In this article
If you use a humidifier in your baby's room, choose cool mist. A warm-mist humidifier boils water, and the steam or a tipped-over tank can burn a curious baby or toddler. But cool mist has its own catch: because the water is never heated, bacteria and mould can grow in the tank and end up in the air. A cool-mist humidifier is only a good choice if you empty and clean it every day.
Canadian health advice is more cautious than you might expect, so it's worth knowing what it says before you buy.
Cool mist vs warm mist at a glance
| Cool mist (ultrasonic or evaporative) | Warm mist (steam) | |
|---|---|---|
| Burn risk | None from the mist | Hot water and steam can scald |
| Germs in the tank | Water isn't boiled, so daily cleaning matters | Boiling kills most microbes in the water |
| White dust | Ultrasonic models can spread minerals from tap water | Minerals stay behind as scale |
| Noise | Ultrasonic models are usually very quiet | Can bubble or hiss |
| Room temperature | No effect | Adds a little warmth |
| Best for a nursery? | Yes, if you'll clean it every day | Not where a child can reach it |
What Canadian health sources say
The sources don't all agree, and that's useful to know.
- The Canadian Paediatric Society doesn't recommend cool-mist humidifiers for colds, because of the risk of bacteria and mould in the mist. If you do use one, it says to disinfect it daily. It also doesn't recommend hot-water vaporizers, because of the risk of burns.
- HealthLink BC lists a cool-mist humidifier as one way to make a toddler with a cold more comfortable, and says cool mist is better for children than a hot steam vaporizer. It also says humidifiers need regular cleaning and disinfecting.
- Health Canada says portable humidifiers are unlikely to cause problems if you follow the manufacturer's directions, empty leftover water after each use and clean the reservoir regularly.
Put together, the message is the same: never warm mist within a child's reach, and cool mist only with a cleaning routine you'll actually keep up.
Does your baby need a humidifier at all?
A humidifier isn't a treatment for a cold. Colds have no cure and usually clear up on their own in about a week. For a stuffy nose, the Canadian Paediatric Society suggests saline drops and a suction bulb. If you're worried about your baby's breathing or feeding, call your doctor. In BC you can also call 8-1-1, and in Ontario, Health811.
Where a humidifier can help is with dry winter air. Health Canada suggests keeping indoor humidity between 30% and 50%. Below that, skin and noses dry out. Above it, mould can grow.
The easiest way to know is to measure. An inexpensive hygrometer will tell you the room's humidity, and so will a humidifier with a built-in display.
- Cold, dry winters, like Ottawa's, can drop indoor humidity below 30% once the heat is on. That's where a humidifier is most likely to help.
- Coastal BC homes can be humid enough already. If you see condensation on the inside of your windows in the morning, the room has plenty of moisture, and a humidifier will make it worse.
A daily cleaning routine that works
Always follow your humidifier's manual first, since cleaning steps and products vary by model. A routine many families can keep up:
- Every morning: empty the tank, rinse it and leave the parts to air-dry. Don't top up old water.
- Every night: fill with fresh water just before you turn it on. Distilled water means less white dust from ultrasonic models.
- Regularly: descale and disinfect the tank and base the way the manual says, and replace or clean the filter on schedule.
- If it smells musty or you can see film or slime in the tank, clean it before using it again.
If that sounds like more than you'll manage on four hours of sleep, it's fine to skip the humidifier. An unused humidifier is safer than a dirty one.
Where to put it
- On a flat, stable surface like a dresser, a few feet from the crib, so the mist doesn't settle on bedding.
- Out of reach, with the cord tucked away where your baby can't grab or pull it.
- Not pointed at the crib, walls or curtains. Damp surfaces are where mould starts.
Watch the room temperature too. Our sleep sack TOG guide covers how to dress your baby for the room.
Cool-mist humidifiers we carry
| Humidifier | Tank and runtime | Worth knowing | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maxi-Cosi Smart Humidifier | 3.8 L, up to 24 hours; rooms up to 500 sq ft | Ultrasonic cool mist. Auto-Humidity mode holds a target level, the display shows humidity and temperature, and the app sends time-to-clean reminders. Low-water shut-off and child lock. | $139.99 |
| Alacris Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier 4L | 4 L, up to 30 hours | Simple dial control. No humidity reading, so pair it with a hygrometer. | $34.99 |
| Pokitter Mt. Fuji Humidifier | Rechargeable battery, up to 26 hours on low | Small and cordless, with automatic shut-off. Handy for a small room, or for travel and visits to grandparents. | $69.99 |
Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this.
If you want the humidifier to stop at the right level on its own, the Maxi-Cosi is the one that does it. If you'd rather keep it simple, the Alacris plus a hygrometer does the job for much less. Whichever you choose, the cleaning routine matters more than the model.
Want to see them before you choose? Call our Richmond, Burnaby or Ottawa store ahead of your visit and we'll let you know which models we have on hand.
