Where the Mrs.? Dryness is a real problem in apartments in the winter, and we have seen humidifiers go through gallons of water a day without denting the problem. And they can become such a burden to fill, that we forget after awhile. We've been in apartments where we get nosebleeds from the constant dryness....
So when we recieved a tip that the Mr. Misty really works, we went to check it out. Here's the stats:
1. In winter, the indoor RH can get as low as 10%
2. 7 million portable humidifiers are sold in the U.S. alone every year...
3. We are most comfortable at a Relative Humidity (RH) of at least 30%
Mr. Misty:
4. Introduces a small, steady, highly atomized, cold steam-like moisture to your shower enclosure
5. Uses about a penny's worth of water every twelve hours
6. Humidifies up to 2260 sq. ft.
7. Uses only uses only clean, germ-free, drinkable fresh water
8. Costs only $30
Amy says she loves it, and we have to admit that it really makes perfect sense. And we can't find anything on the web that pans it. It is alot cheaper than the $200 Venta Airwasher, that's for sure. (Thanks, Amy!) MGR
my two cents -- this is FANTASTIC. i love it.
file under: "if it sounds to good to be true..." or under, "learn from my mistake." this fixture just releases a fine spray of mist into the air of your bathroom, eventually coating all bathroom surfaces in a coat of water. i did not realize any discernible increase in apartment humidity or comfort (two story, 1100 sq feet). and worse yet, it causes water damage to the paint in your bathroom. it's really just leaving your shower on at all times. i'd have to recommend joining the throngs buying a real humidifier every year, or attaching one to your furnace--a larger up-front cost but maintenance, worry, and replacement-free.
How does the mist get from your bathroom into the rest of your apartment? Many NYC bathrooms (especially new construction) have an air return specifically to suck up that lovely bathroom air. So how much mist could possibly make it out to humidify the rest of your cubic footage?
This gets the thumbs down from me as well. Moving into a forced-air flat, winter dryness was a major issue, but this only succeeded in making my shower a mildew breeding ground. I saw this in the Sky Mall catalog, and figured I'd give it a try. I finally removed it when the humidity didn't change at all (per the humidity sensor I got at Walgreens), and my friends reported a "yicky" smell emanating from the bathroom. Now I've got a small ultrasonic unit that works more effectively, but needs a thorough cleaning every couple of days to prevent mildew and bacteria. It's better than nothing, and definitely better than the mister.
For 7.clean, germ-free, drinkable water
I use a water filter on my showerhead.
I was excited when I first read about this here, but now it seems it's not so great afterall, based on the reviews here and at amazon.
I've taken to simmering a pot of water on the stove when I'm home. It makes a difference.
I have aluminum baking tins on all of my radiators filled with water. It slowely humidifies the room and is easy and cheap.
You can also use coke cans filled with water for another cheap solution. A friend of mine had a special metal kettle that she kept on her radiator in college -- I think any kettle will do.
Plants, plants and more plants. Nature's humidifiers, as long as you keep them watered.
I love this product, but it seems that it is discontinued. I took my old one on my previous move, but left it by mistake last time that I moved. This product eliminated dry-sinus syndrome when you wake up in the morning and I was able to set downt the heater since the house felt warmer with the humidity. If any one knows where to find one of these, let me know. I've ordered from just about every company on yahoo shopping, but in a day or two, I get an email saying that they are no longer available (why they still list them on their web sites ?????)
As to the questions above, air naturally circulates through the home (hot air settling and cold air rising) Also, if you have a furnace, it sucks in the cold air, heats it and pumps out warm air.
As far as I am concerned, this is the best product out there. The only maintence required is an annual cleaning in CLR to remove any lime deposits.
Ed I just bought one from Allard's
Bell Park Pharmacy on yahoo shopping and it went through - so hopefully it will come - I am a little worried about mildew build up in the bathroom though. Do you have any hints?
To disperse the humidity from my bathroom to the rest of my home, I simply put a floor fan just outside the bathroom door, and it works great. This solves the problem of mildew in the bathroom and serves to disperse the humidity, as well.
With forced air heating in the winter, our home gets dry, <30% RH. We used to get dry noses and sick several times each season. Last year we bought a mr. misty and put hygrometers in each room to test its effectiveness. Leaving it on overnight makes a world of difference: RH rises by 5 - 20% in each room, depending upon how far away it is from the bathrooom. We don't get sick nearly as often, and there are no mildew problems, either.
Since having put up the hygrometers, we've noticed other things that work, too. For instance, the kitchen can be humidified almost as well by boiling a pot of water. Can you say spaghetti?
Where can I purchase a Mr. Misty shower head humidifier attachment?
They do/can work well but probably depend on your home/apt aerodynamics. For example, if you have a master bathroom it should in most cases keep your bedroom nice and moist at least, amd probably help out the entire dwelling. I turn mine off during the day every two or three days to dry out and prevent mold gowth. I wish I could find more of these things since I moved into a bigger house I could use a second one.
After going thru several standard type humidifiers over a 20 year period. Most std humidifiers last no more than 2 or 3 years and need daily (sometimes 2 time) fill and constant cleaning. I tried Mr Misty a couple of years ago and it works well. You must leave it on almost constantly but it brought my RH up from 10 to mid 20's in about 3 days, to almost 30 RH in about 5 days. In order for it to circulate thru a large house you msut leave all doors open. A fan pulling out the air from the bathroom helps. My house is 2 story, 2800 sq ft. Covers one floor well. Improvement throughout but I would like a second one. Like other commenters you can't find this thing. Anyone know where to find one?
i just bought mine at walgreens in pa. adivsory: i am not able to put up immediately as the directions (which are hidden within) call for plumbers teflon tape. so if you are picking one up, don't forget tape!
you have to aim it at an open bathroom door. if it is just aimed at the bathroom wall, all the moisture will condense on the wall. when i first got it, i aimed it incorrectly and wondered shy it did no good. then i aimed it at the bathroom door. humidity increased markedly in my apartment, and my skin got much less chafed. very substantial effect as measured by a hygtometer, too