Hellobee Boards

Not anymore. My pediatrician scared us into not using one because of the potential for mold and fungus!!

I know, that had me reluctant to use mine again! But my city is SOOO dry and the colder weather makes it even worse. Someone told me that using distilled water is the best, but that means i'd be spending $4/day on humidifier water!

@caffeinated: when we're not being lazy we keep a britta pitcher filled and refill it with that. It makes the humidifer's filter last longer since the water is cleaner... but when we're lazy we just end up switching filters more frequently and washing the parts more regularly.

Yes, DH is in charge of cleaning it!

We haven't used it yet this season but I'm debating getting a new one...worried about what could be growing in it, although I did my best to keep it clean.

We will use a humidifier in LOs room for sure. We were gifted one that has these claims on the box about antibacterial etc. stuff but haven't taken it out to test yet. I think as long as you make sure the moisture flow is going UP and around the room and not just settling down in one damp place you are good.
Also, sometimes if I wake up and the room smells kind of too stuffy or humid, I open the windows and let it air out. You don't want to keep the moisture always trapped in a stale room.

@kml636: The setting is probably too high or strong if your floor is wet at all. I had this problem before with the Penguin Crane humidifier (also with the way the steam/moisture came out). It can be really bad for your carpet too and definitely mold and fungus that way. I've gone through 1/2 dozen humidifiers and the shape and direction of the steam plays an important factor!

@mrs. wagon: We are the same way! Can't live without our humidifiers! DH especially loves the loud noise as a white noise! Same, we use these expensive, but easy disposable filters and order them online.

Same here! Last winter we got rid of ours because we were paranoid but with LO's dry skin, I'm certain we'll need to use one again.

@mrs. wagon: Oh! Maybe that is how the one we have now is. Evaporation? IDK, it has no visible sign of steam or vapor or whatever! It just ...works. DH bought that one and I was just happy the floors never got wet! And thanks on the Brita tip! We'll have to try that!

We were gifted one from our shower and plan on using it this winter. Have yet to have real life experience with one though.

we have the Crane Frog, and so far love it! I haven't cleaned it yet and we've had it over a week but we haven't used it every night. I need to figure out how to clean it...but uh, mastitis and thrush have been keeping me busy..

it aims straight up though from the two eyes, which is nice. I haven't used it in a few days and I've noticed LO's skin has become dry from having the heat on.

we do live in a really old house that's prone to moisture (we have to empty the basement dehumidifier in the basement daily!) so that's a little nerve wracking but..I don't want her to have cracking skin.

Yep

We have the Vicks warm mist and use it every night. I did find black mold growing by LO's window this weekend though. I cleaned it really well with bleach water and we clean the humdifier every night to avoid bacteria growth.

Yes! When we don't turn one on, sometimes DD would wake up with nosebleeds. We are obsessed with keeping ours clean though and often clean it with vinegar.