How to use a humidifier with essential oils

We hear this question over and over. Can you use essential oils with your humidifier? This is a very important question considering a lot of people buy their humidifier assuming they can. I mean, why buy two devices when one will do the job? In this post we will answer all these questions and leave you with a better idea of what you can and can't do with your humidifier.

What is Essential Oil?

Essential oil is a type of oil produced from plants. When pairing it with a diffuser, you can create a wonderful and natural aroma. The sent will mimic the smell of the plant used to create the oil. Some popular essential oil scents include lavender, peppermint, and rosemary.

Why Combine Essential Oils with a Humidifier?

If you already own a humidifier, then you are probably aware of all the benefits they have to offer. If you do not, you can check out our line of PureMist™ Ultrasonic Humidifiers. By combining essential oils with your humidifier, you can get all the benefits of each without needing to buy two separate devices. Hydrate your space while injecting it with an irresistible (and all-natural) fragrance.

Can you use Essential Oils with your Humidifier?

Here at H2O, we tested some of the top brands of essential oils and found no issues when doing so. However, we highly suggest you only use brands we have confirmed to work. 

Our Recommendations

Disclamer

It is important to know that using essential oils with hour humidifier will make your cotton filters not last as long. In case you run out, you can shop our selection of replacements. To avoid clogging, we recommend you:

On the outside, humidifiers may look similar to essential oil water diffusers, thus inviting the question: can I use essential oils in my humidifier? However, when it comes to diffusing EOs in your humidifier, there’s more to it than meets the eye.

In this guide, we discuss all things humidifiers, essential oil diffusers, whether the two are interchangeable and more.

What Is A Humidifier?

The warmer the weather, the more humidity the air can hold. So when the weather dips to chilly temps, the air holds much less moisture. 

A lack of moisture in the air can create a plethora of problems which is why it’s beneficial to have a humidifier that can increase your home's humidity level and the quality of your indoor air.  

Humidifiers can help prevent issues caused by dry air, such as:

• Bloody noses

• Eye and throat irritation

• Dry skin and sinuses

• Trouble breathing

• Discomfort 

• Cracked plaster and drywall

• Creaky home 

• Feeling colder than it is

There are different types of humidifiers which each have slightly different mechanisms. 

Evaporative Humidifier

Also known as a cool-mist humidifier, most humidifiers are evaporative. These types of humidifiers have water basins that are filled with cold water. A filter absorbs the water from the basin, then air blows through the filter, thus blowing out fine water droplets into your air.      

Steam Humidifier

Steam diffusers, also known as a warm mist humidifier, work by heating water to a boil, creating a warm mist. Note that they can be hazardous around pets and children because they use high heat and they also are often the least energy-efficient.

Ultrasonic Humidifier

Like our ultrasonic diffusers, ultrasonic humidifiers contain a small plate at the base of the humidifier that vibrates rapidly (also known as ultrasonic vibration), creating a quiet, fine mist. In an ultrasonic humidifier, the water should be changed often so as to prevent bacterial growth.

Impeller Humidifier

An impeller humidifier uses a propelling disc that shoots water through a comb-like structure creating a cool mist. Like the ultrasonic diffuser, the water should be changed often so as to prevent bacterial growth. Distilled water is also recommended.

What Is An Essential Oil Diffuser?

An essential oil diffuser is manufactured to effectively disperse the therapeutic benefits and aromas of essential oils into the air so that you can inhale, enjoy and obtain their benefits. 

Convenient and cost-saving, our diffusers combine highly innovative technology with pure aromatic integrity. Simply add a few drops of pure essential oil, such as Lavender essential oil, or an oil blend to a diffuser and soak in the natural fragrance circulating in the air. The continuous mist of the oil diffuser will have your favorite essential oil scent wafting throughout your home all throughout the day. 

An oil diffuser is a simple way to add aromatherapy to your everyday life. Our collection of sleek unique designs make it easy to add an essential oil diffuser to any room. Match the color or style of your aromatherapy diffuser to any space with our variety of styles or even take it on the go with our essential oil diffusers specifically made for the car. 

Along with style, there are two types of diffusers to consider: passive diffusers and active diffusers. 

Passive Diffusers

A passive aroma diffuser naturally emits essential oil without any help from a stimulus. These diffusers generally offer a less intense aroma output.

Passive diffusers can be used day and night, so long as the aroma is not too intense. These diffusers can be placed throughout your home or space and used continuously. Passive diffusers are recommended for those with aroma-sensitivities or if you prefer continuous diffusion at a lower intensity.

We offer a variety of passive diffusers, including:

• Ceramic Bloom Diffusers

• Jewelry Diffusers

• Reed Diffuser

Because passive diffusers are less intense than active diffusers, they are preferred for sensitive individuals such as young children, the elderly, those with health concerns and pets. 

Active Diffusers

Active diffusers use a stimulus such as electricity, ultrasonic vibrations, airflow, etc. to emit essential oils. These diffusers offer an intense aroma output.

Our selection of active diffusers include: 

• Aromaride Car Oil Diffuser

• Terrazzo Diffuser

• Diamond Diffuser

• Personal Pocket Inhaler

Each active diffuser has its own individual safety tips. For example, ultrasonics such as the Terrazzo and Diamond should be used for 30-60 minutes before turning them off for 30-60 minutes.

With the Aromaride Car Oil Diffuser, ventilation (i.e. cracking open a window) is recommended if the aroma is too intense with or without air blowing through your car’s vents.

And lastly, though it doesn’t require a stimulus to diffuse, the Personal Pocket Inhaler delivers the same amount of aroma intensity as an ultrasonic diffuser in a few, short bursts, and, therefore we recommend the same safety guidelines be followed as active diffusers. 

Can You Use A Humidifier As A Diffuser?

It may seem elementary, but most humidifiers were not created to hold essential oils. In fact, depending on the model, adding essential oils to your device can quickly ruin the air humidifier. 

Due to essential oils’ caustic nature, they can eat and corrode materials including certain plastics. This is an issue for humidifiers made of plastic and other easily dissolvable substances. What’s more is that essential oils (particularly resinous essential oils like Myrrh and Vanilla Oleoresin) can gunk up gears and mechanics, further damaging your humidifier. 

Furthermore, humidifiers are made to cover a certain square footage. What this means is that if you add a few drops of essential oil to a humidifier that is meant to cover 1200 sq ft but you place the humidifier in a 500 sq ft room, you could end up over-diffusing which may lead to complications. In addition, the quality of essential oils can be altered depending on the temperature of the humidifier.

Is it OK to put essential oils in a humidifier?

How much essential oil do you put in a humidifier?

Can you put essential oils in a cool mist humidifier?

What essential oil is best for a humidifier?