Updated at: 02-11-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Humidifiers are fantastic and can have a significant impact on your well-being as well as your comfort. The problem is that it can be a little difficult to understand how to use them.

Even more frustrating is the paucity of available resources. If it’s too close to your bed, will it have a negative impact on your sleep or make you feel worse? So, how will this influence your sleep?

If you’re unsure about the ideal distance between your humidifier and your bed, I’ve got some helpful information for you.

Where should you place a humidifier?

You may be surprised to learn that there is no ideal location for your humidifier. But I can offer some general principles that should work for the vast majority.

Tips for positioning a humidifier

  • Place your humidifier at least 3 feet away from your bed if you have a cold.) Here’s an exception to the rule:
  • They can be used on the floor, but ideally they should be at least two feet above it.
  • It is best not to position a humidifier in direct sunlight (Ex.: near a window)
  • Don’t place the unit on top of or extremely close to wooden surfaces that are susceptible to water and moisture damage. It is possible to avoid mist droplets or water spills by placing a water-resistant tray or other cover underneath the machine.
  • A non-metallic, level surface is suitable for this purpose. Do not place on carpet or similar surfaces

Non-metallic, flat surfaces are good. You should avoid placing your order on carpet or any other type of surface

Where to Place a Humidifier: How Close Should It Be to Your Bed? | Weather Station Advisor

A simple humidifier placement diagram

A few feet above the floor on a good, level surface free of water droplets or spills is ideal for a humidifier next to your bed. You may also find it beneficial to have it near the bed if you’re experiencing severe congestion.

Keep your humidifier at least three feet away from your bed and other large furniture under normal circumstances.

A warm mist humidifier near your bed can be beneficial if you have severe congestion, sinus difficulties, or other cold or flu symptoms.

Due to the fact that warm mist products create steam instead of cold air, the experience is similar to taking a hot, steamy shower. Open nasal and sinus airways by inhaling wet, warm air.

When you’re feeling under the weather, having a humidifier right next to your bed is both welcoming and convenient.

During sleep time

You should keep a humidifier at least three feet away from your bed when you’re attempting to get some shut-eye. It’s better to place them where moisture can be spread efficiently and you won’t be around it too much, even though they usually won’t harm anything if too close. Light sleepers may be disturbed by the sounds made by some of these machines.

In contrast to my experience, you are less likely to have trouble waking up when noises are heard if you’re a light sleeper. However, you should be aware that certain humidifiers make noises when operating.

My Vicks model, for example, makes a “gurgling” sound when the water tank valve is opened to fetch more water. Other versions may produce a low-volume sound due to the movement of air.

When put further away from your bed, most high-quality humidifiers are very quiet and unlikely to wake you up while you’re trying to sleep.

And because it can be uncomfortable to your nose and throat, I generally don’t recommend sleeping with a strong source of wetness extremely close to you.

As our body temperatures change when we sleep, you may also find it difficult to get a good night’s rest.

Avoiding sunlight + cleaning notes

Humidifiers should not be placed in direct sunlight, such as near a window. Adding bacteria and even algae to the water tank will speed up the deterioration of the tank.

There will always be a need for maintenance. Using a solution of white vinegar and water, thoroughly clean the tank on a regular basis (typically once a week or every two weeks). As you clean, use a soft towel to wipe off the tank’s interior.

There is no need to use detergent in this situation.

I’ve found that using pure water in mine gives me the best results because it minimizes accumulation.

Should a humidifier be on the floor or a table?

Humidifiers can be placed either on a table or on the floor, but they should be at least 2 feet away from the ground. Over time, the humidity in a room will still be distributed equally. Both product makers and myself advise against using a humidifier by itself without some sort of barrier to prevent spills or water droplets from getting on the surface.

At least two feet above the ground is preferable. Use a strong table that won’t topple over when loaded with a hefty water tank in this situation. You also don’t want somebody tripping over one, so be careful where you set it.

Because of the dangers of spilling water when replacing the tank, it is best to use them with some sort of tray or protective material placed underneath.

In my experience, it’s a common problem although it depends on the design of your particular product.

However, if this is the case, do not set them on the carpet, as this could lead to more issues.

How humidifiers work – Moisture, air, and your home

A common humidifier is seen in this diagram. Models may differ in specifics, but their basic function is the same: liquid water kept in a tank is transformed into a fine mist that rises into the air. When this happens, the humidity levels are raised in a safe and comfortable manner.

It is a humidifier’s job to turn liquid water into a fine mist that is dispersed throughout a room to raise humidity levels.

Despite the fact that not all require electricity to operate, the most common (and frequently the most effective) are powered by a normal outlet.

