Do air purifiers help you sleep better?

Let’s look at the facts.

At least one in every five people has allergies (1).

Allergy flare-ups cause congestion and other respiratory problems.

But the best bedroom air purifiers remove pollen, mold, dander, and other allergens from the air.

When you can breathe easier without a stuffed-up or runny nose, you’ll sleep better, too.

Air Pollution Causes Poor Sleep

Unfortunately, it’s not just dust and allergens that cause you to lose sleep.

Other pollutants like small particulates (PM 2.5) and gases like NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) interfere with your rest (2).

Symptoms are more severe for those with asthma, respiratory illnesses, and cardiovascular disease.

With wildfires happening more often, air pollution is affecting more people these days.

How Air Purifiers Make It Easier to Breathe

Typically, air purifiers use a fan to draw air through a filter to screen out pollutants like allergens.

Most of them use a HEPA filter to mechanically remove 99.97% of particles larger or equal to 0.3 µm (3).

But regular HEPA air purifiers don’t get rid of odors or gases, so they often have an activated carbon filter as well.

They may also have a pre-filter that catches pet hair or dust.

As a result, when you purchase an air purifier, you can be sure of two things.

One is that you’ll need to replace filters on occasion. Depending on usage, it could be every few months or every couple of years.

And two, if you’ve never used one, you’re going to love having an air purifier because you will breathe easier like never before. [Read more…]

You’re here because you’re curious about humidifiers.

You want to know which is the best ultrasonic humidifier on the market.

Perhaps you’re wondering what to look for when you shop for a humidifier.

We’ll answer these questions today and respond to others as well.

Let’s start with the most pressing.

Are Ultrasonic Humidifiers Effective?

Yes, ultrasonic humidifiers work very well.

They are quiet and inexpensive. Plus, you can find them in a wide range of sizes.

They contain a diaphragm that vibrates at an ultrasonic frequency. The vibration breaks water down into a fine mist. (1)

There are two downsides to an ultrasonic humidifier. But these are easy to rectify with a little bit of care.

First, if you fill an ultrasonic humidifier with hard water, it’s likely to leave white dust on nearby furnishings. But if you fill it with distilled water or use a demineralization cartridge, this problem goes away.

Second, cool mist humidifiers (like most ultrasonic models) can spread microbes if they aren’t cleaned regularly. Again, frequent cleaning or the use of a purification cartridge solves this issue.

Which Is Better: A Cool or Warm Mist Humidifier?

Ultrasonic models are usually cool mist humidifiers. But some disperse warm mist.

Cool mist is safest around children. But warm mist boils away pathogens to emit pure vapor.

In either case, although warm mist may feel comforting, by the time the moisture reaches your lungs, the temperature is about the same. [Read more…]