Can I Put Fabric Softener in My Humidifier (5 Things To Avoid)

A humidifier is a popular appliance in many American homes, and once you have one, you begin to wonder what you can do with it. 

Since some people can add essential oils to their humidifiers for babies, questions like can I put fabric softener in my humidifier may arise. 

Using fabric softeners in a humidifier is not a good idea. Fabric softeners can cause severe breathing problems in people with respiratory problems when released in the mist. 

Besides the few drops of essential oil, a cool mist humidifier uses only water.

The chemicals used to make fabric softeners can sometimes cause a fire under certain conditions, so don’t use them in your humidifier.

It’s not only unsafe and unhealthy, but it can cause a fire as well.

This blog post will discuss why you should not add fabric softener to your humidifier, items to avoid in your humidifier, and other related questions to help you get all the essential information you need.

Table of Contents

Why People May Want To Add Fabric Softener To Their Humidifier

Many of us find adding fabric softener to a humidifier weird, but people who do so have their reasons.

Many people believe fabric softeners can help disperse moisture quickly if they add a small amount of water, but this is just a rumor, and fabric softeners don’t work like that.

Many people want to use it to freshen stale indoor air and like the scent of fabric softeners. They think it would be great if they filled their home with fragrance. 

People also want to add a Levander all-purpose cleaner (fabuloso), but it could be hazardous. 

Some customers claim to use fabric softeners to clean humidifiers. With these, the idea of using fabric softeners in your humidifier is understandable.

Can I Put Fabric Softener in My Humidifier?

No! Do not fabric a softener in a humidifier. 

Humidifiers are not designed for fabric softeners because their primary purpose is to regulate humidity levels, so all their materials will only work with water, not other chemicals. 

The fabric softener is a chemical product that gradually rusts and clogs the machine if placed in the water tank, which can cause overheating or malfunctioning.

A clogged diaphragm and wicks can result in a clogged ultrasonic unit and an evaporative unit. Fabric softener cannot be inhaled. 

The fabric softener in the water tank will enter the air and water vapor. When you breathe in air, the fabric softener will enter your lungs, airways, and other organs. 

Fabric softener is used to treat your clothes, not your body. It contains chemicals that can cause allergic reactions, headaches, and cancer. 

Many fabric softeners on the market contain methylisothiazolinone, which can cause eye irritation, skin allergies, and asthma. 

They also contain Benzyl acetate, which could cause respiratory tract irritation and pancreatic cancer. 

So it can’t be used as an air freshener. It won’t improve air quality and will cause many health hazards.

Can I Use Fabric Softener To Clean A Humidifier?

Most sources recommend using vinegar to clean humidifiers and bleach to sanitize them periodically. 

Fabric softener is not a type of cleanser. If not thoroughly rinsed after usage, it may leave some residue in the base and water tank. 

Humidifiers don’t need to be softened, and in the absence of a cleanser, you can temporarily clean them with water.

What are The Things To Avoid When Using Humidifiers?

Items that shouldn’t go into a humidifier include:

  • Air fresheners
  • Fabric softeners
  • Perfumes
  • Hard water
  • Salt
  • Bleach and vinegar (use only to clean)

What is Safe to Use in a Humidifier?

Now you know why you shouldn’t use fabric softeners in a humidifier. Only water is safe to use to make it work better.

If you’re not using a vaporizer, you should use distilled water instead of tap water. 

Some models have a medicine cup or oil tray where you can add essential oil and a few drops of perfume, but you should not add them directly to the water tank.

Read Also: Do Tide Pods Have Fabric Softener?

FAQs

Can I Put Fabric Softener In A Diffuser?

The diffusing and humidifying processes are similar; regardless of which diffuser you use, its substances are dispersed into the air. 

When fabric softener is diffused, the harmful chemicals are inhaled by you naturally, which triggers the same effects as when you use a humidifier. 

However, fabric softener isn’t the same as an essential oil, so you can’t diffuse it. When buying a humidifier to help your little one breathe, be careful about what you add to the unit.

Can you add Febreeze to your humidifier?

No. Due to the Febreeze chemical composition, you should not use air fresheners inside a humidifier. Therefore, you should avoid mixing them with the water inside the tank. 

Use the KISS rule with your appliances. If you are unsure if something should go in the humidifying unit, don’t add it, and the same is true for all other things you may have in mind.

Can I put cleaning products in a humidifier?

Use cleaning products like white vinegar, dish soap, and chlorine in your unit. 

Some people even use a mild solution of water and hydrogen peroxide. If in doubt, consult the user manual for recommendations on care and maintenance.

Remember, never mix bleach and vinegar. You have to use either one of the two products.

Can I run vinegar through a humidifier?

Never run your humidifier while there is vinegar in the tank. Anything you put in the water tank evaporates as mist, which you inhale. 

Use white vinegar to clean your humidifier tank. You cannot use it to run it.

Can I put bleach in a humidifier?

It is safe, but you can only use it to clean the tank. It can kill mold spores, allowing you to enjoy the cool, pure mist. 

However, just as with vinegar, never run a humidifier with bleach in the tank. Also, never use bleach and vinegar together.

Can I put fabric softener in my air cooler?

Yes. Add a cap-full fabric softener to the reservoir if the odor bothers you. It will not harm the pump or the media. Just be sure to use fabric softener rather than detergent.

Is it safe to put salt in a humidifier?

Do not use salt, sugar, or even commercial cleaning agents like baking soda – in your unit to keep it running. They could damage your humidifier’s filters or other components. Using such may also void the warranty.

Can I Put Fabric Softener in My Humidifier? Final Verdict

The answer is NO! The fabric softener is made with various chemicals. They are safe to use on clothes but can be harmful when inhaling them.

In fact, for your safety and your family, use only water in your unit. That way, you can always be certain that your family is breathing in pure mist.

Some sources claim that you can add lemon juice to a humidifier, but it is best only to add something if the manufacturer states that you can.

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