The vaporizer’s heating element is powered by the power electronics, which convert electrical energy into heat. Vaporizers fall into one of three categories:

  • Thermal (heating element) vaporize

Thermal (warm mist) and ultrasonic (cold mist) varieties are now the most commonly sold types of misters. Both have advantages and disadvantages, which I’ll discuss in more detail below.

There is an escape passageway via which fine mist rises and is disbursed into the room’s air by means of an outlet in the device. Improved health, comfort, and alleviation from low-humidity circumstances can be achieved with the addition of moisture (humidity).

Basic operation

Shown: Filling a cool mist humidifier’s water tank in my home during testing. Nearly all (except, for example, evaporative models) work the same: remove the tank when it runs dry and fill it with clean water. Mineral-heavy water should be avoided!

Shown: Filling a cool mist humidifier’s water tank in my home during testing. Nearly all (except, for example, evaporative models) work the same: remove the tank when it runs dry and fill it with clean water. Mineral-heavy water should be avoided!

  1. During testing, I was shown filling a cool mist humidifier’s water tank at home. All but the evaporative types work in the same way: remove the tank when it’s empty and refill it with fresh water.. Please be aware that mineral-rich water is not advised!
  2. Remove the tank’s cap and disconnect the tank from the rest of the vehicle.
  3. Fill the container with the recommended amount of fresh water (distilled is ideal)
  4. Replace the cap and fasten it with a tight fit.
  5. Carefully place the humidifier’s water tank on the base to prevent spills.
  6. Turn on the humidifier and change the setting to your liking if necessary.

In most circumstances, you’ll only need to refill a water tank a few times a month because it takes several hours for a tank to run out. Typical intervals between expiration of time frames range from nine to twenty-four hours.

To determine how much time you’ll spend filling up your humidifier, you’ll need to know how much water capacity your model has.

There are times when the most expensive option isn’t necessarily best! A few extra bucks spent on a model with a larger tank is a worthwhile investment if you don’t enjoy keeping track of things.

This is especially true if you want to use them all day or all night in a dry region.

How to know when you need a humidifier (and how to check)

“Which humidity level is best?” is one of the most frequently asked queries. Also, “How can I know if my house or room is too dry or too humid? ”

Those are fantastic questions!

Best Position For Humidifier Placement - (It Matters More Than You Think!)

related to the temperature of the air, humidity is expressed as a percentage on a scale from zero to one hundred percent. As a result, “relative humidity” is an often used term.

Relative humidity levels above 30% and below 60% are most comfortable for most people.

Humidity in your home should be between 40 and 50 percent. For the most part, you don’t need it to be exactly at a specific amount.

The perfect humidity level is the one that you, your child, or your house and family are most comfortable with and that alleviates dry air symptoms. It’s a good rule of thumb to strive for a percentage of roughly 50%.

When the humidity drops below 30%, it’s time to turn on the humidifier.

At 30 percent and below, severe dry air conditions become evident. Dry conditions and winters can cause the level to plummet to less than 20%!

When the air is kept at a healthy moisture level as I indicated above, even allergy symptoms are less uncomfortable. This is due to the fact that dry air encourages allergies to multiply and spread more readily.

How to check humidity levels

If you have the correct equipment, checking the humidity level is a cinch. With a cheap meter like No goods found, you can check both the temperature and the relative humidity at a glance.

When trying to figure out the state of the air around you, guessing is a bad idea. To make matters worse, our bodies’ ability to detect changes in temperature and other environmental factors is always changing.

The most accurate way to measure humidity in the present era is with a digital humidity gauge rather than a mechanical one.

It’s a good idea to be able to monitor both humidity and temperature at the same time. The fact that they’re so inexpensive (the majority are around $15) only adds to the appeal of these cutting-edge instruments.

In both my workplace and my personal life, I possess several. At any moment of the day or night, you’ll be able to monitor the correlation between temperature and humidity changes.

Humidifier types

There are several key differences to keep in mind, despite the fact that they appear to be very similar on the surface.

Here are three of the most common humidifiers for personal and household use:

  • a soft, comforting mist
  • Evaporative

Warm mist and cool mist are similar in many ways, but there are a few key distinctions. However, evaporative models have several advantages (and disadvantages) that the other two kinds do not have.

Humidifier type differences

To make water vapor, warm mist models use electricity to generate heat and produce a soft, low-temperature vapor. For colds, congestion, and winter, they’re a must-have.

The negative is that the water mist released heats before it exits the device, increasing the temperature of the room. Because they do not have a dial control like cool mist versions, they have one or more set output levels.

To create an ultra-fine mist at room temperature, cool mist models often use low-power methods such an ultrasonic device. In addition to saving electricity, they’re ideal for usage in arid climates.

Additionally, several versions include near-silent operation and the ability to fine-tune the output volume.

Evaporative humidifiers work as you might expect: water evaporates (assisted by a fan) with a special design meant to boost the humidity in a room. Humidity can’t be raised too high with evaporative humidifiers, for example (above 60 percent ).

