A humidifier is an excellent gadget for your room, home, office, or other location that brings a ton of benefits.
For one, it takes care of your air to be more humid and easier to breathe. That enhances your feelings of relaxation, and you feel more at ease.
So, naturally, people are warming up to the idea of purchasing one of these more and more.
And as this topic becomes popular, more questions regarding the humidifier pop up.
Some of these questions relate to putting Vicks VapoRub or Drops in the humidifier.
Is it okay to do it? Should you do it?
We’ll try to explain the answers in the following paragraphs, so breathe in and let’s go!
Vicks for Cool Mist Humidifier?
For starters, Vicks Vapor Rub (by Procter & Gamble) falls into the category of topical medications or ointments, to be more precise.
Among other things, they are known to have a substance called petrolatum in them. In return, the petrolatum has some unordinary effects.
They can include irritation of the respiratory system when this substance enters the organism.
In other instances, it can be poisonous and even incendiary.
Don’t get us wrong here; there’s nothing wrong with using them as separate substances, but putting Vicks in a humidifier may not be a good idea because of the effects we’ve mentioned.
In general, Vicks VapoRub, as well as liquid drops, can be slick and highly flammable greasy substances that may damage your humidifier unit.
Even though you have the best intentions at heart, this can seriously affect the system of how the steam or vapor is pushed forward.
Putting Vicks In Humidifier For Baby
For starters, the aroma of menthol can have a soothing effect on your children.
When applied externally as a chest rub, it can help them provide significant relief from cough, cold, flu, pain, etc.
However, studies show that it may be dangerous and even toxic for infants under the age of two.
This is because it can irritate the airways and cause nasal congestion instead of curing it.
As with everything, using Vicks in humidifiers has its ups and downs as they represent a risk in many ways, especially for infants and young children.
Therefore when it’s about putting Vicks liquid or vapor-rub in a humidifier, you should completely avoid it.
In fact, if you want to use Vicks for small kids and infants, it’s best to consult your pediatrician before you get one to avoid possible side effects.
Can You Use Vicks Vaposteam In Humidifier?
As far as Vicks humidifiers are concerned, the manufacturer warns about using any of the Vicks substances (drops or ointment) in their cool-mist humidifier units.
But for those who want to use Vicks for soothing effects in chilling winter months, the company has come up with Vicks VapoSteam Liquid and Vicks Vapopads refill pads.
Vicks VapoSteam In Humidifier
Unlike VapoRub, Vicks Vaposteam does not contain petrolatum and hence is safe to be used in a warm mist humidifier due to its ideal consistency.
For using Vicks VapoSteam in a humidifier, you can simply fill your Vicks Vaporizer tank with fresh, clean water.
And then add 1 tablespoon of VapoSteam per quart of water used.
VapoSteam, when used in warm mist humidifiers, releases its active ingredient “camphor” in addition to eucalyptus and a few other soothing oils.
These being antiseptic and decongestant in nature helps relieve cough and other breathing issues.
Vicks VapoPads In Humidifier
In a few units, Vicks Vapopads or Vicks Waterless Vaporizer Scent Pads can also be used with steam humidifiers or vaporizers.
This can help get soothing menthol vapors for faster cold relief.
Scents like rosemary and lavender are also available with these vapor pads that can allow you to enjoy the scented vapors for about 8 hours.
Upon switching on your Vicks humidifier unit with Vapopads, the room will soon be filled with a medicated steam that can help relieve coughs and colds temporarily.
You should carefully note that although Vicks Vapo Steam and Vicks Vapopads are designed for humidifier use, these are safe to be used in only steam humidifiers or vaporizers and not cool mist humidifiers.
If required, check your humidifier’s manual for more information about using these products before purchasing and using them with your unit.
In any case, before you think of buying or inserting topical ointments or other substances that are known to be oily or harmful, it’s best to consult with the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
If allowed, there has to be a section in them (like in V4600) dedicated to humidifiers with detached compartments for medicine or oil.
Finally, Vicks can be used in tiny quantities to soothe you and freshen the air.
But, they can be very dangerous, especially for small children, if they are in enormous quantities and aren’t used properly.
So it’s better to think twice before you use them in a humidifier…
How To Use Vicks Vapopads In Your Humidifier?
Using Vicks vapopads is pretty easy in your Vicks humidifier.
No matter whether you are using a cool-mist or a warm mist Vicks humidifier, the process is very similar.
- Open up the scent pad by tearing a corner notch provided on the bag
- Open up the scent pad door in the unit and insert the VapoPads (not more than 2) into it
- Close the door carefully, and you are ready to enjoy the medicated scented vapors for up to 8 hours
- After using the vapopads for about 8 hours, discard one or both of them and use the new ones if required
Ensure you do not touch the inner contents provided in the VapoPad bag.
Since these can cause eye or skin irritation, wash them off if it gets on your hands accidentally.
Is Vicks Plug-in Waterless Vaporizer Safe for Babies?
Before we get into the exact question, let us know what a Vicks Plug-in Waterless Vaporizer is.
Vicks Plug-in Waterless Vaporizer is a portable device that can be used with Vicks VapoPads® to get the benefits of a non-medicated menthol scent.
The device comes with 4 scent pads included in the package, an adjustable vapor control feature, and a soft glow nightlight.
It can be used in your kid’s rooms to provide them comfort/relief from cold, flu, chest congestion, and other similar problems.
Is it safe for babies?
Plug-in Waterless Vaporizer and Vicks Vapopads are entirely safe for babies.
As these work pretty fast with non-medicated pads (and not any harmful chemicals or oils) the product is even safe for newborns.
Remember, this waterless vaporizer does not work as a humidifier. It only works by releasing soothing menthol vapors.
Since it does not add humidity to the air, you may need to invest in a good generously sized humidifier if you want good humidification in your baby’s room for a good night’s sleep.
Check the below video to get further ideas on how to put the vapopads and vaposteam safely…
How to Use Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer? (With Vapopads and Vaposteam)
Meen Smith is a nurse by profession who loves writing online, spending time with her family and caring for the elderly. She has already worked as an associate editor on various moms, babies, home appliances, kitchen, and healthy living blogs. In her spare time, she also enjoys drawing, reading/writing kindle eBooks and improving her skills a bit.
