep your indoor relative humidity below 50 percent to avoid growth of mold and dust mites. That’s standard advice for allergy sufferers. But what exactly is relative humidity?
Relative humidity is a measurement of the amount of water vapor in the air expressed as a percentage of how much water vapor the air could hold. If relative humidity is 100 percent, for example, then it’s raining. Most people are comfortable with an indoor relative humidity of 45 to 50 percent. When relative humidity goes above 50 percent, the excess moisture in the air makes it easier for mold and dust mites to spread. Read more about relative humidity
Posted by john on September 21st, 2008
The weather is just beginning to get cooler, and big box stores are already lining their shelves with humidifiers. These machines not only soothe dry skin and dry sinuses, but they also make winter air feel warmer and more comfortable (which saves money on heating bills). The problem with many of the inexpensive humidifiers in big box stores is that they emit “white dust” into the air; this dust comes from minerals in the water. Essick Air humidifiers, on the other hand, do not produce white dust because of their patented evaporative technology.
Essick Air humidifiers (formerly known as Bemis humidifiers) contain a wick that allows the water to naturally evaporate into the air. A wick filter retains any minerals in the water so that only pure water vapor goes into your air. Read more about Essick Air humidifiers
Posted by john on September 8th, 2008
Humidifiers offer many health benefits, especially during the winter. They restore moisture to the air and thus restore moisture to your skin, lips, throat, and nose. Those who suffer from sinusitis know that dry air can be irritating and painful when it hits the nasal mucosa. Humidifiers also make the indoor environment more comfortable – humid air feels warmer than dry air – and humidifiers can help you save money on heating bills.
However, humidifiers must be cared for and cleaned properly, or else you might experience some unwanted side effects. Read more about humidifiers
