Should A Humidifier Run All Night? Is It Safe?

Humidifiers help a lot in maintaining healthy moisture levels in the air. This can soothe cracked lips, dry skin, and irritated nose. But should a humidifier run all night? Is it safe for you to do so?

There are many benefits to using a humidifier at night, especially during winter. However, there are some precautions you should observe for your safety. After all, water and electricity are a bad mix.

Below, we discussed this topic and we also provided some reminders, so you can enjoy using your humidifier at night without the potential risks.

Should a humidifier run all night? Here are the benefits!

It’s fine to run a humidifier all night to keep you comfy. It’s actually beneficial, especially if you’re suffering from nose bleeding and cracked lips due to very dry air.

Aside from adults, babies can also benefit from humidifier use at night. The moisture can help them breathe easier. Still, the device must be placed away from the crib, and you only use a cold-mist type at all times.

Here are the benefits of using a humidifier at night:

1.    Preventing morning nose bleeding

Do you suffer from morning nose bleeding and sinus congestion? If so, running a humidifier at night will help a lot.

When the air is too dry, it will also dry your nasal cavity. In turn, the skin will crack and bleed, which is painful and irritable.

Aside from that, the dry air at night can make your mucus membranes less efficient from trapping germs that you inhale. When that happens, the pathogens will go straight to your lungs, which can lead to an allergic reaction like runny nose and sneezing.

If you run a humidifier as you sleep, you won’t wake up to this problem. This is much so during winter when the humidity levels experience a massive drop.

2.    Better sleep

Having a humidifier in your bedroom can help you get better sleep quality. Generally, very low humidity levels will make you irritated and awake at night.

And since your airways are dry, it will increase the risk of snoring. For people who are notorious snorers, dry air will make the sound even louder. It can be so loud to the point of waking up the very person snoring.

If this happens repeatedly, the person snoring and the one sleeping in the same room will have poor sleep quality. This can cause irritability, daytime sleepiness, and grogginess the whole day.

3.    Prevents dry throat

Have you ever woke up in the middle of the night dry coughing even if you’re not sick? It’s because your mouth was open while sleeping and the air is making your throat dry. In the morning, this will make your voice raspy and your throat sore.

A humidifier at night can help reduce this irritation. The added moisture in the air will prevent your throat from drying even if you tend to breathe in your mouth while asleep.

4.    Eases itchy skin

Dry air also draws out moisture from our skin. This will lead to cause itchiness, skin cracking, slight scaling, and a rough feel. If this happens every night, you’ll notice your skin looking dull even after a full night’s sleep.

Aside from slathering lotion on your body, you can also use a humidifier all night. This will moisturize your skin and give you a natural glow in the morning.

5.    Reduces static electricity

So you’re really sleepy when you suddenly get a zap from your bed sheet. This is a sign that the air is very dry. The static charge builds up on the fabric, which is worsened by friction as your skin and clothes rub on it.

Instead of getting this surprise, you should use a humidifier to restore the moisture in the air. You’ll notice an immediate result on the first night that you sleep while the device is running.

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Safety reminders when using a humidifier all night

Safety is a major concern when running a humidifier through the night. To ensure that you won’t encounter hiccups, here are some of the precautions you should take:

1.    Place it on a stable surface

Make sure that you place the humidifier on a stable surface before you sleep. You can place it on top of your nightstand, but make sure that it’s at least 3 feet away. Also, the mist shouldn’t be pointing directly in your direction.

If you’re bothered by the buzzing sound of the humidifier, you can place it farther from your bed. Just make sure that the mist isn’t blowing toward the wall.

Lastly, never place your humidifier on top of books, paper, or anything that can easily absorb moisture or combust when heated.

2.    Avoid dry tanks

Dry tanks happen on some humidifiers when it keeps running even if the water is already gone. If the unit doesn’t have an auto shut-off feature, running on a dry tank can cause fires and short circuits. This is very dangerous, so always fill your humidifier if you plan to run it until morning.

If you have a small unit, you may have to set an alarm to refill it in the middle of the night. Upgrading to a bigger humidifier is a better option.

3.    Check the cord

The humidifier cord should never be placed along foot traffic or in an area where it can be pulled accidentally. Always tuck it behind an object. This is much so if you have pets or curious kids who can access your bedroom at night.

4.    Opt for a programmable type

As much as possible, you should get a humidifier with a built-in timer. This way, you can set it to turn off at a specific period before its tank dries out. It’s a simple feature, but it can be life-saving on many occasions.

Aside from that, many programmable humidifiers have humidistats, which will detect the humidity level of the room. It will turn on and off to maintain your target moisture level.

5.    Be careful with warm mist humidifiers

At night, you should be careful when using warm-mist humidifiers. This is very beneficial, but it still poses an added hazard due to the risk of scalding. You should place this device as far away as possible from your bed to avoid direct mist contact.

Also, you should never use a warm-mist type in your baby’s room. This is dangerous as the warm mist can easily injure an infant.

6.    Use distilled water only

Lastly, you should only use distilled water on your humidifier. This way, you wouldn’t inhale white dust as you sleep.

Take note that white dust is due to the high mineral content of tap water. When inhaled, this dust can cause respiratory irritations and even asthma attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long should you run a humidifier at night?

A: A humidifier can be used throughout the night as long as the humidity level calls for it. If possible, get a programmable humidifier that will shut down once the target moisture level has been reached. This prevents your indoor air from getting over-humidified. Also, make sure that the humidifier shuts down automatically once the tank is empty to prevent overheating.

Q: Where should I place a humidifier in my bedroom?

A: You should place a humidifier at least three feet away from your bed. You can place it on a table or shelf as long as it’s not too close to the walls. Also, never place a humidifier on the floor as someone may trip on it and spill the water, which may end up in electrocution.

Q: What is the best humidity to sleep in?

A: The best humidity level to sleep in is anywhere between 40% and 60%. This is comfy enough for most people. Just make sure that you don’t go above 60% as this will make the air too moist, which can trigger mold growth. However, if you have emphysema, you should stay at the lower threshold of 40% to keep your lungs calm.

Q: Why does my room get so dry at night?

A: It’s possible that the winter weather is causing your room to feel dry at night. Also, if your bedroom is on the ground floor of your home, you may experience drier air than those located on higher levels. It’s because cold air settles on lower areas as hot air rises.

Q: Can you sleep with a humidifier on?

A: You can sleep with a humidifier on, but always keep it in a stable and safe spot. Also, make sure that the humidifier has a programmable humidistat to avoid making the air too moist. Lastly, make sure that the humidifier is clean to prevent irritations due to bacterial or mold growth.

Final words

Should a humidifier run all night? Yes, as long as you watch over the humidity level of your room. Although humidifiers help improve your sleep, they can also trigger mold growth if used too much.

Aside from that, you should place the humidifier away from your bed. You should also fill the tank before sleeping to avoid the risk of fires or short circuits.