Humidifier FAQ’s – Humidifier Care Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Should my humidifier run 24 hours a day?
A: Yes, generally humidifiers operate day and night.

Q: Which Type of humidifier is safer – cool mist or warm mist?
A: Learn why some find a cool mist humidifier the safest.

Q: Can I add a bit of salt to my humidifier to produce an ocean mist?
A: Never add salt to any type of humidifier. If can destroy any metal components reducing your humidifier’s lifespan, clog your filter and hinder proper operation.

Q: My cool mist humidifier does not produce a mist; is something wrong?
A: You may have a type of humidifier that produces an invisible mist. If the unit is operating and the water level is dropping as it should, the unit is taking in air and returning an invisible mist back into the room. Your operating manual should also be able to confirm this type of operation.

Q: How do I know whether to get a cool or warm mist humidifier?
A: What’s the Difference Between a Cool and Warm Mist Humidifier?

Q: What would be a good size humidifier for a bedroom?
A: For an average size bedroom, a 700 – 900 sq ft capacity would be sufficient.

Q: How long will a 2 or 3 gallon humidifier run before refilling?
A: Usually 12 – 16 hours depending whether you run on low or high operation. A good rule of thumb is just fill it every night or morning to ensure continuous operation.

Read more:http://housewares.about.com/od/humidifiersdehumidifiers/qt/HumidifierFAQ.htm

The Best to Places to Put a Humidifier

If your home’s air tends to become dry during the summer or winter months, a humidifier is an affordable solution to restore moisture to the air. The placement of the humidifier depends on the use of the rooms in your home, as the bedroom and living room are common living spaces that benefit the most from moisture replenishment.

SainSonic AT28D 2.6L Ultrasonic Air Humidifier Purifier Aroma Diffuser

 

Bedroom

• A lack of moisture in the air while you sleep increases the likelihood of nasal congestion, which causes coughing and interrupted sleep. The bedroom should be humid to improve your ability to breathe steadily while sleeping for a good night’s rest.

Living Room

• The living room is often one of the most frequently used rooms of the home besides the bedroom, and it benefits from a warm- or cool-mist humidifier maintains your furniture and hardwood floors by providing moisture. According to Real Simple, the humidifier provides moisture to reduce wood cracking.

Child’s Room

• Just as you benefit from a humidifier, a cool-mist humidifier moisturizes your child’s skin and decreases congestion caused by sinus problems. Cool-mist humidifiers are suggested over warm-mist, as the risk of injury is high if a child accidentally tips over the warm-mist humidifier.

Flat surfaces

• Set the humidifier on a flat surface to avoid water leakage. The surface should be hard and not upholstered, as upholstered surfaces absorb moisture, allowing bacteria to grow in the fabric. Keep warm-mist humidifier at least two to three feet away from you to avoid accidental burns. For do-it-yourself humidifiers, place a pot full of tap water on top of a steam radiator to add moisture to the air.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/info_7948150_places-put-humidifier.html#ixzz2hN320lWZ

Before buying a humidifier, you need to know this.

When winter comes around, the lack of natural humidity causes the air to dry out. The lack of moisture in the air is evident in the form of static electricity, dry skin, more dust and an increase in illnesses.

If the lack of humidity in your house is making your skin, throat or nasal passages dry, it’ s time to look in to buying the best humidifier. But which type of humidifier is the best? We break it down below.

The Five Types of Humidifiers:

Ultrasonic Humidifiers:
They produce a warm or cool mist by using a metal diaphragm vibrating at high-frequency. The sound vibrations propel moisture into the air. The water molecules that are produced are extremely small, about one micron in diameter. The mist is almost immediately absorbed into the air. Because this type of humidifier does not use a fan, it is very quiet when operating. Ultrasonic humidifiers typically do not use a filter.

Unlike the humidifiers that boil water, the water droplets that are produced by an ultrasonic humidifier contain any impurities that are in the water tank which include minerals contained in hard water. If you use tap water in an ultrasonic humidifier it will produce a white dust on which can settle on nearby objects and furniture. If you use distilled water white dust is not produced. If you choose to use tap water you can use  our FLTDC Humidifier Decalcification Filter to prevent white dust from being created.

Additionally if you tank is not clean, pathogens growing in the reservoir can be expelled into the air. Guardian Technologies Pureguardian™ Ultrasonic humidifiers utilize Silver Clean™ Technology to fight the growth of mold and mildew on the surface of the water tank.

Warm-Mist:

These humidifiers tend to be the least expensive. They work by boiling water which produces steam. The steam is then cooled slightly before being released in to the air. Warm-mist tabletop units are quieter than the evaporative type of humidifiers, but they are also more costly to operate.

