Humidifiers are useful all year round. Ease the dryness in your nose and throat at work or at home caused by long hours of air-conditioning during the summer. Relieve dry, itchy skin in winter when the air is cold and dry. If these conditions sound similar, get yourself a humidifier to add needed moisture for more comfort and properly ventilate your space.

Tips for choosing a humidifier

1. Divided into three types of humidification methods with each offering different advantages.

Humidification method	Principle	Advantages	Suitable for
Ultrasonic type	Ultrasonic waves vibrate water and atomise it into vapour	No heat vapour is produced No noise	Summer Those for want a quiet environment
Steam type	Boils water to create a mist of steam	Hot steam keeps room warm Boiling process kills germs and bacteria	Winter Keeps room warm
Vapour type	Disperses water absorbed by the filter	No hot vapour Low power consumption	Summer Energy saving

2. Humidifying capacity

A humidifier with a large capacity is not always the best option. Choose according to furnishing and environment. Homes with higher ceilings and raw wood materials require a higher capacity but note that most models do not measure the degree of humidity. Consider getting yourself a humidity meter to monitor moisture level in a room and choose one according to your needs.

3. Safety feature

Most humidifiers are designed with safety in mind so check out the safety features. For example, you can choose a humidifier with low water level warning and auto no water shut-off function to avoid any accidents at home for peace of mind.

4. Aromatherapy

For those who desire for a more relaxing environment, add essential oils into your humidifier like SMARTECH N52 Aroma Humidifier with Starry Sky Projector. If you want to emit fragrance and moisture at the same time, select a model which offers both these functions. Remember to find the right aromatherapy oil as essential oils erode the plastic surface and could damage the humidifier.

5. Silent mode

If you are very noise sensitive, get a humidifier with quiet mode. As mentioned in the table above, ultrasonic humidifiers that use ultrasonic vibrations are the quietest and will not disturb your sleep for a good night's rest like OSIM uMist Dream . Some come with display information on noise level. Hope these pointers can help you make a more informed choice!

Tips for using humidifiers

1. Use purified, distilled, or cold boiled water

Water contains microorganisms, bacteria, metals, and other impurities. These could enter the body through the humidifying mist and could be a health hazard. Fill the humidifier with pure water when it is switched on. If pure water is not available, distilled water or cold boiled water will do.

2. Change water daily and clean the humidifier regularly

Water containing impurities affects health while stagnant water breeds mould and bacteria. Change the water daily, wipe the humidifier with a soft cloth, rinse the water tank and fill it with fresh water. The humidifier should also be cleaned and disinfected regularly with a special antimicrobial agent to avoid the accumulation of impurities.

3. Never keep the humidifier on too long

The weather in Hong Kong is often hot and humid so there is no need to keep the humidifier running all day long. The right level of humidity offers a more comfortable environment with indoor humidity best at around 40%-60%. This not only prevents the growth of mould but also prevents discomfort caused by a heat stroke.