I borrowed a humidifier from a friend and have some questions?

The only thing I would add to the water would be some humidifier conditioner, which is available at home depot, target or similar stores.

yes, you can leave it on all night. It won’t hurt the kitties unless they knock it over. Just use water.

Change the water everyday. Dry out the room everyday if possible. Humidifiers are great for very dry climates and helping small kids with congestion. But they can also get a room pretty moldy in a week or so.

@zenvelo: i leave my windows open all the time, so mold shouldn’t be an issue. i’m hoping it’ll help with my congestion too!! why wouldn’t it help adults?

@Samantha_Rae oh, it does help adults.

If you are dealing with congestion, I think Vicks makes an additive for humidifiers.

@WestRiverrat : I think they do too but vicks products don’t always work for me… maybe i’ll give it a shot. unfortunately i think i may be chronically congested :/

@Samantha_Rae maybe your pharmacist can help you find one that works. I can’t believe Vicks would be the only one making the product.

If you don’t want to go the Vick’s route, eat something spicy. Like, really spicy.

The mucinex and benadryl combo mentioned here for me.

I would not put anything into another person’s humidifier unless it was designed for it. If it is a cool vapor ultrasonic device it is designed to operate correctly with distilled water. Additives that change the kinematic viscosity will reduce the output.
Sorry TMI. I can’t help it.

@Samantha_Rae You don’t even need to keep the windows open. Just as long as the air circulates throughout your entire home (unless it’s very small), the humidifier won’t make anything moldy.

I wouldn’t add anything to someone else’s humidifier. The water alone should be enough to help clear you up. I added Vicks to mine one time and it made me cough all night, so it wasn’t a good choice for me.