Warm-mist humidifiers can also raise the air temperature in a room which is nice in the winter but not so wonderful if you live in a warm location. If you have small children, using a warm-mist humidifier is not recommended because the heated water can cause accidental scalding. They are also not recommended if anyone in your house suffers from asthma due to the warm mist causing irritation to the airways.

Vaporizer:

 

A vaporizer boils water which then releases steam and moisture into the air. A medicated inhalant can also be added to the vaporizer to help diminish coughing spells. Vaporizers tend to be healthier to use than cool mist humidifiers because the steam is less likely to deliver impurities or microorganisms from the water in the holding tank. Boiling water requires a lot more energy than other methods.

  Impeller:

 

 

Impeller types of humidifiers, also called cool mist humidifiers, use a spinning disk to deliver water into a diffuser which then breaks the water into droplets that float into the air. Along with the water, they can also send microorganisms and dissolved minerals into the air which can settle as white dust onto surrounding household items. To prevent this it’ s recommended to fill them with distilled water which adds substantially to the cost of operating the humidifier.

Evaporative:
Evaporative humidifiers operate by soaking water up into a wick and expelling the moisture out with a fan. Large console humidifier models all make up this type. Small evaporative humidifiers are inexpensive and their filters assist in keeping microorganisms and minerals in the water from being sent into the air. However, it’ s very important to clean them regularly and have their filters changed when recommended. The evaporative humidifier is the most common one on the market. They are also called cool mist or wick humidifiers.

Evaporative humidifiers have 3 basic parts, the wick, the water reservoir and the fan. The wick is a filter that soaks up water from the reservoir and gives it a larger surface area for it to evaporate from. The fan is next to the wick and blows air onto it to help with the water evaporation.

The water evaporates based on the relative humidity of the room. A room with low humidity will allow water to evaporate more quickly compared to a room which has high humidity. Therefore, this type of humidifier regulates itself. As the humidity of the room goes up, the water vapor goes down.

The wicks or filters become moldy if they are not dried out between reservoir fillings. They also can become filled with mineral deposits over time. The filters need regular rinsing or replacement. If this isn’ t done, air cannot pass through the wick and the humidifier stops humidifying the area. You’ ll know the humidifier is not operating properly by the water remaining at the same level in the tank.

This article is from:http://www.guardiantechnologies.com/types-of-humidifiers.asp

How to Diffuse Essential Oils with a Humidifier?

 

Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts from plants and are used in a variety of ways to improve the smell of your house, office or room. They are also used to improve moods and sooth minds. You can use essential oils in your bath, in lotions or beauty products, household cleaning and even bug repellents. One popular way to diffuse the smell of essential oils is to put the oil in a humidifier. The humidifier then spreads the scent of your essential oil throughout the entire room.

Instructions

1. Open the water chamber of your humidifier. This is the area where you pour the water into the humidifier.

2. Add three to nine drops of the essential oil. The scent you choose is completely up to you, so select a scent that you’re drawn to. Some popular choices include eucalyptus, lavender and rose

3. Turn the humidifier on and let it run through the night. If you want to use the humidifier during the day, add three to nine more drops of essential oil as the scent wears off.

SainSonic LM006 150ML Ultrasonic LED Air Humidifier Aroma

Diffuser

Tips & Warnings

1.As an alternative to the humidifier method, add several drops of essential water to boiling or very hot water. Let the water set and the steam will diffuse the scent of your essential oil through the air.

2.Clean the humidifier after each use with the essential oil. It’s possible that the essential oil may damage the plastic parts of your humidifier. This is not common but is still a risk to consider.

