Cool mist or warm mist humidifier/vaporizer?

tondraluv · January 2014

Possible an airhead question but I'm confused on these. We have a humidifier (cool mist) & have been using it since I has pregnant and having breathing troubles. Right now, both Brayden & are congested and it seems to be worse at night. Which is better? What is the difference between a warm mist humidifier & a vaporizer? Won't the air be warm by the time it reaches our nose making a cool mist humidifier pointless (ok now i'm just reading too much into this lol)?

jss1482 · January 2014

I don't know the difference but have always been told and read to use a cool mist humidifier. I think something has to do with bacteria and the possibility of getting burned. I think they both serve the same purpose though!

ceamac0127 · January 2014

We have a cool mist for the sole reason its the only one I have heard to get. I wish I had a more educational answer

Kate_C · January 2014

Mayo Clinic website says to use cool mist around kids because of the risk that steam will burn. Otherwise it says by the time the steam reaches you for breathing, it's the same temp regardless of how it started.

kgs0505 · January 2014

Kate_C said:

Mayo Clinic website says to use cool mist around kids because of the risk that steam will burn. Otherwise it says by the time the steam reaches you for breathing, it's the same temp regardless of how it started.

Yep, cool mist. Works great in our house

Just get yourself a big old container of white vinegar to clean it out weekly and you'll be all set.

pinottoparenthood · January 2014

I actually read that warm mist is more effective, but cool mist is recommended for kids because they can get burned. So if you're just going to use it at night when the baby is in a crib and the humidifier is out of reach, you can use warm mist. That's what we do. If baby will be crawling and playing near it, though, definitely opt for cool mist.

Shabutie · January 2014

Cool mist just sprays the water into the air, warm mist sterilizes the water and it comes out as steam. It can burn you if you touch it. We have a warm mist and love it. Definitely keep it out of baby's reach, whether it be cool or warm.

ClandestineX · January 2014

I was told that if you walk into a sauna and it clears you out, warm mist. If it stuffs up your nose, cool mist.

Also, if the air is dry, cool mist.

Though when there are kids involved the cool mist is the choice because of the danger of burning. MIL got me a warm mist one for Christmas, I only use it when I am awake and it is in part of the room blocked off to Connor.