Can I Put Essential Oils in My Humidifier?

Here at AIRCARE HQ, we manufacture three different types of humidifiers: evaporative, steam, and ultrasonic humidifiers. One of our most frequently asked questions is can I put essential oils in your humidifiers. The answer, yes and no. While essential oils can be used with humidifiers, you need to know which humidifiers can use essential oils and how to add the oils to the humidifier. Let us give you a quick run-through!

First, let's look at the different types of humidifiers.

• Evaporative humidifiers: use a wicking filter to absorb water. As the water evaporates, the humidifier’s fan blows the evaporated moisture into the air. Evaporative humidifiers should NEVER be used with essential oils. Any foreign materials added to the water, such as essential oils, will be trapped by the wicking filter. This will cause the filter to break down and possibly fail. So, no, you can not use essential oils in your evaporative humidifier.

• Ultrasonic humidifiers: instead of a wicking filter, these models use a nebulizer, vibrating at an ultrasonic speed that breaks water particles into an ultrafine mist. The humidifier then, silently, propels this mist into the air. Ultrasonic humidifiers do not use wicking filters, but essential oils should never be put directly into the water tank on the ultrasonic humidifiers unless the unit’s tank is made for this purpose – like our NOVA model. But, typically, Essential oils CAN be used with AIRCARE ultrasonic humidifiers by using the special essential oil diffuser tray on these models.

• Steam humidifiers: these models are also wickless and include a heating element that boils the water in the humidifier. This mist is then released into the air. These models are best to help treat respiratory illnesses. AIRCARE steam humidifiers offer a special cup for essential oils or menthol inhalants.

A humidifier’s main purpose is to distribute moisture into the air, thus raising the humidity levels (and comfort levels). Each of our ultrasonic humidifiers comes with an essential oil diffuser tray and essential oil pads. We go into more detail on how to use our pads and oils in your units in this article. Essential oil fragrances can be easily enjoyed in your home while humidifying at the same time. Ultrasonic and steam humidifiers offer the best of both worlds, providing aromatherapy and hydration for health.

As always, we are here to help if you have any questions about the use of essential oils with your ultrasonic humidifier. Just give us a call, shoot us an email, or hit the chat button. We want to make sure your use – and enjoy – your humidifier to its fullest!