21 Things You Should Know About Using Essential Oils

21 Things You Should Know About Essential Oils

• Essential oils are not really oils. They do not contain the fatty acids that constitute what we would consider an actual oil. Valerie Gennari Cooksley, author of Aromatherapy: Soothing Remedies to Restore, Rejuvenate and Heal defines essential oils as “highly concentrated plant constituents possessing potent medicinal and cosmetic qualities.” However, I think Stephanie Tourles nailed it in Organic Body Care recipes when she said, “I consider essential oils the life force or the soul of the plant.”
• Most essential oils are high in antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties: This makes them an excellent addition to your homemade cleaning preparations. Oils that are best for cleaning are: Lemon, grapefruit, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, lavender, and rosemary.
• Essential oils are miniscule in molecular size, which means they are absorbed well by the skin – making them perfect ingredients in personal care items intended to heal, soften, and nourish. However, they do not accumulate in the body over time – they simply offer up their healing properties and then pass on through.
• Scientific studies have shown that rosemary essential oil helps your brain perform. Specifically, smelling rosemary essential oil helps memory recall and performance on tests. Interestingly, this study also showed that groups that inhaled either rosemary or lavender essential oil felt much more relaxed than those who inhaled no odor at all.
• Fragrance oils and essential oils are NOT the same thing. As a rule of thumb, if you see the word “fragrance” or “fragrance oil” or even “perfume” on anything, you can assume this is synthetic and NOT natural. (Even if it says natural fragrance.)
• Essential oils are wholly natural and cannot be patented; which means that you’ll never see an essential oil in a pharmaceutical drug. As such, you can expect that the vast majority of mainstream healthcare practitioners will never recommend essential oils as therapeutic alternatives to drugs. More importantly, because essential oils cannot be patented, drug companies will not waste money studying them. This limits our scientific knowledge of essential oils GREATLY, and the majority of what we know about them are things that have been passed down through thousands of years of personal use and experimentation.
• Enormous amounts of plants are needed to produce essential oil. In fact, on the extreme end, it takes 4000 pounds of Bulgarian roses to produce 1 pound of essential oil. Other plants like lavender only take 100 pounds of plant material to produce a pound of essential oil. Still, can you imagine how concentrated essential oils must be, in light of how many plants are used to produce them?

• Most essential oils should never be used undiluted on the skin. Instead, they should be combined with “real” oils (called carrier oils), waxes, butters, alcohols, or other diluting measures. Because they’re so concentrated, if you don’t dilute, you may end up with an unfortunate reaction (and unhappy skin).
• There are a few essential oils that are generally recognized as safe to use undiluted. Of course, there has to be a few exceptions to the rule. Again, in Organic Body Care Recipes, the author points out that the only essential oils that are widely acknowledged as safe to use undiluted (sparingly) are: lavender, German chamomile, tea tree, sandalwood, and rose geranium.
• Never use an undiluted essential oil on a baby or child. Children have much thinner, more delicate skin than adults have, and tend to be very sensitive to the potency of essential oils. In fact, even if you do use essential oil in a recipe for children, only use half of the essential oil recommended in the recipe. That’s all they’ll need, anyway. (Here is a list of 19 essential oils that are safe for babies and children.)
• Avoid the following essential oils while pregnant or nursing (and skip EOs completely in your first trimester): Aniseed, cedarwood, chamomile, cinnamon, clary sage, clove, ginger, jasmine, lemon, nutmeg, rosemary, sage (this is only a partial list of some of the more common essential oils – view the full one here).
• To test if you’re sensitive to an essential oil (which is probably best to do before using it in a skincare preparation): Combine one drop of essential oil with 1/2 tsp carrier oil (like olive, jojoba, or sweet almond). Rub this on the inside, upper portion of your arm and wait a few hours. If no redness or itching develops, you’re most likely not sensitive to that essential oil.
• Keep all essential oils out of the reach of children – and avoid contact with your eyes. This is just standard safety precautions, but must be mentioned.
• Do not take essential oils internally, especially oils like wintergreen and eucalyptus. While some essential oils may be used well-diluted in something like toothpaste with safety, it’s generally recognized that there’s no need to take essential oils internally. In fact, there are several toxic essential oils that should be avoided even through skin contact. Luckily, these are NOT common essential oils, and most of them you’ll never find in the store.

