A humidifier can help improve the efficiency of your mucous lining, minimizing pet allergy reactions. However, unlike air purifiers, a humidifier device does not work to get rid of the pet dander and dust in your room.
That said, humidifiers can indirectly help with pet dander and dust. By increasing the humidity to the correct levels, your humidifier device also dampens the pet dander and dust particles, making them a bit heavier. These particles will then stick to surfaces instead of floating around in the air where you can breathe them in.
But that’s not the whole story. There are many other things you will need to know, especially if you want to use the device to stop pet dander and dust.
In this article, I will walk through all the details, including what is dust and pet dander, why removing them is crucial, how a humidifier device can help, whether it is safe at all, what can be challenges, and what other options you have for removing pet dander and dust from your home.
So, let’s start right below…
What is Dust and Pet Dander?
Dust comprises many things, including pollen, fungus, insect wings, fabric fibers, human skin cells, and more.
On the other hand, pet dander is made up of dead skin cells shed by animals. These cells contain a protein that can trigger allergies in some people.
While you can’t completely get rid of dust mites or pet dander, there are some tricks you can try to reduce them.
Why is Removing Dust and Pet Dander Important?
For people with allergies, dust and pet dander can cause a lot of problems. Breathing in these particles can trigger your allergies and cause symptoms like sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, and more.
In severe cases, dust and pet dander can even trigger asthma attacks.
So, it’s definitely important to try to reduce the amount of dust and pet dander in your home if you or someone in your family has allergies.
How Can a Humidifier Help with Dust and Pet Dander?
Like I said before, a humidifier will not get rid of the dust and pet dander in your home. However, it can help to reduce the amount of these particles in the air.
When the air is too dry, dust and pet dander can float around easily and be breathed in.
But, when the air is more humid and moisturized, these particles will be dampened and will not float around as much due to the excessive weight they have gained.
They will also be more likely to stick to surfaces instead of floating in the air, which means you will not breathe them in as much.
So, by increasing the humidity in your home with a humidifier, you can definitely help reduce the amount of dust and pet dander in the air.
But if your primary goal is to get rid of pet dander and microscopic dust particles, I would recommend getting an air purifier with HEPA filters (with a pore size of 0.3 microns).
Also, there are air purifier and humidifier combos you can try. They will work to remove pet dander and dust from the air while also increasing the humidity in your home.
Just remember, if you are using a humidifier to help with dust and pet dander, you will need to be extra vigilant about cleaning it often. That’s because if the humidifier isn’t clean, it can actually make your allergies worse.
What are the Different Types of Humidifiers You Can Buy?
Depending on the moisture type you need, humidifiers are categorized into two different types. These are:
- Cool mist humidifier
- Warm mist humidifier
Depending on the technology used to produce the mist, humidifiers are also categorized into three different types. These are:
- Ultrasonic humidifier
- Evaporative humidifier
- Impeller humidifier
1- Cool mist humidifier
A cool mist humidifier is one of the most chosen ones when it comes to buying a great humidifier for a kid’s room.
These work by emitting cool moisture into the air through a built-in evaporative wick system, which is safe and effective to use.
Frequent cleaning and filter changing should be done with these devices to avoid bacteria growth.
And these create little noise compared to other humidifier types.
2- Warm mist humidifier
Also called vaporizers or steam humidifiers, these devices boil the water in the reservoir and release the produced steam into the room.
Unlike cool mist humidifiers, additional medicinal inhalants can be put into these devices for inhalation that can help relieve congestion in the chilling winter season.
Be ensured that careful handling is required while using these humidifiers because the boiling water in the device can put you at risk.
✓ Although the benefits of cool mist humidifiers are more, it is often recommended to use steam humidifiers in certain conditions like severe allergies or cold problems.
Well, when you have decided on the type of mist you want, it’s time to know about the technology used in these devices.
Based on the misting technology used, humidifiers are categorized into these types:
3- Ultrasonic humidifier
This is the most advanced humidifier type, which is equipped with the latest features.
