Holmes Humidifier Bacteriostat, H1709PDQ-U

Like everyone else I have a Vornada evaporative humidifier that basically uses a wick filter that soaks up water and holds it until the fan on top sucks it and circulates it into the room. Problem is, the wick retains the water so when it's off the water on the wick is prime breeding ground for growth of bacteria mildew and other nasty stuff. I had to change my filter almost weekly!! So I put a capful of this bacteriostat for every gallon of tap water (New York city water: not particularly hard or soft) after filling up my tank. It doesn't have any noticeable smell. But wow, I have now gone about 2 months (that's 8 weeks!!) without having to change my filter and I didn't even clean my tank either just to experiment. No growth or smell nothing nasty in my dehumifier that used to require weekly filter change and clearing. Amazing... I just wanted to see how long I could go without changing/cleaning but I wouldn't recommend not cleaning for two months haha. But it looks like I can go longer...! 3/22/2014 Edit: I am still on my first set of wick filters and although it doesn't smell bad, the top 1/2 inch has now turned a bit brown. So I have gone almost FOUR months without ever cleaning the humidifier or changing the wick. Just simply putting a capful for every gallon of tap water and away I go. W.O.W. I am just flabbergasted at how well this thing works! I used to change my wick EVERY WEEK (5-7 days) with weekly cleanings. I just went 4 months, folks...

I followed a recommendation (someone's feedback/review left on the air humidifier I was was interested in) and I have to confess, it is all of what was described. It is plenty of product, it is efficient and the quality / cost ratio is quite high. The product works and your filter's life will definitely be extended (to tell the truth, I have been using one filter for the whole season and it did not go bad yet - no stain or mold, some calcium none of the products similar to this one address but still OK). I would highly recommend to buy it and abandon the product that advertiser themselves as "no mess, just drop in". Adding a cap of this to my water tank is not that cumbersome or an impossible task.

I cant really tell that this product makes my filters last longer. I think it depends on your water and if you are using distilled water (which I dont). It does cut down a lot on mold that turns the water into a green slime, but you will still get mineral deposits forming in your humidifier and filter as this product can do nothing to prevent that. So if you are using fairly soft water to start with, at least you are getting rid of slimy "jelly water"! and only have to worry about a little bit of mineral deposits. If you can afford to use distilled water in your humidifier, plus this stuff, then I can see a big change in the frequency of cleaning and filter changing. That would be the ideal way to go. Using tap water, I do notice that the air smells better. No "musty" smell, the air smells fresh and clean. So, I do recommend this product, but dont expect too much if you have hard water. And you will still need to clean your humidifier regularly depending on the amount of disolved solids in your water.

The unit works fine but it is very loud even on the low setting. This is what happens when you buy online without checking them out in person.

After a great deal of research, decided to go with this product. I try to use natural cleaning materials and was very hesitant to introduce a new chemical to my home. But I realized that, even with weekly cleaning, my humidifier (Lasko 1128 Evaporative Recirculating Humidifier) would occasionally create a musty smell -- and that musty smell was some combination of bacteria and fungus. So I decided I would buy this. This has been very effective in keeping the filter clean (the filter used to only go a week, and would be badly discolored at that point - it now easily goes 2+ weeks, and others report even longer life) and I haven't had any moments where there's a musty smell. The amount of product used is tiny -- a capful (perhaps 10 ml) per every gallon (3.8 liters). One note: it seems to be a chlorine based product, and it may stain clothes when it is in direct contact (before it is diluted).

It made my 3yr old twins really sick from when it ran in their nursery. My son's breathing changed soon after I started adding this to their humidifier. Took him to urgent care and his white blood cell count was double what an adult would be if they had an infection, so waaaaay higher than normal for a child. They thought he had pneumonia and his check X-rays didn't show pneumonia, but that he was fighting off somthing really strong. Both my children slept in our room for 2 nights with no humidifier (it was in their nursery) and they felt better after 24 hours. It wasn't until tonight that I linked the cause. I went to put them both back in their nursery and I went to fill the humidifier tank again, adding 1 cap per gallon of water, placed the water container in the tub and filled the tank. I grabbed the water tank at the top where my 4 fingers dipped into the water and after 2 minutes I noticed those same fingers burning like I had my hand over a lit stove. Then I read the back of the bottle and it's nothing but poison and tells you to wear gloves when handling and don't INHALE or handle. So why would you put it in your humidifier water tank if you can't inhale it?!?! WORST EVER!!!! my fingers have been burnig for hours after dipping in vinegar to neutralize. Not worth it!!!! Too much poison in this product.

The directions call for a capful for every gallon but if you want to avoid algae you probably need five times that amount. the vast majority is inert It could be delivered in a 4 ounce bottle and it still would be mostly water but at least would not waste so much energy transporting water around when it's useless, they need to add anti foam agent into the mix because of all the bubbles it causes if you added in the beginning.