• Not all essential oils are created equally, nor does more expensive necessarily mean “better.” There are certain brands I will use in a less therapeutic fashion (like for cleaning), because they’re far less expensive than their counterparts. When you see a wide fluctuation in price between, say, lavender essential oils, you can bet that the far less expensive one is likely lower in quality. However, a small variation in price differences on the higher end will NOT mean a better essential oil. It will just mean a higher price. (A little birdie also told me that there are also only a handful of essential oil distilleries in the world, which means that most essential oils come from the exact same places – thus there is little difference in quality between the more “typically priced” EOs.) What I’m saying here is: Understand that you DO have to pay for quality, but that if you’re just using essential oils in non-therapeutic fashions, it’s okay to use less expensive oils (like the Beeyoutiful ones pictured at the top of this post, or NOW brand essential oils). But if you want high quality, I suggest using Mountain Rose Herbs or another ethical supplier that offers organic essential oils (grown without pesticides or toxic fertilizers).
• To test your essential oil to see how “pure” it is, put a single drop of it on a piece of construction paper. If it evaporates quickly and leaves no noticeable ring, it is pure. If you have a ring left, then it is likely diluted by the manufacturer with an oil of some sort (this test will not work for myrrh, patchouli, and absolutes).
• Essential oils will last for at least 5 years (if not 10), so one bottle could literally last you a decade. Hopefully that thought will help mitigate the cost involved in purchasing some essential oils. Because they are SO concentrated and only a tiny amount is needed in anything you do, they’ll last you a very, very long time. The only exception to this rule is citrus oils, which will see a reduction in potency after a year or two.
• Store your essential oils in dark glass bottles (which they were probably packaged in) and out of direct sunlight. This is simply to help preserve their potency.
• Remember that what you’re allergic to in food, you will be allergic to in essential oils. So if, for some reason, you can’t eat sage without breaking out in a rash, steer clear of sage essential oil (or any product containing it).
• USE ESSENTIAL OILS TO HELP YOUR MOOD. Lavender, peppermint, grapefruit, chamomile, lemon, ylang-ylang all help produce happy, joyous moods. Clary sage helps with PMS (although there have been reports that overuse of clary sage can lead to intoxication). Rosemary increases focus and concentration. Don’t forget the mood benefits of essential oils. Here’s an information packed aromatherapy reference chart to refer to.
• The recommended usage of many essential oils is hotly contested throughout the aromatherapy profession. The majority of oils you find in the supermarket are absolutely safe (though you should research them before using them); however, once you start digging into the world of essential oils, you’ll find that professionals – even within the same organization – debate extensively over the use of certain oils. If you’re ever unsure about an oil or its use, do the research you can, and if you still cannot make up your mind as to its safety – avoid it. But, by all means, do NOT be afraid of essential oils. Just use them with care and respect, and all will be fine.

Recommended Essential Oils to Get You Started

“What essential oils do you recommend I buy?” is the number one question I receive.

It’s a tough one to answer, because what EOs you buy depends on what you’re going to use them for. Nonetheless, I’ve narrowed it down to 7 essential oils to consider when starting to use them in your personal care products or homemade cleaning supplies.

• Peppermint (good for lip balms, oily/acneic skin, and cleaning products)
• Rosemary (good for hair preparations, oily/acneic skin, and cleaning products)
• Sweet orange (good for all skin types and very soothing in room sprays for children)
• Rose geranium (good for all skin types, creating perfumes, and for use in homemade moisturizers)
• Tea tree (great for healing, getting rid of dandruff, oily/acneic skin, and cleaning products)
• Lavender (great for all skin types, for relaxation, hair preparations, and cleaning products)
• Lemon (great for lifting moods, cleaning preparations, and sparingly in toners and products for oily skin)

All of these essential oils also happen to be some of the least expensive and easiest to find. Bonus!

Where should you buy them?

• Mountain Rose Herbs
• More Than Alive (who graciously supplied Crunchy Betty with the Beeyoutiful essential oils found in the first picture)
• Whole Foods/Trader Joes (or your local natural foods store)
• iHerb (use my personal code OZE706 at checkout to get $5 off your first purchase there)

read more :

http://www.crunchybetty.com/21-things-you-should-know-about-essential-oils

How to Clean out a Humidifier?

Humidifiers moisten indoor air and are useful for treating cold and flu symptoms, healing dry skin and helping babies sleep more peacefully. Humidifies that are not cleaned properly may pump bacteria into the air, so it’s important to use the right technique and clean your machine out often. Learn how to perform a basic cleaning, disinfect the humidifier and prevent bacterial growth.

Performing a Basic Cleaning

1.Rinse the filter. Unplug the humidifier first, then remove the filter. Hold it under the faucet and rinse it with cold water to wash away any impurities. Let it on a clean towel to dry while you clean the remaining parts.

 

• Don’t use cleaning solution to clean the filter. Chemicals can permanently damage the filter so that it will no longer work properly.
• You may have a model of humidifier that requires you to change the filter every now and then. If this is the case, check the manufacturer’s instructions and change the filter as often as is recommended.\

2. Wash the water tank. Remove the tank from the humidifier and pour out the old water. Fill the tank with 3 cups of vinegar, swish it around so that it covers the bottom and sides of the tank, and let it sit for at least 1 hour. The vinegar acts as a natural cleanser that loosens buildup from the bottom of the water tank. Rinse the tank thoroughly when you’re finished.

 

• If necessary, use a scrub brush to scrub away some of the grime at the bottom of the water tank.
• Using another type of cleaner could have negative consequences, since the liquid from the water tank gets pumped into the air. Stick with vinegar to make sure you’re creating a safe environment for your family.