As a result of the principles of physics, they can only naturally fill the space left by low moisture.

Guidelines for baby’s room

The good news is that the same rules apply to your child’s room as well. By the way, a child’s cool mist model with a lot of adjustability is one of the greatest sorts to utilize.

There are, however, a few points I’d like to make:

  • Keep the humidifier out of direct sunlight to avoid the spread of mold and germs.
  • As a general rule, it’s best to leave the humidifier door partially open if it’s going to be running nonstop.
  • Sick children typically benefit from using a warm mist model since they are particularly vulnerable to colds and congestion.

To ensure that your youngster can sleep quietly, I recommend purchasing a quiet one.

Key points to remember

Summary of the location of the humidifier

  • A minimum of three feet away from your bed is ideal when using a humidifier.
  • They can be used on the floor, but ideally they should be at least two feet above it.
  • It is best not to position a humidifier in direct sunlight (Ex.: near a window)
  • Don’t place the unit on top of or extremely close to wooden surfaces that are susceptible to water and moisture damage. It is possible to avoid mist droplets or water spills by placing a water-resistant tray or other cover underneath the machine.
  • A non-metallic, level surface is suitable for this purpose. Remove from carpets and similar surfaces if possible.
  • In order to get the best benefits, install humidifiers in the middle of the room or even on one side.

Where to Put a Humidifier In Your Bedroom?

Ideally, a humidifier should be maintained at least a few feet away from your bed at all times. There is no optimum location for a humidifier in your bedroom. As a result, those who are prone to congestion or sinus problems should keep it at least three feet away from their bed. This is why it’s critical to determine the appliance’s intended use before purchasing it.

As an example, placing a warm-mist humidifier near the bed can be quite risky. It’s not hard to imagine how easily an accident can happen if the item is within easy reach.

Consider the humidifier’s capacity as well. Humidifiers that are larger generate more mist than those that are smaller. So if the humidity level in the room is already quite high, placing it too close to your bed can be damaging to your health.

For more information, see: How Close Should a Baby’s Humidifier Be?

Night-time Placement

It’s best to keep the humidifier in an area where the mist can be dispersed evenly as you sleep. It is best to keep your humidifier away from your bed if it produces a lot of mist, as it can irritate your nose and throat.

As a result, having a humidifier too close to your body could be hazardous to your well-being.

The sound the humidifier makes when running is an important consideration when deciding where to put it at night. Although most humidifiers are so quiet that you won’t be bothered by them if they’re situated far away, this is not always the case.

Because of this, it may be best to keep the humidifier at least a foot away from your bed if you’re a light sleeper. Heavy sleepers, on the other hand, needn’t worry about the noise.

Daytime Placement

In no scenario can a humidifier be put in direct sunlight. The equipment should be put away after sunrise, even if it is near a window during the night. Indirect sunlight will encourage the growth of bacteria in a humidifier, and before you know it, your appliance will be unusable.

The humidifier needs to be cleaned with a mixture of water and vinegar on a regular basis. Using distilled water to fill the humidifier will extend the time between cleanings.

Should The Humidifier Be Kept On A Table Or On The Floor?

If you’re looking for a place to put a humidifier, a strong table would be the best option. You need to be careful about where you put it so that it doesn’t fall and cause an accident. As an added precaution, place a piece of absorbent material under the humidifier to catch any spills that may occur while water is being transferred into and out of the appliance.

Large humidifiers (at least 2 feet in height) can be placed on the floor, though. Wheels are a common hint that the appliance can be placed on the floor, making it easier to locate it.

The type of humidifier determines whether it should be placed on a table or the floor. A buildup of mist droplets can accumulate on the floor if ultrasonic humidifiers are not positioned on a piece of furniture. The water droplets from evaporative humidifiers, on the other hand, can be left on the floor.

Tips To Determine the Placement of a Humidifier

  • Measure your room’s humidity level with a hygrometer, if necessary. The humidifier should not be used if the humidity level is already above 40%.
  • A humidifier can either be placed on a tabletop or on the floor, depending on the height of the humidifier.
  • Place the humidifier on a non-metallic surface only. Also, keep them away from wood furniture, which might be damaged by the moisture. Use a water-resistant cover to keep them safe.
  • The humidifier should not be placed in direct sunlight.
  • The humidifier should be placed in the middle of the room for greatest benefit.

Where to Put a Humidifier in Your Baby’s Room?

With a humidifier in your baby’s room, follow the manufacturer’s instructions as well as some basic guidelines. Additional safety measures should be taken to avoid mishaps.

A humidifier that emits a warm mist, for example, should be kept away from your baby’s crib to prevent over-humidification. If you have young children, you should keep the device and its cords out of reach by placing it on a strong piece of furniture.