High-frequency ultrasonic vibrations are used in these devices – to disperse the water vapor into the air.
The advanced technology and low power used in these devices make them most silent, kid-friendly, and cost-effective.
Also, you need not worry about changing the filters in these humidifier types.
4- Evaporative humidifier
Evaporative humidifiers or Wick humidifiers are energy efficient and noiseless.
These release water through a saturated pad or wick filter by an internal fan.
As the wick filter traps mineral dust and bacteria before the water is evaporated into the air, you need to change the wick filters every three to four months for better hygiene.
5- Impeller humidifier
This humidifier type uses a rotating disc to send the water through a diffuser and to generate fine droplets of cool moisture.
Many of the cool mist humidifiers in the market use this technology for misting cool moisture into the dry air.
These are cheaper than evaporative humidifiers and can cover a larger area.
However, due to the risk of bacteria spreading in the air with the mist, these units need to be cleaned after each use.
Also, the filters need to be changed every 4-6 months of usage for efficient working.
Few Other Types for Your Home
Portable room humidifiers (mentioned above) are the most common ones used by most people around the globe.
However, depending on the capacity to humidify an area, you can also choose to buy a whole-house humidifier or a console humidifier.
This is a furnace-type humidifier (connected to your home’s HVAC system) that humidifies the entire house instead of a single room.
When choosing between portable and whole-house humidifiers, you must consider your needs, budget, space, and other factors.
In addition to portable and whole-house humidifier types, there are a few others like:
Remember, price should not be the major concern when choosing a well-branded humidifier for home & family.
Instead, look at the features and benefits of each to decide which would best fit your needs.
Keep in mind the health of your family members and choose the best one for them that can offer greater relief for a long.
What Should Be the Ideal Humidifier Settings?
To get the best advantage of your ultrasonic humidifier, your humidifier setting in winter (as well as in summer) should be set ideally according to the temperature.
While most of the humidifier models can be felt comfortable in between 30 percent and 50 percent humidity levels during summer, fall and spring, this may not be the best suitable setting for humidifier humidistat for winters.
And for this reason, as the temperature drops significantly in the winter months, you need to re-adjust these settings to enjoy the most comforting moisture levels.
In general, there are a few basic guidelines you can follow to set a humidistat in the winter. These are:
Outdoor Temperature | Indoor Relative Humidity |
0 to -10 F | 20% |
0 to 10 F | 25% |
10 to 20 F | 30% |
20 to 30 F | 35% |
Care that if you do not alter your humidistat settings in the winter, an increased level of humidity via your device can cause damaging condensation (like mold growth) in your property.
It is therefore advised to carefully track the indoor relative humidity levels using a hygrometer.
And as soon as you notice the condensation on your window sills or walls, turn down the humidistat to 5 – 10 percent, according to your personal preference and recommendation.
What are the Popular Humidifier Brands Available On the Market
As such, there are numerous leading brands in the market when you are searching for the best humidifier brand for your family to reduce pet dander and dust.
Researching a bit and investing some time before you make the decision can make the best choice.
Sad to reveal that the majority of folks probably spend less than 5 minutes choosing a humidifier for their family.
However, the truth is that not all models work the same for all.
Since every model differs in terms of features and working patterns, one should look carefully at the features and specifications while purchasing.
It is important to have a closer look when it comes to choosing a humidifier that comes from a reliable manufacturer and brand.
Below mentioned are the best 10 humidifier brands, makes, and models with high ratings from consumers.
We recommend you to do your research and choose the one among these best models that suit your specific requirements most.
1- Crane
Crane USA is an ideal household brand to go for if you are looking for a great reliable, and portable humidifier unit.
The models are specifically designed for kid’s rooms with the different colorful animal looking humidifiers. These are the safest and easy-to-operate cool mist humidifiers.
The colors and designs this brand offers are appealing and adorable.
You will love to have this one for your kid’s room when you take a look at the different models.
2- Vicks
Whether you are looking for a cool or a warm mist humidifier, Vicks offers different portable options that are best suited for your family.