3.Wipe down the frame. Use a sponge dampened with vinegar and water to wipe the remaining parts of the humidifier. This prevents dust and other debris from entering the water tank, and inhibits the growth of mold or bacteria.

 

Disinfecting the Humidifier

1.Use a bleach and water solution. Pour a gallon of water and a teaspoon of bleach into the water tank. Let the solution sit in the tank for an hour to completely sanitize the inside of the tank. Pour out the solution and rinse with clean, cold water.

• Be sure the tank has been thoroughly rinsed before you replace it on the humidifier frame.
• Don’t let the bleach sit in the humidifier for more than an hour, or it could damage the machine.

2.Use peroxide. Pour a few cups of peroxide into the water tank. Swish it around so that it covers the bottom and sides of the tank. Allow the peroxide to sit in the tank for an hour, then pour it out and rinse the tank with cold water.

3.Do a deep clean with vinegar. Fill the water tank with a cup of vinegar and a gallon of water. Plug it in outside and let the humidifier run for an hour. After an hour, pour out the remaining liquid from the tank, rinse it with clean water, then fill it with clean water and run the humidifier for another hour. Rinse out the tank one more time before using.

• Don’t run the humidifier run indoors when you’re using vinegar in the water tank. It will make your home smell like vinegar.
• Don’t use bleach or any other chemical to do a deep clean through the working part of the humidifier. Turning the humidifier on and running chemicals through the system could cause permanent damage.

Preventing Bacterial Growth

1.Change the water often. Leaving water to sit in the water tank for long periods of time causes mineral deposits to collect on the bottom and sides. The longer you leave the water sitting there, the more deposits will collect and the harder they’ll be to remove.

2.Clean the humidifier every three days. When the humidifier is in heavy use during the winter or when a family member has a cold, clean it every three days with a simple vinegar or hydrogen peroxide rinse. Do a deep clean every two weeks or so.

3.Replace the humidifier when necessary. Old humidifiers that have gotten a lot of use may start to break down over time. The worn-out parts will be more prone to hosting bacterial growth.

• If you’ve had your humidifier for more than a five years or so, you might want to consider replacing it.
• If you aren’t ready to replace your older humidifier, make sure to clean it with bleach or peroxide every few weeks.

4.the area around the humidifier dry. If the humidifier is causing the area around it to become damp, turn it down. Surrounding the humidifier with dampness can lead to the growth of bacteria and mold.

5.Store the humidifier properly. When it’s time to put the machine away after the winter, clean it thoroughly and make sure it is completely dry before putting it away. When you take it out again next year, clean it again before using.

read more:http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-out-a-Humidifier

How to Use a Dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers are designed to regulate the amount of moisture that is in the air of a given space. Follow these steps to ensure you use a dehumidifier properly.

1.Select the correct capacity for your space.

 

The efficiency of a dehumidifier is based on the space you have as well as how moist that space is. The capacity is listed in measurements of the number of pints the dehumidifier collects per 24-hour period. Conditions can range from moderately damp to extremely damp. Dehumidifiers can accommodate up to 44 pints (20.8197 liters) per 24 hours in a space as large as 2,500 square feet (232.257 square meters).

2.Find a safe and appropriate location for your dehumidifier.

You can place the unit against a wall if your dehumidifier has a top-mounted air discharge. However, if this is not the case, you will need to keep the dehumidifier away from the walls and other obstructions to allow the air to circulate around the machine. It is also important to keep doors and windows closed while you are running the dehumidifier to help it run more efficiently. Keep. your dehumidifier away from sources of debris or other objects that can clog the machine.

3.Be aware of the temperature

The air temperature in the room where you are running your dehumidifier may increase as the moisture is removed. This is perfectly normal and should not pose any problems. The time for concern may be, though, if the area in which you run your unit is consistently below 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 Celsius). Frost may begin to appear on the coils of the dehumidifier, which could cause the unit to work improperly. In these cases, you should purchase a dehumidifier that has an anti frost sensor or one that is created specifically for cool spaces.

4.Allow the humidifier to run through several cycles.

The first time you use your dehumidifier will be the most productive. You will be removing the majority of the excess water in the air over the first few hours, days or sometimes even weeks. After the first round, though, you will be simply maintaining an appropriate level of humidity rather than trying to bring it down drastically. You will be able to set the amount of humidity that you desire on your dehumidifier when you plug it in.

5.Maintain your dehumidifier.

You will need to empty you dehumidifier on a regular basis in order to keep it running properly and efficiently. How often you do this will depend on the size of your space and the amount of humidity you are dealing with. Some areas may require the bucket of water to be emptied once a day, while others may only need to be drained once per week. Keep an eye on your dehumidifier to determine what it will take to keep it running.

