Take the edge off a cold with this AMAZING humidifier.

This not your mom's old humidifier. I remember the ones from the 70's and they have been updated for our needs today. Overall I would say this is a 10/10 stars, as I am totally happy with my humidifier.

I bought this last year when my whole family was coming down with sinus, stuffy head colds and such. I like to take the most natural routes possibly before having to turn to over the counter medication or prescriptions. This, I have to say helps. Does it produce miracles? No, but I definitely do feel a difference when using it.

First off, it's pretty large, about a foot high or more. It comes with a water tank holder and you just take that out and flip it upside down, and you will unscrew the cap with rubber around it. You fill it with cold water, screw the cap back on and place back in the unit. Then all you have to do is plug it in (set it on a table or nightstand near you) and turn it on a level you like. There are a few settings and other cool things it offers such as the compartment piece that you fill with some Vick's Vaposteam (essentially an oil mixture that melts into the air with the steam and produces the famous Vick's menthol scent), this is added to help clear lungs and nose. Personally, I do NOT use this (I have not purchased or used this method, although I wouldn't mind trying at some point). I personally put in a few drops of tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil and peppermint oils that I have on hand. They lightly let off scent with the steam (just a tad). I'm sure Vick's would be even more scented.

So what it does when you turn it on, is it lights up around the button where you switch it to the level you want which is high or low. I like it on high since I have large rooms. It's a cool blue color, very nice in the dark. There are really only a few pieces you have to clean or keep together, the screw cap with rubber fittings, the water tank, and the piece that pops out for the menthol to come out. You can opt not to use that part or that at all, it's just an added bonus. It lasts up to 12 hours when you fill the tank completely, so you are not running to the sink every hour or two (who wants to when they are sick?). It's also dishwasher safe (pretty cool!) and you can use as a nightlight as you are using it. I would not leave unattended in a child's room at all. It has a boiling tank that produces the steam. It makes a sort of lulling (white noise)...you can hear it slightly boiling that's about as loud as it gets. It's not annoying and doesn't interfere with me say watching TV or distract me in any way. The tank holds 1 gallon.

Some tips would be to never overfill it, and wash it out when you can (all the pieces that you can wash) so you never grow any mold. Turn off all fans (like in the bathrooms), close doors and do not turn on air filters. Air filters don't like the moistness. Also do not let any kids anywhere near it, it could get very hot or spill. Do not put on a wobbly stand or table. If it spilled, it could burn you. But I will say it never does get too hot. It's built in such a way (tall-wise) that I can put my hand over it and the steam does not burn my hand.

The average going price is around $35, which Drugstore.com and Target.com sell it for. I bought it at Bartell's for around the same price. Great thing to have in a dry climate or in drier weather (or when sick). It helps when I'm sick, I'll feel about 20 or 30% better when using it, helping me to fight off my illness. My skin will feel a bit more supple, too. I should use it more often in the winter for sure.