In addition, if you’re using the humidifier for your kid, it’s critical that you clean it frequently. Using a soft cloth and a solution of vinegar and water is all that is required. Preventing bacteria growth necessitates frequent filter water replacement. A humidifier in your baby’s room must be filled with distilled or otherwise purified water, even though this is generally recommended for all other humidifiers.

Placement of Humidifiers Depending On Its Types

To begin, consider where to put your humidifier in relation to the sort of humidifier you own.

Evaporative Humidifiers

Evaporative humidifiers rely on air to power their mechanism. Because of this, it is better to place them near a fan. Humidifiers of this type are simply intended to raise the relative humidity in a room to a specific point. As a result, while it maintains a constant humidity level, it gains in efficiency when exposed to fresh air.

Warm-Mist Humidifiers

People who suffer from allergies, flu, and colds should use warm-mist humidifiers. Warm-mist is produced by the appliance using boiling water. The usage of hot water makes it exceedingly dangerous to install it in a location where it is likely to be tipped. So, while you’re trying to get some shut-eye, stay away from the bed. Instead, place it atop a desk or table.

Cool-Mist Humidifiers

Because they create a chilly mist, these humidifiers are the safest. Because of this, you can keep it near your bed while you sleep to get the most out of it.

How Does A Humidifier Work?

Anyone who has never used a humidifier before can greatly benefit from learning how it works.

The essential process is the same in all humidifiers, even though the models are significantly different. The device merely creates a fine mist from the stored water, increasing the humidity in the air when it is released. In the majority of cases, humidifiers require power to run.

A humidifier can be used in a number of ways.

  • A water-resistant base is recommended for the best position.
  • The tank and cap should be removed.
  • It’s best to use water that has been distilled or filtered to avoid the emission of white dust and mist into the air.
  • Reinstall the tank cap and tighten it down.
  • Using the humidifier’s base, put the tank in place.
  • Turn it on and fiddle with the settings until you’re happy with them.

Benefits of Placing a Humidifier in Your Bedroom

Cooling down with an air conditioner can considerably reduce humidity in a room, but winters do a fantastic job of it without the need for a system at all.

Where to Put Humidifier? Living Room or Bedroom?

Because of this, dryness can be found in the lungs, throat, and eyes. Additionally, placing a humidifier in your bedroom might have a significant impact on the quality of your sleep.

Keeps the Skin and Hair Moist

Drying out your hair and skin might cause irritation and flakiness depending on the season. With a humidifier, you can ensure that the air is always moist. A humidifier in your bedroom will prevent dry skin and lacklustre hair.

Reduces Snoring

It’s difficult to breathe comfortably while you’re sleeping when the air is too dry. Snoring will only become worse if you do this. Snoring can be considerably reduced by using a humidifier in your bedroom. Humidifiers work by supplying moisture to the airways.

Prevents Influenza

Humidity levels exceeding 40% have been shown to dramatically minimize the incidence of influenza according to a study. The focus of the research is on the efficacy of increasing air humidity in reducing viral particles.

Helps To Release Trapped Phlegm

Unproductive coughing might be brought on by dry air. Using a humidifier can help you cough more effectively by increasing the amount of moisture in your airways, which helps loosen up phlegm.

Should You Run The Humidifier All Night?

In order to keep your skin and lips from drying out, use a humidifier to keep the air wet throughout the night. When it’s colder and drier outside, this is the preferred option for a lot of individuals. As long as you’re using a humidifier, you can leave it on overnight.

Some persons find that excessive levels of humidity are harmful to their health, rather than beneficial, rather than beneficial. In the beginning, you may want to limit the amount of time the humidifier is running to 2 to 3 hours every night and see how it affects your health and well-being. Finally, the appliance’s usage time is quite variable.

Best Humidifier for Sleeping

There are numerous humidifiers on the market, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. There are several humidifiers on the market, but the Honeywell HCM350W Humidifier is the finest for those who prioritize sleep. Being simple and convenient for first-time users, it’s a great choice for them as well.

Using just three speeds, this humidifier can kill up to 99.9% of germs, viruses, and mold in the air. It can humidify a medium-sized room at the lowest setting. Using this humidifier on a regular basis will help alleviate congestion and allow you to have a better night’s sleep. Using this humidifier for a full 24 hours will not affect its performance in the least.

Furthermore, even when placed close together, it poses no threat to your furnishings. The tank handle on the appliance is large, allowing you to effortlessly transfer it to any location where there is a high amount of moisture. As a whole, it’s the greatest humidifier for a restful night’s sleep in our opinion.

Final thoughts

Everything you need to know about humidifiers is covered in this article, including the advantages, kinds, humidifier location, maintenance, and more.

We’ve talked about where to put humidifiers in beds, the advantages they bring in terms of health, and the need of getting the proper size and type of humidifier to avoid any problems.