Should Humidifier Run All Night?

Humidifiers became an inevitable device in bedrooms, especially during the winter. A lot of people run heating even during the night to keep themselves cozy and toasty while they sleep. However, that has several downsides such as dried out air that leads to a plethora of issues. That’s where air humidifiers come to the scene.

However, a lot of people wonder whether they should run an air humidifier all night and what could that bring to their health. Don’t worry, we wrote this article to help you understand why air humidifiers are important for your health during winter and how to optimize its usage to wake up fresh in the morning.

People who live in parts of the world with dry climate often search for a resort in using humidifiers. Humidifiers are small devices placed against the wall or on a nightstand that keep the room air moist rather than dry. Humidifiers usually have small water dispensers which generate water vapor that purifies the air in the room.

However, people who live in the hot and dry areas aren’t the only people who enjoy using humidifiers. A lot of people with heaters in the room know the pain of waking up with a dry throat and congested nose. Dry air in the room can lead to several problems such as dry skin, dry throat, persistent cough as well as dry and cracked lips.

People find it easier to enjoy the cool night in bed while a humidifier is running, keeping the air moist, and comfortable. Moreover, people with asthma and other respiratory issues can find it beneficial to wake up to moist air. People with eczema fight the dry and sore skin regularly, which is less likely a case with a good humidifier. A study shows that low humidity can help the survival of the influenza virus, suggesting that the best ways to fight it are with air humidifiers.

However, as is the case with every device, a lot of people have concerns about whether they should keep an electronic appliance running all night.

With that in mind, we crafted this article to give you the most reliable answer.

Can Your Humidifier Run All Night?

This question confuses a lot of people because most electronic devices aren’t safe to be on for extended amounts of time. Nevertheless, you can lay to sleep with your humidifier. It’ll vaporize the air, allowing you to sleep peacefully and soundly.

There are different types of humidifiers, such as evaporative (cold mist) moisturizers, warm mist humidifiers, and all-home humidifiers. Now, most people use portable and compact humidifiers because they’re more affordable and easier to implement and maintain.

On the other hand, all-home humidifiers make more sense in large and smart homes that come with thermostats and other smart appliances that can intelligently set and accommodate the appropriate level of humidity in your apartment.

Lastly, the ultrasonic humidifiers are also a popular thing among the home humidifiers and offer more benefits than the above-mentioned models.

The most commonly-used humidifiers are cold mist and warm mist humidifiers, so people have the most concerns about keeping them on for 24 hours.

People who live with small and inquisitive kids prefer using cool mist humidifiers to prevent accidents with hot water inside the device. Those who are concerned about bacteria, mold, and general humidifier maintenance are better off using warm mist humidifiers.

While air humidifiers are safe to use throughout the entire night and even days, there are certain conditions under which they can operate to maintain their functionality and remain safe for your household.

Humidifiers Are Safe Under Certain Conditions

Now, let’s look at those certain conditions and see how you can improve the environment you sleep in to make the best use of humidifiers, keeping your room moist and providing great sleep quality.

Condition 1: It Needs a Hygrometer to Warn You About Excessive Humidity

You need to ensure that the humidity levels in your room are between 30% and 50%. While most of the better-branded humidifiers come with a built-in sensor that can measure humidity, some more affordable options don’t. That’s why you need a hygrometer.

A hygrometer is an instrument that can measure humidity in your household. Most homes have it, but some don’t, which is why it’s important to keep an eye to the humidity levels. High humidity levels can make it harder for you to breathe, especially if a baby is laying in the same room where the humidifier is positioned.

Even though humidity helps hydrate your skin and body, high levels of humidity can be risky as they can cause dehydration. It can also cause the thriving of bacteria, mildew, mold and dust mites at humidity higher than 60%. It’s known that humidity level of 40%-50% can kill all sort of microbes, which is why it’s important to keep it low.

Condition 2: You’re Attentive About the Humidity Levels

While all devices are going smart fast, they’re not all-knowing. It’s important to be attentive and check the device’s values regularly. If you feel it’s getting too humid in the room or entire apartment, it’s important to change the values before it becomes an ideal safe ground for mold to reproduce.

Condition 3: You Don’t Use Tap Water to Supply Humidifier

Tap water is rich in minerals, and sometimes even metals and other compounds that we can’t normally see or taste. That said, tap water causes a buildup of plaque that can lead to the development of bacteria and other microbes, as well as mold. As a result, you may notice white and stains of other colors surrounding your furniture in the house.

Condition 4: You Need to Clean The Filter Several Times a Week

When you use an air humidifier, you’re breathing the air that got purified from the water dispenser inside of it. That said, you should regularly clean the mentioned water dispenser to be able to breathe in healthy air. As we open and close the tank, small portions of air, dust, or bacteria get inside, and after a few days, they may replicate, making dust and mold spread through the air.

Condition 5: Replace The Water Frequently

We know that replacing the water and getting the right kind of water may appear a bit annoying to you, but it extends the lifespan of your humidifier, and more importantly, it makes your sleep environment purer, as the air you breathe in is clean and healthy.

With that in mind, you should clean your filters and tank, whenever you change the water in the humidifier, and that makes it every few days.

Conclusion

Air humidifiers and heaters go hand-in-hand together during the winter months. One keeps you warm and cozy, while the other one allows you to breathe in fresh and cool air while you sleep. Remember that a fresh and cool sleep environment is of utmost importance for the quality of your sleep and dreams, which directly reflects on your overall health.

If we put away the small conditions you need to make to maintain your humidifier, then using a humidifier is easy and safe to run throughout the entire night. There are a lot of benefits of using a humidifier entire night, such as:

• Better sleep quality
• Less snoring and symptom reduction for sleep apnea
• More hydration for your plants
• Hydration for skin, hair, and nails.
• Relieving of common cold and flu symptoms
• Speedy recovery from illness
• No morning voice

… and much more.