A comfortable indicator of humidity in the room is 40-60%. When the figure falls below the minimum mark, the mucous membrane in the mouth and nose dries up, various ailments appear. Devices that saturate the air with moisture come to the rescue. Modern models additionally know how to clean the air from dust, allergens, and fill them with aromas.
But if permissible drip oil into a humidifier air can salt be added? The benefits of sea air and even just salty air are proven and obvious. On the seashore, it forms naturally: in the form of an aerosol, when the wind blows off the foam from the waves of the surf. In the salt caves, there is salt dust that we breathe. But is it possible to experiment with a humidifier to create a similar indoor climate?
In this article, we will analyze this issue in detail - let's talk about whether it is permissible to add salt to a household humidifier and which models are capable of evaporating water with additives. We also focus on whether it is advisable to use a humidifier as an inhaler. We will provide the presented material with thematic photos and useful video recommendations.
The content of the article:
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Adding salt to different types of humidifiers
- Features of traditional devices
- The nuances of using steam devices
- Operation of ultrasonic units
- The nuances of preparing water for the tank
- Comparison of a vaporizer with an inhaler
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Adding salt to different types of humidifiers
At operation of the humidifier you need to follow the instructions for a specific model. Only in this document the purpose of the device is described in detail and what is strictly forbidden to do during its use.
The study of recommendations for the operation of devices of different types from different manufacturers gives an understanding of the general rules. These tips can be summarized and applied to the use of specific types of humidifiers.
There are several types of humidifiers in the trading network, which differ both externally and in the principle of operation: ultrasonic, steam, traditional
Instructions for devices often contain clear instructions to pour purified water into the tank due to the sensitivity of the parts to various impurities. However, some humidifier designs do accept oils and salt.
Many modern models have a special capsule designed for aromatic mixtures. Loading salt into it does not always lead to the desired effect, but it also does not damage the elements of the device.
Features of traditional devices
Eco-friendly, safe, simple devices. Their principle of operation is based on natural evaporation of water.
The devices have built-in fans that blow off the wetted cartridges. By adjusting the fan speed, you can change the intensity of humidification
Traditional humidifiers are versatile and suitable for any environment. The only drawback is the high cost.
These devices are not so sensitive to the quality of the water being poured. But manufacturers categorically do not recommend adding salt to the tank, from where it will evaporate and spread around the room with a fan.
During operation, you need to fill the container with clean tap water, the temperature of which does not exceed 40 degrees. The instructions indicate that the utensils for filling the tank must be cleaned of chemical additives, mineral fertilizers, cleaning agents.
Dissolving ordinary or sea salt, fragrances in water will damage the parts of the air humidifier, cause cracking, leaks.
The result of neglecting these requirements will be the breakdown of the unit's components, the fallout of whitish particles into the air, their settling on pieces of furniture and interior.
The nuances of using steam devices
Water is poured into the steam humidifier and heated to the boiling point. The principle of the device is similar to an electric kettle.
Intense evaporation leads to a sharp increase in the level of humidity and temperature in the room. Therefore, the device is equipped with a special sensor - a hygrostat, which monitors the permissible limits and turns off the steam generator if they are exceeded.
Excessive humidity is no less dangerous than dry air. Excess moisture settles in the form of condensation on window panes and other surfaces, creating favorable conditions for the development of mold and pathogenic bacteria
The steam appliance must not be left unattended in rooms where there are children, but it can be used for air aromatization or inhalation, if there is no express prohibition in the instructions. The expediency of carrying out medical procedures using a humidifier will be discussed below.
Most manufacturers recommend filling the water tank with clean water only. The official ban also includes mineral water. And carbonated liquid, when heated in a closed tank, can even lead to a mini-explosion.
You cannot add essential oil to the water in a steam humidifier; it is permissible to apply a few drops of liquid to the steam outlet
Limitations may be related to the design features of the device. In some models, it is difficult clear internal elements of the apparatus from oils, salt and other deposits.
The presence of impurities in the water can degrade the quality of the steam humidifier and cause damage to expensive equipment.
