Cool mist humidifiers are a great way to improve the air quality in your home. Due to the name, however, some people are unsure about how it really works.
Will a cool mist humidifier make the room colder? Is it safe to use around babies or those with allergies or asthma? How do they work, exactly?
In this article, we’ll answer all of those questions and more. We’ll also give you a few tips on how to choose the best cool mist humidifier for your needs.
What Are the Benefits of a Cool Mist Humidifier?
For a device that’s so simple – it just emits a fine mist – cool mist humidifiers offer a lot of amazing benefits:
- Reduces dry skin and nasal passages
- Increases air moisture for easier breathing
- Helps relieve cough due to cold or flu
- Helps relieve symptoms of minor throat and mouth irritation
- Lessens the chance of airborne illnesses like the flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia
- Reduces static electricity in the air and helps stop hair from frizzing
- Improves indoor air quality by decreasing dust, dirt, and allergens
- Helps fight against major respiratory illnesses like asthma, colds, bronchitis
- Increases comfort and relaxation for those who live or work inside the home or building
- Helps relieve symptoms of sinusitis, asthma, and allergies in some people
In short, cool mist humidifiers can help make you and everyone in your home healthier and more comfortable.
They also work quietly while they increase humidity levels. This makes them a popular choice for bedrooms, nurseries, or anywhere else you want to improve the air quality without any noise distractions.
Read Also: Is 70% Humidity in the House Good or Bad?
How Does a Cool Mist Humidifier Work?
Cool mist humidifiers come in two types: evaporative humidifiers and ultrasonic humidifiers. They’re very similar in function, but their designs are a bit different:
Evaporative Humidifiers
These models work by pushing air through a wet wick. The wicking material is usually made of felt or foam, and you’ll need to replace it every now and then.
The air then picks up the moisture as it passes through the wick. Some evaporative humidifiers also include a large fan to move the air around.
Ultrasonic Humidifiers
This type of humidifier is very quiet since it’s made to run on ultrasonic vibrations. The water is put into a tank, and as the ultrasonic waves pass through it, they create a fine mist. These humidifiers also have a built-in fan to circulate the air.
Both types of cool mist humidifiers are very effective at increasing the humidity in a room. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find one that will fit perfectly in the space you want to use it.
Read Also: Can You Run a Fan and a Humidifier at the Same Time?
Can We Use a Cool Mist Humidifier in Winter?
Absolutely. They’re incredibly helpful during the warmer summer months, but they’re also great for the colder winter months.
For one, a cool mist humidifier can help to offset the dry air caused by indoor heating, furnaces, and fireplaces.
Secondly, cold weather brings with it the following problems:
- Rashes and dry skin due to low humidity
- Static electricity, which can also cause skin irritation
- Buildup of dust and dirt from forced air heaters
- Increased likelihood of respiratory illnesses, due to dry air
- Dry eyes that tear up constantly
- Cough due to scratchy throats
- Sinus congestion
If you suffer from any of these issues (or worried about it), adding moisture to the air can make your home more comfortable during the winter.
Related: Does Vinegar in Humidifier Really Work for Sinus Congestion?
What’s the Difference Between Cool and Warm Mist Humidifier for Baby?
Because babies are very sensitive to their environment, it’s important to choose the right humidifier for them. In this case, a cool mist humidifier is the best choice.
Warm mist humidifiers can dry out a baby’s skin due to the steam. They can also be a breeding ground for bacteria if not cleaned properly.
Since warm mist humidifiers work by boiling the water inside the tank, there’s always a slight risk of injury if a baby happens to knock the machine over or touch it.
In contrast, cool mist humidifiers are safer because they don’t produce any heat. They also work more quietly, so they’re a better choice for babies who are still trying to get used to sleeping in a room with noise.
So, Will a Cool Mist Humidifier Cool a Room?
No, cool mist humidifiers won’t cool a room or make it cold. Again, as the name suggests, cool mist humidifiers work by dispersing vapor. This causes the room to feel cooler, fresher, and less dry because there’s more moisture in the air.
However, they won’t really affect the temperature since these humidifiers don’t work like a regular fan or AC unit would. That means you shouldn’t expect any sort of major cooling power from your humidifier.
Instead, think of a cool mist humidifier as a way to make your environment more comfortable. It can help reduce the likelihood of dry skin, sinus infections, and other respiratory problems. And it does all this without making any noise or taking up a lot of space.
In conclusion, a cool mist humidifier is a great way to improve your home’s indoor environment throughout the year. These humidifiers are quiet and safe, and require very little maintenance aside from refilling the tank occasionally.
They’re also versatile, offering health benefits during the winter months as well as the summer. Plus, they work beautifully in conjunction with air purifiers or ionizers to make your home an all-around healthier place.
