Can You Put Vicks (VapoRub or Drops) in Humidifier?

putting vicks in humidifier

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? And what benefits does it exactly provide?

We’ll try to explain the answers in the following paragraphs, so breathe in, and let’s go…

Putting Vicks in Humidifier for Baby

When it comes to fast-acting, long-lasting relief from cold and flu symptoms, Vicks (by Procter & Gamble) offers a range of trusted products each serving a different purpose;

  • Vicks VapoRub: This classic remedy helps suppress persistent coughs while also soothing minor aches and pains, making it ideal for nighttime relief and easing discomfort in congested areas.
  • Vicks VapoPads: Designed to enhance your humidification experience, these pads release soothing menthol vapors that alleviate discomfort and help you breathe more easily, especially during the night.
  • Vicks VapoSteam: By adding VapoSteam drops to a vaporizer or humidifier, you can moisten your breathing passages, which helps relieve a cold-related cough, promoting easier breathing.

Vicks Vapor Rub is a slick and highly flammable greasy substance. While there’s nothing wrong with using it as a separate substance, putting Vicks Vaporrub in a humidifier may not be good as it may damage your ordinary humidifier unit.

Vicks VapoRub is generally classified as a topical medication or ointment. When applied externally as a chest rub, the menthol aroma can have a soothing effect, helping to relieve symptoms of cough, cold, flu, and minor aches, making it a popular remedy for children.

However, studies suggest that VapoRub can be potentially harmful to infants under the age of two, as it may irritate their airways and worsen nasal congestion instead of providing relief. Additionally, Vicks VapoRub contains petrolatum, a substance that in some cases may cause respiratory irritation or other unusual effects.

Therefore, to avoid possible side effects it’s best to consult your pediatrician before using Vicks in humidifiers for infants and young children.

Vicks in humidifier for cough

How to Use Vicks Vaposteam in a 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 which can be used in their warm steam vaporizer.

Unlike Vicks VapoRub topical ointment for children’s cough and cold, Vicks Vaposteam liquid comes with ideal consistency and it does not contain petrolatum. Hence it is safe to be used in a Vicks warm mist humidifier.

For using Vicks VapoSteam in a humidifier, simply fill your Vicks Vaporizer tank with fresh, clean water and add 1 tablespoon of liquid 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 in the air.

These being antiseptic and decongestant in nature help relieve cough and other breathing issues.

How to Use Vicks Vapopads in Your Vaporizer?

In a few units, Vicks Vapopads or Vicks Waterless Vaporizer Scent Pads can also be used with steam vaporizers which can help get safe and soothing menthol vapors for about 8 hours.

Scents like rosemary and lavender are also available with these vapor pads to allow you to enjoy the scented medicated steam that can help relieve coughs and colds temporarily.

Using Vicks Vapopads is pretty easy in your Vicks humidifier.

  • 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 they get on your hands accidentally.

Is Vicks Plug-in Waterless Vaporizer Safe for Babies?

Vicks Plug-in Waterless Vaporizer is another 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. Being completely safe, it can be used in your kid’s rooms to provide them comfort/relief from cold, flu, chest congestion, and other similar problems.

Upon switching on the unit with Vapopads, the room will soon be filled with a medicated steam. As these work pretty fast with non-medicated pads (and not any harmful chemicals or oils) the product is even safe for newborns.

But remember, this waterless vaporizer only works by releasing soothing menthol vapors (and does not work as a humidifier) 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.