Operation of ultrasonic units
In these devices, water from a special container enters the ultrasonic membrane, where, under the influence of high frequencies, the drops are broken into microelements.
Further, the particles are spread throughout the room by natural or forced air currents.
This principle of operation provides an increase in humidity in large rooms. Another indisputable advantage of the device is its low noise level.
But if the ultrasonic humidifier is not initially equipped with additional filters, this makes it sensitive to the quality of the water used. All contaminants from unfiltered liquid will settle on the main filter and lead to device breakdown.
The principle of operation of the device contributes to the settling of all impurities on the surrounding objects. When grinding substances from water, the membrane vibrates and turns particles into a water suspension, so it is advisable not to use additives.
A mandatory requirement in the operating instructions for most ultrasonic humidifiers is the use of purified or distilled water. Adding salt, oils, emollients and other impurities is prohibited.
Even a pinch of salt can damage the appliance and damage your home property. The manufacturer is not responsible for such experiments; warranty repairs in such cases are paid by the user in full.
We have provided more recommendations on the operation of an ultrasonic humidifier in this material.
The nuances of preparing water for the tank
For absolutely all models of humidifiers, the rule works: the better the water is, the longer and better the device will work.
Steam devices can be filled with tap water, but filtered. If it is not cleaned first, a sludge will form, which negatively affects the operation of the device.
From an everyday point of view, models, capricious to the quality of water, are problematic in service, but they also work more efficiently than unpretentious "colleagues"
The most demanding ones are ultrasonic ones. They need reverse osmosis filtered or distilled water. Exceptions are more expensive devices with several replaceable filters. We talked about making distilled water at home in this material.
The hardness of the water also matters. When excessively hard water flows from the tap, it is more convenient to purchase a steam or traditional appliance.
Test strips or special kits for determining water hardness are available in the assortment line of aquarium stores. The parameters can also be found in Vodokanal
If you liked the ultrasonic model, the manufacturer of which recommends filling the tank with only distilled water, it is inexpensive and is sold at the nearest auto store.
Comparison of a vaporizer with an inhaler
Many users believe that a humidifier can be used for inhalations. But is it really that effective?
The humidifier creates intense steam and irrigates the room with micro-drops of water. Inhalers work on a similar principle, in which you can add saline or salt.
But the task of the inhaler is to transport drugs deep into the respiratory tract, so you cannot put it with a humidifier.
The loss of medication when using a professional inhaler is about 30%. If you use a moisturizer for these purposes, the numbers will approach 90%, which will give a dubious effect of the procedure.
Manufacturers of inhalers calculate the dispersion of particles, the speed of their movement. To get into the necessary parts of the respiratory tract, drugs must take a certain form.
The device and principle of operation of inhalers differs from humidifiers, therefore, drugs, oils and saline solutions can be added to the former.
Any inhaler consists of a main unit, a mouthpiece or face mask, connecting tubes, and a medication container. After starting the device, the air combines with the drug, an aerosol cloud is formed
In addition, the chemical composition of the water changes in the humidifier and its use as an inhaler is useless. But the first device saturates the air in the room with moisture and can be used both for prophylaxis and in complex therapy in the treatment of diseases of the nasopharynx.
In a duet with an inhaler, a humidifier greatly facilitates the process of getting rid of ailments associated with drying out mucous membranes or the appearance of bacteria and viruses on them.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Analysis of moisture indicators in different conditions. Demonstration of the device and the principle of operation of different types of humidifiers:
Causes of breakdowns in humidifiers. What happens to the board when permanent condensation appears:
Using an aquarium test as an example, the determination of water hardness is shown.
The main humidifier purpose - increase the humidity of the air. It can perform additional functions, but this will definitely be indicated in the characteristics of the device.
To avoid problems with the device, you must adhere to the clear recommendations of the manufacturer for the selected model. If the instructions say “use only clean water”, then you should do so. If there are no direct prohibitions on the use of additives or there is a capsule in the design, you can experiment with salt.
What type of humidifier do you have? Are you adding salt to it? Tell us about your experience of using the device - the feedback block is located below. If you still have questions or want to clarify a number of points that we did not consider in this material, ask them to our experts and other visitors to our site.