The Best Place to Put a Humidifier
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Humidifiers are needed in a lot of homes to improve air quality, but what is the best place to put a humidifier? Learn about the best locations (and why) in this article.
Humidifiers can be a great addition to the home. If you live in a climate with particularly low humidity levels, or if you regularly use air conditioning to counteract the hot weather, you’re likely to experience low humidity levels.
Low relative humidity can cause numerous health issues and general feelings of discomfort. You might experience dry skin, a sore throat, congestion, and dehydration. All of this can be avoided if an effective humidifier is used within the home.
Humidifiers work by slowly emitting water vapor into the air, which balances the relative humidity levels, and leaves you with a much more comfortable living space.
Choosing the right humidifier for you is, of course, a vital step in regulating the humidity levels within your home, and there are so many great options available on the market. You can find specialist humidifiers that are designed to suit almost any space, from small rooms to large open-plan areas.
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Top Choice  | Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
| 9.8 | Check Price on Amazon |
Best Value  | AquaOasis™ Cool Mist Humidifier
| 9.5 | Check Price on Amazon |
WiFi  | LEVOIT Wi-Fi Cool Mist Humidifier
| 9.6 | Check Price on Amazon |
But, did you also know that where you choose to place your humidifier could also be detrimental to its efficiency and effectiveness?
Finding the best spot for your humidifier can greatly improve its capacity and hugely impact the results you will see in your home and in your own overall wellbeing.
In this article, we are going to talk you through all of the important tips, tricks, and rules that you should be aware of when introducing a humidifier into your home.
Related: Can a Diffuser Be Used as a Humidifier?
The Best Place to Put a Humidifier: General Placement Rules
Let’s start by thinking about some of the general points or rules you should consider when finding the right place for your humidifier.
These are basic rules of thumb that will enable your humidifier to work at its highest capacity. With the right approach, you can avoid common issues people encounter when using a humidifier within their home.
Related: Humidifier Benefits and Side Effects to Be Aware Of
Height
The ideal height will depend on the model of the humidifier you have chosen. Some humidifiers are designed specifically to be placed on the floor, while others might need to be placed higher up.
If your humidifier has wheels, it’s probably supposed to be kept at ground level. It’s also a general rule that if the humidifier is more than two feet tall or especially heavy, it is more than likely designed for use at floor level.
However, some humidifiers will work better if they are kept up high. Ultrasonic humidifiers, for example, work well if they are kept higher off the floor. This stops an accumulation of water droplets from forming on the ground near the humidifier.
Pure Enrichment® MistAire™ Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
Similarly, if you’re using a steam humidifier, these can pose a hazard when kept at ground level. They store boiling water and emit warm or hot mist, so if you have children or pets running around, it’s probably best to store these safely out of reach.
Other Objects
The purpose of a humidifier is to add moisture to the air. They do this by emitting water vapor or steam into the surrounding area within your home. Because of this, if they’re used in excess or placed too close to other objects, they can cause condensation to form on windows, walls, flooring, and any other objects in the vicinity.
This can be dangerous as it can cause shorting of electrical circuits, increasing the risk of electrocution.
It is vital that your humidifier is kept away from any electrical equipment or power sockets. You should also try not to place your humidifier too close to soft furnishings such as sofas, curtains, or beds. The excess moisture is likely to cling to these fabrics which can lead to issues associated with dampness and mold.
Try to place your humidifier in a space that is relatively empty to avoid damaging any other object within your home and to allow your humidifier to work at its full capacity.
Airflow
A humidifier needs a good amount of airflow to work efficiently and reduce the risk of excess moisture building up in the space. If the airflow is limited, you’re likely to see an increase in condensation and a subsequent growth of mildew.
Some humidifiers will shut off on their own, once the optimal humidity level has been reached, so this might not be too much of an issue for you depending on the type of humidifier you have.
Related: What’s the Difference Between an Air Purifier and a Humidifier?
Room Size
Finally, room size is an important factor to consider when finding the best place to put a humidifier.
If you’re working with a particularly large space, try to place the humidifier somewhere central to allow moisture to be distributed more evenly. If you’re working with a smaller space, anywhere that is not too close to any other objects should be fine.
It’s also important that you use a humidifier that is suitable for use in the room size you are working with. Larger, higher capacity humidifiers work well in bigger spaces, while smaller, more compact versions will work great in smaller rooms.
AquaOasis™ Cool Mist Humidifier
What Room Should Your Humidifier Go in?
Figuring out which room to place your humidifier in is pretty straightforward. The humidifier should go in the room that needs to be humidified.
For some people, the best place to put a humidifier might be the room that’s used most frequently – the living room or kitchen, for example. If this is where you spend the most time, then this is likely to be the room where you place your humidifier.
However, if you find that you’re waking up in the night or in the morning with a sore throat, congestion, and dry skin, you might want to place your humidifier in the bedroom and have it run through the night to prevent this.
Vicks Filter-Free Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
If you have one room that tends to use more air conditioning, such as the bathroom, this might be the room you use the humidifier in.
A lot of people use humidifiers in nurseries or children’s rooms since infants tend to need more humidity and are more prone to whooping cough and congestion.
