Note to Self: Buy New Humidifier

My mother always used a humidifier for me and my siblings when we were suffering from allergies or had colds so I knew I wanted one for my daughter’s nursery. I picked this one out about 4 years ago because it was affordable, got decent reviews, and came from a brand I trust.

The basics
The Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier 3500 has three speeds. The refillable tank holds 1.2 gallons of water and has a well-sealed twist-off cover on its underside. The vent on this table top humidifier is on top of the filter half, which is easily lifted to replace worn filters. This humidifier sells for about $40 and replacement Kaz filters cost $4.99 at Target. My humidifier also came with a sample Protec cleaning cartridge that can be dropped into the water tank to prevent the growth of mold, fungus, algae, and bacteria.

My experience
My cousin bought this humidifier for me before my daughter was born. I’ve used it in both my room and in hers ever since (the last 3 ½ years). It is still running well and as long as I remember to change the filter and the Protec cartridge, the water smells and looks clean.

When my daughter was a newborn, I ran this humidifier every night. We do have a humidifier tied into our HVAC system but in the winter it still leaves the bedrooms (at the end of the system) dry. Last year, I used the humidifier in my room because I was getting nose bleeds from my pregnancy. This past winter, I didn’t use it as often since we upgraded our HVAC system last year but I run it on days when one or all of my family members were stuffy from colds or allergies.

Although this unit has three speeds, the only one my husband can sleep through is the lowest setting. Unfortunately, I find that the lowest setting does almost nothing to add moisture to my bedroom (16 x 14 ft room), even when run overnight. The highest speed is the most effective but it sounds really loud. It drowns out the TV! So I try to run it on high before I go to bed and then put it on the middle setting to sleep. The middle setting is quiet enough to work through but it is a little loud for sleeping. I can sleep through the middle setting, but I can also sleep through my husband playing Madden football on his PS3. So, yes, both the middle and high settings are loud for bedtime. In my daughter’s room, I leave it on the middle setting and it adds a nice amount of white noise.

Running on the highest speed, the tank needs to be refilled by the morning (about 6 hours). The middle setting is good for two nights.

Refilling the tank is a bit of a pain. The cover is on the bottom of the tank so I need to flip it when I lift it off the base and there’s often water accumulated there, which drips on me and my furniture. I usually wipe it dry with paper towels. The seal on the cover is tight so I don’t worry about it dripping on me after I refill the tank but it is very heavy to hold upside down with one hand while holding it under the kitchen faucet. Poor design, if you ask me. No matter what I do, the cover ends up with a little residual water on the outside after I refill the tank and the drops always land on my shirt and feet. Just what you want before going to bed.

I believe the instructions say to change the filter every 3 months. I do it every 6 months and find that that’s adequate, especially since I don’t run this humidifier every night and I buy the Protec drop-in cartridges.

Overall
I wouldn’t buy this humidifier again. It’s OK for occasional use, but it’s too loud and awkward to refill for every day. I’m surprised I haven’t bought a replacement yet. I guess I’m just lazy about some things.