 

 SainSonic LM-001BE Ultrasonic 100ML LED Air Humidifier Aroma Diffuser

Quick Overview

• Eases Breathing & Sleep better; Coloful changing LED lamp, romantic and convenient.
• LED Light Diffuser relieves depression, stress, fatigue & headaches.
• 100ml water capacity that can continue use up to 3 hours each time.
• Produces “happy feeling” negative ions which help to lift your mood, strengthen the immune system and relieve stress. Negative ions have several other benefits to the respiratory system and general well being
• Moisturizes and refreshes the quality of air we breathe. This feature is important as it humidifies the hot and dry air in the room during summer and winter when heating is switched on
• 

 

 

 

 

Difference Between Aromatherapy Diffusers and Humidifier

There are many benefits to buying and using an aromatherapy diffuser for the home. The therapeutic benefits are numerous, aromatherapy can be used effectively to not only de-stress and refresh but depending on the particular blend of aromatic oils that you use there are many other effects in their uses.  Mood enhancement, better sleep patterns and stress reduction are some of the many reasons why people choose aromatherapy as an alternative therapy.

Many of the essential oils used in this type of therapy can help to relax both the body and the mind, oils such as lavender is said to not only help stress levels but aid sleep and reduce the pain caused by headaches.  Other oils such as ylang ylang and lemongrass can relax and calm the mind while others are known to help the respiratory system.

An aromatherapy diffuser is an ideal way to benefit from the therapeutic values these essential oils offer.

Types of Aromatherapy Diffusers

An aromatherapy diffuser can release the essential oils in a few different ways. Most use a small fan that draws the air through a pad that has been soaked with an essential oil blend, this allows the aroma from the oil blend to disperse into the room. Other types of diffusers use steam or heat to help circulate the fragrance oils throughout the area.

Infrared aromatherapy diffusers : it works with the technology infrared sensor, the furthest distance is 3 meters,the biggest angle is 90 degree.

High, Middle, Low model for mist to be adjust.

1.7MHz atomizer, more fine fog.

With anion (negative ion) function, for you to create a fresh, comfortable space.

Colorful LED night light mode.

Three kinds of humidification mode and humanized design, to meet your different needs.

Independent control of humidification, anion and night light to meet your needs.

SainSonic LM-S18 200ML Infrared Air Humidifier Aroma Diffuser

Ultrasonic aromatherapy diffusers tend to be slightly larger than the infrared diffuser.  An ultrasonic diffuser can act as both a humidifier and diffuser helping to keep the humidity level of the room at a comfortable level that you are accustomed to no matter where you may be.  This type of diffuser uses sound waves to break the oils into tiny particles that float and disperse throughout the room.

SainSonic LM-168 500ML Ultrasonic LED Air Humidifier Aroma

Diffuser

There are several other types of aromatherapy diffusers available such as candle diffusers which again use heat to disperse the oils but for home use, especially in a family home where there may be young children the ultrasonic or electric diffusers are a safer option.  Whichever diffuser you decide to buy for your home essential oils and your diffuser should be kept out of reach of young children and pets.

read more: http://lauraphilips.hubpages.com/hub/Best-Aromatherapy-Diffuser

How to Use Essential Oils For Family Health?

Getting Started with the Basics

Applying Essential Oils “Neat”
If instructions say to apply the oil “Neat” that means to apply the essential oil undiluted.

How to dilute Essential Oils
“Dilute” means to mix the essential oil with carrier oil before using. This is generally the preferred method for applying essential oils on the body. This allows for more controlled absorption into the skin as essential oils can evaporate quickly. It is also safer and lessens the chance of sensitivity.

How to use essential oils with Carrier Oils
Examples of carrier oils are jojoba, olive, sesame seed, grape seed, sweet almond, sunflower seed, wheat germ, and vitamin E oils. We have used organic coconut oil, organic olive oil, and Young Livings “V-6 mixing oil.” Whatever you decide to use should be organic if possible.

Young Living has combined seven of these carrier oils into a blend called “V-6 Mixing Oil.” This blend is highly nourishing and full of anti-oxidants. It is excellent for diluting essential oils.

How to dilute

Adults
Mix 3-4 drops of essential oil to ½ tsp. of carrier oil or
6-8 drops of essential oil to 1 tsp. carrier oil or
30-40 drops of essential oil to 1 oz. of carrier oil

Basic dilution recipe for babies and children (usually ½ to 1/3 adult)
1-2 drops of essential oil to ½ tsp. of carrier oil or

2-3 drops of essential oil to 1 tsp. of carrier oil or
15 drops of essential oil to 1 oz. of carrier oil

Safety
When learning how to use essential oils, safety is very important. Always do a skin test before using an essential oil. Keep vegetable oil nearby to wipe off the essential oil if sensitivity occurs. Do not use water!