A humidifier can be used in almost any room, as long as it is used appropriately and is not too large or too small for the space. A self-regulating humidifier is a great option since the machine will regulate the relative humidity levels within any room and shut off and turn back on as is needed. Also, portable humidifiers with wheels are particularly convenient since you can easily maneuver the humidifier throughout your home as you need it.
If you’re not sure which room in your house is most in need of a humidifier, you could always invest in a Hygrometer. These small devices can be found online and are pretty affordable. The Hygrometer will read the humidity level within the room and tell you when it is too high or too low.
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Top Choice  | ThermoPro TP50 Digital Hygrometer Indoor Thermometer
| 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
Best Value  | ThermoPro TP49 Digital Hygrometer Indoor Thermometer Humidity Meter
| 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
Two-Pack  | Indoor Humidity Thermometer Hygrometer
| 9.5 | Check Price on Amazon |
Now, let’s break things down and think about the optimal placement for your humidifier within each room of the house.
In The Living Room or Family Room
The living room or family room tends to be the area of the home where people congregate most often.
Finding the right spot for your humidifier in your living area is all about finding the balance between having it close enough to the area people are most likely to congregate, and also keeping it out of the way of any other objects or walkways to avoid obstructions or trip hazards.
Aim to place your humidifier high up if possible. Placing the machine on a shelf or table keeps it out of the way but still allows it to target the space that you need.
Don’t put your humidifier too close to any open windows, but allow plenty of ventilation nearby.
If you have hardwood floors in your living space it might also be a good idea to place a towel or mat underneath the humidifier to avoid damage to the floors if the machine were to leak or if any moisture accumulates at the bottom of the machine as a result of poor ventilation or overuse.
In The Bedroom
If you’re going to put your humidifier in your bedroom, start by making sure you have adequate ventilation and airflow in the room. If your humidifier is not self-regulating, it could be running all night which might cause excess moisture and the growth of mold or mildew, which can be detrimental to your health.
Place the humidifier a good distance away from the bed. You should aim for a minimum of three feet, but the further the better. It’s not a good idea to directly inhale the moisture emitted by the humidifier. Having it too close to your bed is also likely to inhibit the machine’s effectiveness and might cause damp bedsheets.
If a small, ultrasonic humidifier is being used, you might be able to use this on your nightstand. Just make sure the mist is not pointing directly at you during the night, and make sure the machine’s water tank and filters are cleaned out thoroughly and regularly.
In The Kids Room
If you’re placing your humidifier in a children’s room or a nursery, it is really important that you put it in a safe place that is ideally out of reach. This is especially important if you are using a steam humidifier since they use boiling water and emit warm mist, so there is a real risk of scalding, should the machine fall or be knocked over. For this reason, we don’t recommend that steam humidifiers are used in spaces where children frequently play or congregate.
Regardless of the type of humidifier you use, keeping it on a shelf or window ledge where children aren’t able to reach it is always the best option. This avoids any spills and also means the child is less likely to get too close to the machine and directly inhale the water vapor.
If used safely, humidifiers can be incredibly beneficial for children, particularly babies.
Pure Enrichment® MistAire™ Cloud – Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
In The Bathroom
Bathrooms tend to be the rooms in the house with the highest humidity levels due to the steam that is produced when showering, bathing, or using any hot water. However, some people do choose to use a humidifier in their bathrooms if suffering from a cold or congestion or if the bathroom is particularly large and has low humidity.
Because bathrooms tend to get pretty warm, it is really important that you allow plenty of ventilation when using a humidifier. If too much moisture is produced or the room remains too hot while using the machine, you will quickly see the growth of mold and mildew.
Avoid using the humidifier right after showering or taking a bath, as the humidity levels are already likely to be pretty high at this point.
Related: How to Remove Mold from Clothes Using Baking Soda
Key Things to Remember
Let’s quickly round up some of the key points to consider when finding the best place to put a humidifier within your home…
1. NEVER place your humidifier near electrical equipment or outlets. This can be extremely dangerous and lead to power shortages and electrocution.
2. Try to keep the machine away from direct sunlight. If the water tank is directly exposed to sunlight for long periods of time, this creates a breeding ground for bacteria and algae which will then be emitted back out into the air in your home and can cause numerous health problems. Avoid placing your humidifier next to a window for this reason.
3. Make sure to clean your humidifier regularly. If bacteria is left to grow in the filters or water tank, this can be detrimental to your health. Most humidifiers are pretty easy to clean, with removable water tanks and filters, so be sure to stay on top of this!
4. Be aware of the surface you place your humidifier on. Hardwood floors or carpets can be damaged if the humidifier leaks. Consider keeping a mat or towel underneath your humidifier to avoid this.
Related: The Best Whole House Air Purifier for Cleaner Air
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Top Choice | Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
| 9.8 | Check Price on Amazon |
Best Value | AquaOasis™ Cool Mist Humidifier
| 9.5 | Check Price on Amazon |
WiFi | LEVOIT Wi-Fi Cool Mist Humidifier
| 9.6 | Check Price on Amazon |
Final Thoughts on The Best Place to Put a Humidifier
Finding the optimal placement for your humidifier can be a complicated process. But, by following the tips and advice laid out in this article, you should be able to find the best place to put a humidifier that allows it to work safely, efficiently, and effectively.