Can You Add Essential Oils to Your Humidifier? Here's What You Need to Know
Essential oils are loved for their soothing aromas and potential wellness benefits. The most popular way to use essential oils is using it in a diffuser for aromatherapy. With the increased popularity of humidifiers for their health benefits, people have started using essential oils in them. But can we really use essential oils in humidifiers? Now that is the topic we are going to explore in today’s blog. Before you start diffusing your favorite essential oil blend through a humidifier, here’s what you need to know.
Can You Put Essential Oils in Your Humidifier?
The answer to the question “whether you can use essential oils in your humidifier or not” depends on the type of humidifier you are using. If you are using a traditional humidifier that is designed to disperse water vapour into the air, then maybe you should rethink your decision of adding essential oils blends to that humidifier. Traditional humidifiers are not built to be used with essential oils. If you add essential oils to the water tank of a traditional humidifier then it can lead to damage, clogging or mold buildup.
We understand you might be wondering, "I’ve seen my favorite influencer using essential oils in their humidifiers—why can't I do the same?" There are specific humidifiers that are compatible with essential oils, designed to be used not just as a humidifier but also as a diffuser.
Why you Shouldn’t use Essential Oils in a Traditional Humidifier
If your humidifier is not built to be compatible with essential oils, adding essential oils in them might cause:
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Damage to the Unit: As essential oils are very potent in nature, adding them to your diffuser’s water tank can degrade the plastic components and clog filters, shortening the lifespan of your device.
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Mold and Residue Buildup: Oils in a diffuser can leave behind a sticky residue, creating an ideal environment for bacteria and mold growth. If left uncleaned, this buildup can gradually spread and affect the air quality, potentially leading to respiratory issues or allergies.
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Uneven Diffusion: Traditional humidifiers are not optimized to dispense the essential oils effectively, like diffusers, which can lead to inconsistent distribution of the scent in the air.
How to Safely Use Essential Oils in a Humidifier
If you love to fill your room with aroma of essential oils, then you can invest in better alternatives of a traditional humidifier or follow the below given pointers to safely use essential oils in humidifier:
1. Use an Essential Oil Diffuser: Diffusers are built to disperse essential oils without harming the device whereas humidifiers are built to add moisture to the air and increase humidity levels. You can use two separate devices: a diffuser for aromatherapy and a humidifier for adding moisture, each serving a distinct purpose.
2. Choose a Humidifier that is Essential Oil safe: If you don’t wish to invest in two separate products to serve the purpose of diffuser and humidifier, You can choose a humidifier that is essential oil safe and can serve the purpose of both.
3. Try Essential Oil Pads: Look for a humidifier with aroma trays and pads designed to hold essential oils without damaging the water tank.
4. Apply Essential Oils Nearby: Add a few drops of essential oil to a cotton ball or cloth and place it near your humidifier’s vent to allow gentle diffusion for aromatherapy benefits.
5. Dilution Matters: Even in compatible humidifiers, it’s best to use only a few drops of essential oil. Too much oil can lead to residue buildup that can reduce the efficiency of your humidifier.
6. Check the Manufacturer’s Instructions: Many ultrasonic humidifiers are not built for essential oils. Using oils in them can cause buildup, clog the device, or even damage internal parts. Some models, however, have a dedicated essential oil tray. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for better understanding of your device.
Best Essential Oils for a Refreshing Atmosphere
If you’re using an essential oil compatible humidifier, you can try these top 5 essential oils for humidifier that work well for creating a soothing and inviting ambiance:
1. Lavender Essential Oil: If you prefer to use your humidifier at night before sleeping, then the calming floral scent of lavender essential oil will compliment your routine and humidifier both.
2. Lemon Essential Oil: If you are looking for a perfect work time fragrance that will fill your room with fresh uplifting scent then you should opt for lemon essential oil for your humidifier.
3. Peppermint Essential Oil: If you are a fan of minty fresh fragrances, then peppermint oil is going to be the best essential oil for your humidifier.
4. Eucalyptus Essential Oil: If you are dealing with symptoms of cold and flu like nose congestion, then eucalyptus essential oil paired with your humidifier is going to be helpful in reducing the symptoms when accompanied by proper medications.
5. Frankincense Essential Oil: If you love starting your day with a calming meditation and prayer, then adding frankincense essential oil to your humidifier will not only provide health benefits but also help ground your senses.
Final Thoughts
We understand that it can be so tempting to add essential oils to your humidifier, thinking it will perform in a similar manner to a diffuser. But it’s crucial to check whether your device is designed for it to ensure that your precious humidifier doesn’t get damaged in the process. By following the right methods and using the right equipment you can create a fragrant and refreshing atmosphere in your home without risking damage to your equipments.
Would you like to explore essential oil blends for different moods? Browse our collection of high-quality, cruelty-free essential oils at SVA Organics and enhance your space naturally!