How to use essential oils for Babies and Children
Many essential oils are safe to use on babies and children. Dilution is generally ½-1/3 that of adults. Always test the skin first for oil sensitivity,the bottom of the feet are the safest place.

How to use Essential Oils Safely

Avoid using peppermint oil on the throat and chest area of children less than 30 months of age.This could cause spasms of the larynx.

How to use essential oils for Infants and Babies “Indirectly”
Rub 1-2 drops of essential oil into the palm of your left hand until they are almost dry. Without touching the baby, hold your hands over the area of the body that needs attention. This works well for infants and babies without having to directly apply oils.

Mild Compress for Infants, Children, and Sensitive Skin
Place 5-15 drops of essential oil into a basin of warm water (approx. 100 degrees); use cool water if there are neurological problems. Agitate the water vigorously and let stand for 1 minute. Place a dry cloth on top of the water to soak up the oils that have floated to the surface. Wring out cloth and apply it to body. Cover with a thick towel to seal in warmth no longer than 1 hour.

How to use essential oils in Aromatherapy

Direct Inhalation: Essential Oils can be inhaled directly from the bottle or from the palms of your hands. Rub 1-2 drops of essential oil together in the palms of your hand. Cup your hands over your nose and breathe in deeply.

Essential Oil Diffuser: Eliminate bacteria and viruses in your home with an essential oil diffuser. You can create a germ free zone and therapeutic or healing zone by diffusing essential oils. This is an excellent way to get healing oils into the respiratory system of family members, especially during the cold and flu season. This is a wonderful way to add fragrance to the air and it can eliminate insects in your home.

SainSonic GL1 Wood Ultrasonic Air Humidifier Purifier

Aroma Diffuser

Humidifier or Vaporizer: Place a few drops of essential oil in the medicine well of your humidifier or vaporizer.

Steam: Add a few drops of essential oil into a bowl that has been filled with hot water. Drape a towel over both the bowl and your head. Breathe in deeply. This is great for sinus congestion.

Perfume: Many essential oils can be worn as perfumes. This is a non-toxic and chemical free way of adding the nourishing benefits of oils into your daily routine.

How to use essential oils for Topical Application

Direct Application: Topical or direct application means applying the oils directly onto the skin. They can be applied on the back, along the spine, on the soles of the feet, the hands, ears, or the area of concern. *Dilution may be required

Essential Oil Massage: Essential oils can be used before massage, during a massage, and after a massage.

Soles of the Feet: One of the safest and most effective places to apply essential oils is on the bottom or the soles of the feet. This is recommended for children and those with allergies or sensitive skin. This is a good place to test for “oil sensitivity.” To target specific conditions we highly recommend the Vita Flex Technique.

Reflex points and “Vita Flex Technique”
This technique stimulates the nerve pathways that lead to internal body systems. This is a very effective way to deliver the therapeutic benefits of essential oils throughout the body. You can use this technique to effectively target specific areas of the body. Reflex points are located on both the feet and hands. Stimulating these pathways with essential oils can produce rapid results.

Auricular Technique (Emotional and Physical)

In this technique essential oils are applied to the acupressure points on the ears. This delivers the therapeutic benefits of essential oils into the body and mind to address not only physical issues but emotional issues as well.

Young Living has developed an essential oil kit, called the “Feelings Kit,” to help with depression, fear, anger, hate, guilt, rejection, feeling stuck, feeling overwhelmed, etc.

Raindrop Therapy
The raindrop technique combines essential oils with massage to bring the body into structural and electrical alignment. Viruses and bacteria can hibernate or lie dormant along the spine causing inflammation, disease, spinal disfigurement, and many other problems. Using highly antimicrobial oils in a structured sequence, kills the viruses and bacteria and reduces inflammation. This technique is relatively easy to understand and put into practice. Young Living Essential Oils carries a kit collection called the “Raindrop Technique” that includes the oils, a demonstration DVD, and brochure.

Compress: For deeper penetration of an essential oil you can create a compress. Rub 1-3 drops of essential oil on location. Cover with a comfortably hot, damp towel. Cover the moist towel with a dry towel for 10-60 minutes. You may experience warming. If it becomes uncomfortable apply a vegetable or carrier oil to location.

