Let’s face it: Humidifiers can be a breeding ground for mold, they are huge hunks of plastic and they can do more harm than good if they are not monitored properly. But when you’ve got one of the best humidifiers, they can be beneficial to both overall health and skin health. This is the one I recommend.

The worst thing about humidifiers is that they get moldy. Can I get a witness? I mean, sometimes I feel like I can’t even own a humidifier because I just sit in bed and picture the potential mold and it makes me gag. 

But there are definitely some things we can do to calm that humidifier gag reflex. 

1. Use filtered water in your humidifier to make sure you are humidifying the room with water that is originally free from bacterias, viruses, and all the other things you can filter out of your water. 
2. Now, because you are using filtered water, you are also taking out the added chlorine which acts as a preservative to keep bacteria from flourishing. 
3. So make sure you empty your humidifier daily and let it air dry completely. 
4. Be sure to keep up with changing the humidifier filter and/or wick.
5. Check to see if your furnace has a built-in humidifier (some do!) and then be sure to buy and change the filter on that. 

We recommend: Honeywell HCM350W Germ-Free Cool Mist Humidifier

After searching *all* the options, we landed on the Honeywell HCM350W Germ-Free Cool Mist Humidifier, which also happens to be the highest-rated option on Amazon and The Times’ Wirecutter #1 pick.

What are the pros of using a humidifier?

The skin and breathing benefits of using a humidifier, especially in drier seasons or climates, can be:

• more hydrated/plumper skin
• easier breathing
• less dry nose/sinusitis
• less static in your hair
• a warmer-feeling temp in your home

It can also counter-balance that effect you get when you’re in a car for too long and the dry heat is blasting in your face—no more itchy, tight skin, tight scalp, chapped lips or dry cough.  

Honeywell Germ Free Mist Humidifier Pros:

1. It’s “cool-moisture” as opposed to warm-mist humidifiers, which come with “burn risk” warning. 
2. We also really liked it because the water tray is dishwasher safe so you can give it that deep clean as often as you like. (I mean, this feature right here is worth it 10 times over.)
3. With a 1 gallon water tank, you don’t have to constantly refill. 
4. If you don’t have a way to filter your water, this unit boasts built-in UV technology that kills 99.9% of bacteria in the water. 
5. Humidifies the air quickly. 
6. It’s quiet. (Also it doesn’t beep or blink at night!)

Honeywell Germ Free Mist Humidifier Cons (Considerations): 

1. It’s still made of plastic.  
2. Requires a wick filter replacement every few months. 

Maintaining a healthy humidity level

Sometimes, humidity or dampness (water vapor) in the air can supply enough moisture for mold growth. So to make sure you are not over humidifying your space, be sure to grab a hygrometer that measures your air’s humidity. The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity levels between 30-50 percent.

The nice thing about the wicking filter in the Honeywell model is that it can’t really over-humidify your air. It uses an evaporative technology that can’t add more moisture to the air than it can hold—keeping your house/room at a safe humidity level.

Do you have a favorite humidifier?