Using a humidifier in the bedroom at night

[ThelmaLou]

I acquired this humidifierthrough strange circumstances described here.

I have central heat in my house, and I know I must snore (although my dog Sweetie is too polite to tell me) because I wake up with the inside of my mouth as dry as Death Valley. I seem to hear Ronnie Reagan promoting 20 Mule Team Borax in the distance.

I’ve been running the humidifier all night, but it isn’t helping. At first I ran it on the quiet setting, but last night I ran it on the highest setting and still, Death Valley. The water is disappearing from the bottle, although last night it seemed to me the water level didn’t go down as much I expected, given the high setting.

The filter is a couple of weeks old. The manual says to change monthly.

I never had a humidifier before. Any thoughts on what I might be doing wrong?

[Morgenstern]

Just to rule it out, have you discussed sleep apnea with your MD?

[ThelmaLou]

Actually,no. Interesting. I’ll look into that.

[FairyChatMom]

I’ve run a cool air mist humidifier but spousal unit says it’s too noisy, so I gave up on it. FWIW, I sleep on a wedge (that’s not me, tho I’m as stunning when I sleep… no drool, nope) and I rarely wake with a dry mouth and throat. Spousal unit says it stopped my snoring, too. So, another option.

[ThelmaLou]

I always sleep on a wedge, too.

As for noise, foam rubber earplugs take care of that.

[Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor]

Cool mists are bad, because of bacterial growth.
You gotta clean them, often.

Steam is what I stick with.

[ThelmaLou]

Presumably this one has an ultraviolet feature that sanitizes the water.

[Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor]

@ThelmaLou

Presumably this one has an ultraviolet feature that sanitizes the water.

Plenty don’t–why do you think this?

[ThelmaLou]

@Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor

Plenty don’t–why do you think this?

Um…because it says so at the link in the OP:

The humidifier’s scientifically proven process uses a patented Ultra-Violet light technology to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria, mold, fungus, and virus in the unit’s water. This provides the assurance that the moisture the humidifier emits is virtually free of germs.

1. Untreated tap water flows from the water tank into the UV water path where it is exposed to ultra-violet light which kills mold, bacteria, fungus and virus.

2. The sanitized water enters the base where it is absorbed by the wicking filter.

3. Dry indoor air is drawn through the filter absorbing the moisture.

4. Up to 99.9% Germ Free moisture is emitted into the air as a fine visible mist.

From Consumer Reports:

In addition, there was no bacterial growth in the tank of the Honeywell HCM-350 evaporative model or the Vicks V150SGN vaporizer.

[Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor]

@ThelmaLou

Um…because it says so at the link in the OP:

From Consumer Reports:

OK.

[rowrrbazzle]

As Morgenstern suggests, dry air might not be the problem. See your doctor and/or your dentist.

With central heating, the humidified air may be circulating out of your bedroom. Get a hygrometer. The cheap ones aren’t too accurate, but they’ll at least give you an idea of the humidity change with and without the humidifier.