How to use essential oils in a Bath: Oils do not mix with water and if not properly dispersed can irritate the skin. Add 2-3 drops of essential oil to 1 cup Epsom salts or add 5-15 drops of oil to a bath gel base.

Foot Bath: You can use this to relax, to soothe tired or inflamed feet, treat fungal infections, etc. Add 5-10 drops of essential oil to warm water in a tub or basin and soak feet 15-30 minutes.

How to use Essential Oils for Disinfecting: Essential oils are a non-toxic and chemical free way to clean and disinfect surfaces. We use essential oils to clean our kitchen, bathroom, floors, walls, cars, toys, laundry, dishes….just about everything. Essential oils kill germs! You can make your own cleaning solution or disinfectant in a spray bottle.

Disinfecting Spray Recipe: Add 15-20 drops of lemon, thieves, or purification,etc. essential oil to a 4-6 oz. spray bottle. Fill with water.

How to use essential oils internally:
Caution! The following information is to be used with Young Living Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils Only! Their oils are backed by scientific documentation and they are guaranteed pure.
Certain oils are safe for internal use. In fact some oils work best when they are taken internally. Always double check to see if the oil is certified as “GRAS” meaning “Generally Regarded as Safe.” Remember essential oils are highly concentrated and you should always use with caution. The adults in our family add oils to our water, tea, etc. and we take them internally, especially during the cold and flu season. Be sure to follow instructions.

Before You Buy A Room Humidifier – Humidifier Buying Tips

A few buying tips will make your humidifier shopping a little easier. If you are not sure that you really need a humidifier, you may want to measure the humidity level in your home with a hygrometer. They are inexpensive and can help you monitor the air you breathe so you can take action to maintain it at the optimum level. Review the recommended moisture level in Controlling Moisture. Sorting through humidifier details can be daunting and consumers have lots of questions

Determine The Type of Humidifier You Need – Cool vs Warm Mist

First, you need to decide what type of humidifier you are looking for – warm or cool mist, or whether a dual unit would be more convenient. If you’re not sure, learn the difference between a warm and cool mist humidifier to help you determine what is best for you. Read why some feel a cool mist is safer when young children are present. There are also models that humidify and purify (or wash) the air – these are usually a more expensive, but may be worth considering. For more about maintaining a proper home humidity, read Controlling Home Moisture and learn why too little or too much humidity can be problematic.

Type of Humidifica

tion Processes

There are basically two types of processes that a humidifier might use to generate moisture or steam – evaporative which is more common and generally the cheapest, and ultrasonic which produces a finer water mist. Either type can be used for warm or cool mist models, but ultrasonic is considered safer since it does not produce a mist by boiling water. Therefore the humidifier does not contain hot water that could create a hazard if the unit was knocked over.

Humidifier Styles – Personnal, Portable, Console or Flow-Through ByPass

A personal humidifier is a very compact, no more than 1-liter that can be taken on trips to provide moisture where you need it. Though efficient for personal use, the coverage area is limited. Also considered portable, a room humidifier can vary in capacity from compact to large room size and is most commonly used in bedrooms or living areas. A console model is a large, free-standing unit on wheels. Because of the larger capacity and efficiency, console models are considered whole-house units. Another type of whole-house humidifier is a flow-through bypass unit that must be installed on the home’s duct system.

Controlling Moisture Output

While some humidifiers are basic in moisture control with two or three variable fan speeds, others may have a built-in hygrometer to indicate the moisture level in the room and a humidistat that you can set for the unit to cycle on/off to maintain the proper level. Unless you want to monitor the room’s moisture level and adjust settings to maintain it, these measurement features are very handy and worth the extra cost.

Ease of Handling & Maintenance

Some water tanks are a little harder to remove and refill, some lift off easily. Could the weight of a full tank be a problem for you? Take time to inspect the unit to see how easy the water tank removes from the base. Also note if the model will require filter changes, check on availability, as well as how easy they are to change. Consider purchasing a couple of filters along with your new humidifier as maintenance is crucial to reduce the risk of bacteria and unhealthy air.

Operation Noise Level & Settings

Expect some operating noise from a humidifier, but if the unit is for a bedroom, you may want to look for one with a low, night or silent setting. This being said, my silent model is not really that quiet, but we adapted quickly to it. It actually helps to ‘drown’ out other household noises. You should have at least two settings on the unit, high and low options. Ultrasonic humidifiers are considered the quietest to operate since there is no boiling of water (hissing) and moisture is expelled in a very fine mist.

read more:

http://housewares.about.com/od/humidifiersdehumidifiers/bb/bybhumidifier.htm