Can You Put Essential Oils In A Humidifier? (Find Out Now!)

Aromatherapy isn’t just a trend; it’s a method of holistic healing that’s been around for centuries. There are numerous benefits to using essential oils diffused through the air, but what’s the safest way to do so?

You can distribute essential oils through your home by using a diffuser that looks and acts much like a humidifier. But putting essential oils in a cool mist or warm humidifier will cause damage to the appliance. It is not recommended to put essential oils in a humidifier.

There are two types of humidifiers: cool mist and warm mist. Cool mist humidifiers use a fan to send small droplets of water into the air. Alternatively, warm mist humidifiers bring water to its boiling point in order to vaporize the droplets.

Humidifiers are equipped with a water tank designed to run with simple tap water. Some people choose to use distilled water if their tap water has an exceptionally high mineral content. That kind of hard water can cause buildup inside the appliance.

If you put anything other than water in the tank, you run the risk of damaging the humidifier. Oils can clog the mechanisms that distribute the droplets and cause the machine to malfunction.

Diffusers, on the other hand, are designed to run with water and oil inside of them. Their mechanisms work differently and will not be compromised by oil in their tank. They vaporize both oils and water into tiny particles that you can inhale for therapeutic benefit.

During cold and flu season, humidifiers can be helpful to open up airways to relieve congestion. They’re especially effective when paired with essential oil or inhalable medicine, like many products made by Vicks. (Think the menthol-based Vicks Vapo-Rub of your youth, but in the air.)

An optimal level of humidity lets you sleep better, which itself can boost your immune system. Humidifiers also help to relieve snoring due to congestion.

Newborn babies are also prime candidates to benefit from humidifiers. It keeps their skin soft and their airways clear as they breathe through their tiny noses. This leads to a better night’s sleep for babies and their caregivers.

Singers and athletes use humidifiers to keep their voices and bodies in top performance shape. Musicians’ instruments can also be very sensitive to changes in humidity, so a humidifier can help regulate environmental conditions.

Each blend of essential oils provides a different set of therapeutic benefits. For example, they can help you relax, fortify your immune system, perk up, get grounded, or even clean the air.

Maybe you want lavender’s calming scent, invigorating citrus, grounding and clarifying sage, earthy patchouli, or uplifting peppermint. Both eucalyptus and tea tree oil have anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties, making them good choices for cold and flu season. While lavender is calming and peppermint is stimulating, they can both be soothing for headaches.

Maybe you’re interested in essential oils for their therapeutic benefits or just like the way they smell. Either way, this form of aromatherapy can replace candles, room sprays, or synthetic air fresheners.

Just like you can find corroboration for any theory on the internet, conventional wisdom about essential oils varies greatly. Depending on the source, some people will tell you that they are 100% safe, while others will name numerous risks. The truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Heating essential oils compromises their therapeutic properties, so experts recommend using them with a cool-mist system only. And be careful not to use too much– a few drops should be potent enough for the whole tank of water. A proper amount is therapeutic, but too much can be toxic to the body.

It’s also not advisable to run a diffuser or humidifier with oils continuously: too much can overload the body. That’s why diffusers are designed to run intermittently, unlike humidifiers.

Some oils, like citrus, degrade plastic over time, so they aren’t ideal for use in humidifiers. If you do choose to use oils in a humidifier, clean it frequently. This helps prevent mold, the buildup of oil residue, and mitigates long-term damage to the plastic.

Humidifiers are not particularly high maintenance if appropriately used. Most manufacturers recommend rinsing the tank daily and changing the water frequently to prevent buildup.

If necessary, you can clean it with white vinegar. This popular cleaning solvent is non-toxic and natural, so it’s not dangerous to inhale if some remains in your tank. Vinegar is also very effective at combating mold growth.

You will need to do a considerably larger amount of maintenance if you decide to use essential oils in your appliance. It will require more frequent and thorough cleaning. Additionally, you will likely need to replace it altogether more often. The clogs and residue that oils leave behind will shorten the lifespan of your humidifier.

While many people try to use a humidifier as a diffuser, only one is properly equipped to disperse essential oils throughout your home. If you’re just looking for relief from dryness, a humidifier will be the right appliance for you.

But if you’re looking to add aromatherapy to your home, consider getting a diffuser instead of a humidifier. They are specifically made for use with oils and will last much longer than an improperly used humidifier. A diffuser will also provide more benefits of essential oils when they correctly distribute the oils.

Related Questions

Is there any kind of DIY fix that allows you to diffuse essential oils without putting them in a humidifier’s water tank?

Yes, you can create a DIY diffuser in a pinch. Soak a cotton ball with the essential oil of your choice, then place it over the opening where the mist stream begins. That way, the oil’s scent will spread through the air without contaminating the water supply.

Can I use essential oils in my CPAP machine?

No, it’s not safe to put essential oils anywhere inside your CPAP machine. This machine is designed to propel air into your respiratory tract, and propelling droplets of oil in this manner can cause lung irritation.Instead, place a tray or diffuser of essential oils on a surface near the air intake of your CPAP machine. That way, the scent will be brought into your lungs indirectly with a much lower risk of irritation.