While it can be easy to think you have covid every time you are faced with a mild cold and a scratchy throat, there are many other viruses you could be sick with.
The flu and common cold, for one, are very popular viruses during the fall and winter when the seasons are changing and your body is regulating.
Assuming your symptoms are mild, you really just need to tough it out. That being said, there are some things you can do to help make yourself more comfortable while you recover. Tylenol, tissues, sleep and a good humidifier are all a good start.
While it’s not a life-changing fix, a humidifier is a great device to soothe sore throats, soothe chapped lips, reduce sinus dryness and more from the flu, the common cold, COVID-19 infections and beyond.
What do humidifiers do?
According to the Mayo Clinic, humidifiers are devices that release water vapor or steam to add moisture to the air (humidity) to prevent dryness in many parts of the body. They can be particularly effective for the skin, nose, lips and throat.
How do I clean a humidifier?
It’s important you don’t let mold grow in the tank of your new humidifier. Consumer Reports recommends rinsing, towel-drying and refilling your humidifier’s tank with fresh water every day. Once a week, the tank and base will also need a deeper clean. Replace filters and wicks, according to the brand’s recommendations.
There are a few different ways to clean a humidifier, but CR advises using water and distilled white vinegar. Here are a few specific steps to get the job done.
- Remove the tank from the base and add either 1 cup of vinegar or ½ cup each of vinegar and water to the well of the base.
- Reach into the crevices and scrub in the well using a toothbrush, cotton swabs, or another gentle cleaning tool. Rinse until no vinegar smell remains and then towel dry.
- Pour 1 cup each of vinegar and water into the tank. Cap the tank and let it soak for 20 minutes, swishing or shaking periodically. Pour out solution and rinse until no smell remains, then towel dry.
LEVOIT Humidifier
Levoit’s 4L humidifier has a range of up to 376 square feet and provides fast, comfortable relief from the effects of dry air. It offers up to 40 hours of mist and automatically shuts off before it runs dry.
Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
The Everlasting Comfort humidifier has a six-liter (1.6-gallon) tank that works in rooms up to 500 square feet and lasts for up to 50 hours. You can also utilize the featured essential oil tray that circulates fragrant oils into the cool mist, giving you a pure and fresh smelling aroma throughout your home.
Pure Enrichment® MistAire™ Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
This Pure Enrichment humidifier gives off ultrasonic cool mist technology to safely and quickly moisturize dry air for up to 25 hours of continuous operation. It features high and low-speed settings combined with a 360° mist nozzle to help you consistently balance and regulate the humidity in your home.
Raydrop Cool Mist Humidifier Diffuser
For those looking for a baby-friendly or small option, consider this Raydrop. Not only is this a humidifier but it doubles as a diffuser as well, so you can fill your home with essential oils too.
Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH03
If money is no object, you can’t go wrong with the Dyson purifying humidifier. Not only does it add moisture to the air but it captures and traps pollutants to make sure you’re breathing the cleanest air possible.
Vicks 3-in-1 SleepyTime Humidifier
Help your little one get a good night sleep with this humidifier. If they’re having trouble breathing at night, this 3-in-1 humidifier has a runtime for up to 24 hours to allows moisture to fill the room. This humidifier works best for small rooms.
Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier
Trap all particles in the air with this humidifier. If you’re dealing with an itchy throat or dry skin, this humidifier has UV technology to and wicking filter to help capture all minerals.
Magitec Cool Mist Humidifier
You can target every angle of the room that needs fresh air with its 360 degree nozzle spray. This humidifier also has a mind of its own and can turn itself off when there’s low storage of water.
BREEZOME 6L Humidifier
The name of this humidifier speaks for itself. This is an all-in-one humidifier and diffuser lasting up to 60 hours. You can also add your essential oils with its built-in aromatherapy tray to add an aroma for the room.
GuruNanda Halo XL Humidifier & Diffuser
Create a wellness oasis with the two-in-one humidifier and diffuser. You can add essential oils to the diffuser to bring in an aroma and eliminate dry air.
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