Vicks humidifiers have a lot of product lines ranging from small 0.5-gallon filter-free cool mist humidifiers to more elaborate ones.
Their humidifiers increase the room’s humidity within a few minutes, and most of the units are on the quieter side, even at the highest possible setting.
Also, most of their products focus on small children, are lightweight, and can also be used with Vicks VapoPads.
The latest Vicks filter-free humidifier can run for almost 20 hours on the lowest possible setting and comes with an automatic shut-off feature.
Why Is My Vicks Humidifier Not Working?
The most common issues are mineral deposits on the heating element or insufficient cleaning.
Do these steps, and this might fix any common issues,
- Take 2 cups of white vinegar and pour it into the water compartment of the Vicks Vapor humidifier.
- Then turn on the humidifier and let it run until the water compartment becomes almost dry.
Humidifier not misting or steaming
This is a common issue in warm mist humidifiers, and the cause is mineral deposit build-up in the heating elements.
Most often, the tap water is impure and has minerals in it.
When one evaporates the water, minerals remain there.
- So, an improper cleaning is the aptest way to make it proper.
- The ultrasonic humidifiers use high-frequency vibes to convert water into micro-drops, release them in the air, and leave minerals behind.
For steaming, however, one more reason can be if your tap water doesn’t have enough minerals, then adding some salt can sustain steaming.
- Remove the vaporizer plug from the electrical outlet and let It cool for some time.
- Then lift by twisting off to remove any steam from the unit a little slow to let the hot water be drained.
Troubleshooting the humidifier
There are some steps which one can use for telling whether the humidifier is working properly or not –
- Firstly, note the water level of the tank, and if it shows any anomaly, you will pick the problem.
- Or see the rate of water desorption and check for any anomalous behavior in it.
- Also, place the humidity gauge in the same room only.
- Now keep your hand over the same vent of the humidifier from where one can see the air pushing out.
Some top recommendations –
- LEVOIT Humidifiers for Bedroom – $87.99 to $89.99 – Large size 6L capacity with a built-in humidity sensor, essential oil feature.
Air vaporizer with remote control and time setting.
Warm and cool mist feature and an automatic mode that maintains the humidity on its own.
Aromatherapy mode for a fresh aroma throughout the room.
- Aqua Oasis™ Cool Mist Humidifier – $29.99 to $49.99 – Quiet Ultrasonic humidifier with a 2.2 L water tank for bedroom and other large rooms.
Comes with an adjustable 360-degree rotation nozzle.
Auto shut off and operates in total silence.
Filter-free features and a lifetime warranty.
- Vicks Mini Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier – $24.99 to $39.99 – Small humidifier for most uses, and this model is compatible with Vicks VapoPads.
A filter-free and cool mist-type humidifier.
Very quick and easy to use.
Sinus, cough, and congestion relief.
Related Questions and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1.) Can one put baking soda in any humidifier?
Answer: Yes
Adding 2 tablespoons of baking soda to water is a great and cheap way to clean it.
And baking soda has abrasive properties as well, which is again a plus.
Q2.) Should one run the humidifier all night?
Answer: The cool mist one is typically safer at night than the warm one.
However, make sure your humidifier unit is clean and clear and not a mold infestation ground.
Q3.) Can one run the sunbeam humidifier without a particular filter?
Answer: No
It is a recommendation that running the evaporative and cool mist humidifiers without a wick will only increase the problems.
On the other hand, most of the ultrasonic and warm mist type humidifiers are fine to use without a filter as they have a water purification template.
Q4.) Can one get sick due to a humidifier?
Answer: They can make you sick only if you don’t keep them clean and convert them into a mold/ bacteria house.
Otherwise, these units help in cold and other respiratory problems.
Q5.) Can one keep a humidifier near his bed all night?
Answer: There’s nothing wrong with doing this at all.
You will enjoy one of the best periods of sleep of your life.
Just make sure that the system is a few feet away, and the best idea is to put it at three feet distance from the bed.
Q6.) How to fix a small humidifier?
Answer: Small or big, the steps are typically the same,
- Firstly, unplug the humidifier/ make sure the power unit is off
- Lift the pad frame near the housing of the humidifier and hold for some time to let the excess moisture fall
- Lastly, remove the padding from the frame and rinse it with some clean water/ replace
Q7.) How long can one expect a diffuser to give off some mist?
Answer: 5 to 10 minutes but the most important thing in doing so is to care for the safety as well.
- Dilute the oil properly in either a carrier oil/ water
- Do the above step before every use
- Avoid diffusing for more than an hour
- Remember to keep the diffuser at a height that is enough for the oil mist to diffuse in the air
Q8.) Why is a weird gurgling sound coming in my Vicks humidifier?
Answer: The sound is nothing to worry about because it just shows that some water is flowing down the unit’s base.
If you want to prevent this sharp sound, one hack is to let loose the tank cap, and the water will maintain a uniform flow.
Q9.) Can one leave the Vicks Vaporizer on for the whole night?
Answer: While there is no harm in doing so but remember that this might lead to low water conditions at midnight so take care of that.
If the water is enough, your sleep at night will also be enough!
Q10.) What does the red light on the Vicks humidifier indicate?
Answer: This is due to an auto shut-off feature that switches on when the water is not there.
Despite being on, it will not work.
Q11.) Why are there some black spots on your Vicks vaporizer?
Answer: Vicks has made some serious notes on this and changed it now.
In some early years, however, Vicks introduced a new metal and that used to corrode very quickly and turned the water into a blackish grey liquid.
This had some black metal parts, and the vapors also carried those out!
Q12.) How can one try to get more steam from the humidifier?
Answer: The initial steps are the same –
- Begin by unplugging the unit from the outlet
- Then remove the steam unit from the given tank
- Add some cool water to fill the mark/ fill line shown on the tank
- Add some salt as per the recommendation from the manufacturer
- Mix everything properly and by replacing the steam unit, lock it into the position
Q13.) How often should one change the Vicks Vapopad?
Answer: Around 30 to 60 days for the change or every 30 to 60 days which also depends on the water quality and usage.
Q14.) How to reset the Vicks humidifiers?
Answer: Turn off at the (0) position and then unplug the cord from the wall outlet.
Make sure the given unit cools itself for 15 minutes, and then take it out from the water base.
Q15.) How to clean a clogged humidifier?
Answer: To clean a clogged humidifier, let some white vinegar sit into the base of the humidifier for an hour.
Then using a simple small brush, clean the mess.
Q16.) How much time does the water level last on a Vicks humidifier?
Answer: 1 day easily on the 1.5-gallon vaporizer with the night light.
Also, it can shut off automatically when the tank is empty without any worry.
Final Verdict
As we know that simple and straightforward products are useful for hectic families who run on a tight schedule.
The Vicks humidifiers fulfill the reason above and can help to quell an uncomfortable child cough easily.
Humidifiers are basically of two types, cold mist and warm mist type.
A cold mist uses the evaporation of water via ultrasonic technology to increase the humidity of your surroundings, which is good for your nasal cavities.
On the other hand, the warm mist uses a type of steamer to boil water and increase the humidity levels.
The most common troubleshoot on a humidifier is a mineral deposit or mold infestation due to non-maintenance.
This affects the working of the unit and is also not healthy for us as well.
Washing with baking soda or using white vinegar and water is great and also the cheapest option to clean the unit for long use.
Most of the modern humidifiers come up with cutting-edge features and big capacities for a family of 6!
Some are quieter, and others make some noise, you decide to choose the best.
Thanks For Reading!