Most of the Vicks humidifier models have a tank that is equipped with a 24-hour capacity.
This is a good convenience, especially for dry regions. It has got a manual humidistat, and it is a more affordable choice compared to others.
The brand offers the best models, which are low on maintenance and high in efficiency. Most of the models come with a warranty of 3 years.
So without a second thought, you can choose this humidifier for your home and family.
3- Honeywell
Want an automated humidistat convenient humidifier, then Honeywell offers a wider choice of cool and warm humidifiers.
The range varies, though; they are affordable and come with 5 year warranty time frame.
The brand offers various germ-free models that make your home more hygienic and easier to breathe.
The humidifier models from Honeywell are efficient enough and require very little maintenance.
Also, these are very quiet when operating in your room which makes them a good buying option.
4- TaoTronics
If you are seeking a portable humidifier, since you are going to move it from one room to another, the TaoTronics humidifier provides you with the best models with the carrying handle.
Most models are cool ultrasonic mist, but you can also find a warm mist and dual cool with warm mist models in an affordable range.
With these humidifiers, you can now enjoy a good time throughout the year without worrying about your health issues.
5- HoMedics
The Homedics cool mist humidifiers come with easy-to-control adjustments for the changing needs of infants.
The humidifiers are perfect for small or medium-sized rooms and come with up to 1 gallon and more capacity for water storage, which can run up to 24 hours a day.
The clean mist technology ensures the prevention of molds or mildew growth on the surface of the tank.
It even comes with a helpful auto shut timer.
Also, it includes a demineralization cartridge that can free water off its minerals to produce pure mist.
The ultrasonic design provides silent operation to ensure zero disturbances while your infants are asleep.
6- Levoit
Levoit range of humidifiers offers you great humidifying devices that add moisture to the air by pumping vapor or mist into the environment, thus improving the quality of the air we breathe.
The LEVOIT humidifier devices are available for home or office usage and are available in high-end modern patterns to choose from.
You can choose the simple devices for your small room or a complex one for your whole house, or for big-sized living rooms.
7- InnoGear
The InnoGear range of cool mist humidifiers provides clean and cool soothing vapor for your environment and removes all harmful germs and other particles.
The range of humidifiers offered by this brand maintains the environment and keeps your environment managed all the time.
Most users love using the InnoGear humidifier because it also allows you to use essential oils in your unit safely.
It has many other unique features like seven lights that can be used to enhance your mood.
8- Boneco
Boneco or Air-O-Swiss is a high-quality humidifier that is helpful in many situations.
With some top reviews online, it is easy for anyone to judge why this brand is a top choice among consumers.
The brand majorly deals in ultrasonic models that are silent in working and either produce cool or warm mist.
The models come with a digital display which is a plus advantage.
There are more than hundreds of models to choose from when you look for the Air-O-Swiss humidifiers.
9- Safety 1st
Safety 1st humidifiers do not boast a fancy design but work for your home and your most loved little one.
You just have to turn it on with the water at the base and watch it produce mist with the settings that can be set at barely to a very thick mist.
This humidifier produces good quality and quantity of moisture that helps infants sleep peacefully.
The humidifier works well in mid-sized rooms; the products can contain quite a load of water, which makes it last longer.
Most of the Safety 1st humidifiers have no filters, which makes them easier to use. These work silently to ensure sound sleep for children.
10- PureGuardian
PureGuardian humidifiers are available in several designs and models to choose from.
While opting for a PureGuardian or Guardian Technologies humidifier, you can choose between a cool-mist humidifier or one with both warm and cool mist functionality.
These runs on ultrasonic technology that negates sound and consumes minimal power for a pleasant environment.
Furthermore, the ultrasonic technology requires no filter, and the auto shut-off features switch off automatically as the water runs empty.
The above brands are rated as the best humidifiers for home because of their efficiency in delivering the results for what reasons they have been purchased.
We recommend checking more about these brands and their specific models at the Amazon shopping portal, where these humidifiers are sold at the most competitive price.
Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are many more brands in the market that you may check out while purchasing.
Some of the names that are hitting the charts include:
- VicTsing
- URPOWER
- Homasy
- SpaRoom
- Signstek
- Bionaire
- Pure Enrichment
- AIRCARE
- GENIANI
- iTvanila
- Vornado
Besides these, there are also the ones that are less known. Some of these include Relion, Mistique, Radha Beauty, Fortech, Generic, Evenflo, Duracraft, Hunter, etc.
We strongly recommend you pick among the most popular ones as old and popular brands offer you reliability, comfort, and satisfaction to enjoy a good time with your family at home in a guaranteed way.
It is advisable to look through various customer reviews while buying it online at your favorite shops such as Amazon, Walmart, or eBay.
Choose the one that users in the present era most love.
Tips for Choosing the Top Humidifier Brand for Stopping Pet Dander and Dust
When you are planning to buy a good humidifier for your family, several factors must be considered.
Let us discuss a few of them here…
1- What Is Your Requirement –
The dry air problem can cause various health & beauty issues but also can cause severe cracks on your wooden furniture, roofs, walls & wall painting, etc., in your home or office.
The better solution to all these worries is to buy a good-quality branded humidifier. Choosing a perfect humidifier is, however, challenging.
As there are different types of humidifiers available for the varied needs of the users, you must check and take special care about your primary requirements while buying a humidifier.
Choose between the warm or cool mist humidifier according to your family’s needs so that it serves you best for a long.
2- What Size of Humidifier do You Need –
The size of the humidifier to be chosen depends on the space of the room and the volume in which it occupies the room.
Few humidifier models are made for larger areas and are thus bigger. You should avoid purchasing them if you want a portable humidifier for your small room.
Furthermore, if you have a well-insulated room, it can be simply managed with a small size humidifier.
But the area without any insulation must need a large humidifier to provide adequate humid conditions.
It is thus essential to go with an ideal humidifier as per your need, as it can save you a good deal of money while buying one.
I recommend choosing the compact and portable type of humidifier for your home so that it can be easily moved from one room to another if needed.
As these are small-sized, these are also affordable and can be purchased for every room in your home as per the demand of people residing.
3- How Large Is The Area That Needs To Be Humidified –
While buying a room humidifier, just check the area you need to be humidified.
Choose the right humidifier with a suitable capacity that can well humidify your specific area.
If you prefer, you can get a whole-house humidifier which will be a better choice for you in case you need to moisturize your whole house.
However, running a whole-house humidifier can be expensive, especially if you do not want to humidify all the rooms in your home.
4- Is It Comfortable and Safe for Your Whole Family –
Most modern humidifier devices are user-friendly and come with features like easy cleaning, noise-free operation, auto shut off, top fill, etc.
While picking the right humidifier for your family, just ensure that it is best suited for all your family members, including infants, seniors, and pets.
If you have seniors or kids at home, you can choose a top-fill humidifier that is easy to refill for anyone.
Also, it should operate noise free, especially when you want it to run the whole night in your baby’s room.
5- Is It Affordable for Your Pocket –
The humidifier you choose should not only be affordably priced, but also it should be easy on your pocket while running.
The power consumption of the humidifier should not be too high so that you can save on your electricity bills month after month, even when you run it for the whole day.
Also, ensure that the humidifier you choose needs less maintenance and is easy to clean. This will save you time and energy in the long run.
I recommend going with an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier (rather than a warm mist vaporizer) as it is much more energy-efficient, affordable, and low on maintenance.
The Conclusion
Yes, it is definitely safe to use a humidifier to help with dust and pet dander. In fact, it’s one of the most effective ways to reduce these particles in the air.
When combined with an air purifier, a humidifier can be even more robust.
But because humidifiers can also lead to the growth of mold, it’s important that you keep an eye on the humidity level in your room.
The ideal humidity level is between 30-50%. If you start to notice any mold growth due to increased humidity, be sure to clean it ASAP.
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.