Portable Humidifiers - Humidification On The Go

Many people use portable humidifiers to increase moisture levels in the air inside their homes. The moisture addition to dry air helps relieve the physical discomforts of dry nose, throat, lips, and skin. These humidifiers are a safe product to use provided they are regularly cleaned and disinfected. Other wise people suffering from asthma, other respiratory problems and allergies could face increased breathing difficulties. Portable cool mist humidifiers are usually small and can be used anywhere. Small tabletop models are efficient in both size and moisture output. Some have a moisture output of around 3 gallons per day and can humidify about 700 square feet area. Larger portable units with up to 9 gallons moisture output, covering larger areas up to 3200 square feet are mounted on castors for easy mobility. Some come with a humidistat for automatic control of humidity at the desired level. Models without humidistat have to be turned on and off manually.

Caring for Portable Humidifiers

Like all other humidifiers, portable units need to be regularly cleaned too. It is advisable to empty out the left over water after every use, and clean and disinfect the reservoir. Cool mist humidifiers do not boil water and so bacteria are not killed. Rather, they accumulate and multiply in stagnant water. Restarting the humidifier with this water will cause bacteria to infect the air in your home.

Things to do when using portable humidifiers:

• Daily empty and wash the reservoir with soapy water.
• Rinse under running water taking care water does not get into the motor.
• Fill reservoir up to the appropriate level.
• On a weekly basis empty and wash the reservoir with soapy water.
• After rinsing, add 2 cups white vinegar and enough water to the reservoir to enable the humidifier to create a mist.
• Run the humidifier, in a well-ventilated area, for 30 minutes.
• Rinse the reservoir again.
• Run the humidifier for a few minutes on tap water.
• Remove this water and refill the reservoir up to the appropriate level.

You can use tap or distilled water in your humidifier, though the latter is preferred. Use of water with low mineral content will prevent build-up of scale and dispersal of minerals into the air. Various portable cool mists, vaporizing or ultrasonic humidifiers are on the market. Portable humidifiers are economical, operate noiselessly, and are easy to use.