Ask TSL: Can You Recommend a Safe Humidifier for My Children?

December 26, 2009 by Alicia
Filed under Ask TSL, Buzz, Personal Care Products, Shopping Guides, Toys & Misc

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We’ve been keeping our eyes open for a warm mist humidifier made without polycarbonate plastic for quite a while and we kept coming back empty-handed. Safe Mama reported in early 2009 that her search had been unsuccessful too.

Last week our kids passed around a heavy duty cold, so I dug out our old standby Vicks humidifier. I decided to check out the type of plastic used just in case it was made with safer plastic by some off chance. I was surprised to find the recycling code #2 (HDPE) on the white base and #5 (polypropylene) on the blue outer and black inner pieces. All this time I had a great option sitting in my linen closet and didn’t even know it!

You can find the Vicks Warm Steam Humidifier at Drugstore.com for about $16.00. There appears to be several other brands with options like Vicks, so we’ll be checking into them and publishing a full list of BPA-free humidifiers soon.

UPDATE 1/20/10: If you’re looking for a cool mist humidifier, we just confirmed that all Crane humidifiers are BPA, PVC and phthalate-free.

The GermGuardian H3010 Digital Ultrasonic Humidifier is BPA, PVC and phthalate-free (all humidifiers have a PVC wrapped cord).

Tags: BPA Free, Crane, GermGuardian H3010, Non-polycarbonate, Safe Humidifiers, Vicks

Condo Blues

I just bought an Idylis BPA free humidifier. It doesn't say if it's PVC free though. I knew to look for a BPA free model because of this post. Thanks Alicia!

sara

I contacted Air-O-Swiss and they told me that all of their humidifers have always been bpa and pvc free!! They make a great product with warm air option, filter and ionic stick to keep the water clean

Lisa | Baby Signing

Awesome blog. It's fantastic to see that people are being educated about BPA's and PVC in products that are being retailed to our children. We have been very careful avoiding these products. Having a scientific background it's second nature for me to check out things thoroughly, as do you do here. Keep up the good work.

Alicia

Thanks so much, Lisa! It's really great to meet you and I'll look forward to connecting with you again.

BTW, love your website - my nephews have learned how to sign, and it's just amazing to see them communicate without even being able to speak!

Ultrasonic humidifier

Vicks 1.5 Gallon Vaporizer is the best value for money can buy. It just requires a bit of patience when cleaning it. The more often you clean it, the faster the deposits dissolve.

boo

We have a Germ Guardian Digital H-3010. Any idea what it's made of?

Alicia

No, haven't heard of the Germ Guardian, but would be happy to add it to our list! Thanks so much for the suggestion.

Alicia

Hi Boo,

We just heard back from Germ Guardian and the Digital H-3010 is BPA-free! The housing and water tank are made from ABS, not polycarbonate - so you're good to go!

We also found out that the only PVC (and thus phthalates) is in the electrical cord.

JenB

We had the froggie humidifier with my daughter and it's great if you don't have hard water or possibly if you clean it every day. Being sleep deprived, I didn't keep up with cleaning it after each day it after a month the mineral deposits rendered it useless. I tried cleaning it with vinegar at that point but it was too late, couldn't get the deposits off enough for it to work again. Great product, just need to keep up with cleaning it if you have hard water.