The Best Type of Humidifier to Add Bacteria-Free Moisture to the Air
Humidifiers are great for adding moisture to the air in dry climates, but if they’re not clean, they can spew harmful bacteria into the air. Some humectants mark themselves as “bacteria-free,” but only a few types of humectants remain relatively clean.
The Consumer Reports YouTube channel investigated three main types of humidifiers: vaporizers (emitting steam), ultrasonic humidifiers (emitting a fine mist into the air), and evaporative humidifiers (which blow air through a wet wick filter). most likely promoted microbial growth. After testing 34 different devices over three days, they found that all antimicrobial humidifiers were no better at preventing bacteria from growing or spreading. However, none of the vapor wick models produced bacteria. So, if you want to protect the air from bacteria, choose the evaporative wick model. In addition, no matter what type of humidifier you use, empty, rinse and dry the water tank at least once a day to avoid bacterial build-up.
Humidifiers for bacterial growth | Youtube