I could really use help on this one. I live in the northeast. When the heat is on I dry out like a brick. Because of this we bought a good humidifier last year by Air-O-Swiss to help add some moisture back in. Well, now there is a fine, white misty film everywhere. It shows up most on and around the television (but not on computer screen). It also covers the air purifier in the bedroom. Less noticeable (but still present) on furniture, etc.
I just got new eye glasses, and in the morning I need to polish the lenses because they are misty. Today I was wrapping a gift and when I pulled out my box of bows from the closet, they were shaded with the mist.
What the heck is this stuff? Any ideas??
I bought mold kits from home depot but haven't used them yet. Wondering if I need a professional to assess. But I want to find someone good; not a rip off.
Also, we just got back from vacation, and as ALWAYS I feel worse when I get home. What the heck? Is it the NJ air? My neighborhood? My house? (I did get really sick right after moving into this house 15 years ago, but we did a lot of renovations early on and never found anything of concern or out of the ordinary.)
I am so frustrated by every angle of confusion. Any suggestions you could offer would be appreciated.
Thanks, Tammy
Posted by pepperspeck (Member # 18837) on :
I remember my mom (also in NJ) having the same thing happen. (with the humidifier) I wondered at the time if it was the harness/softness of her water...like how if she would let water boil in a pot, there would be the white ring left. Just a thought..hope someone else has an idea for you.
Posted by momlyme (Member # 27775) on :
Are you using water from the tap?
I would look at the analysis for your town water... that may explain what it is.
If you are not feeling well on top of the visible 'mist' -- you may be putting poisons into the air in a mist! I would shut it off until you are sure of the toxin content of the water you are using.
How about using distilled water or getting reverse osmosis water purification?
Posted by D Bergy (Member # 9984) on :
It is probably calcium or another mineral that is in the tap water. Distilled water would not have the same effect, if it is due to minerals.
There is a magnetic attraction on a tube television, and I am guessing you have that type.
Your computer screen is an LCD type, which does not have the magnetic effect.
Have your water tested, and you will be able to see what it has in it.
Mold would not normally grow on a television screen. It is probably not a health concern, but if you have city water, fluoride would be airborne also.
Dan
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
Tammy N., I think you should read this!!!
Minerals can also be released in the mist and settle as fine white dust
[ 02-08-2011, 08:24 PM: Message edited by: steve1906 ]
Posted by Nutmeg (Member # 7250) on :
It's mineral dust from your water. The water evaporates as the mist falls on surfaces and leaves the minerals behind.
The box or directions from the humidifier should mention this.
You could use distilled water instead of tap water. It's not harmful, just annoying.
Nutmeg
Posted by 17hens (Member # 23747) on :
"I bought mold kits from home depot but haven't used them yet."
Tammy, return them. Hubby's cousin is a mold inspector and says these are total junk. Use the money to go back on vacation...
I agree with everyone else, it's most likely minerals from the water evaporating into the air and then settling. No worries.
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
I think you might be able to use water that has been filtered through a Brita filter.
I use this for my tea pot and the drip coffee maker, and have no more problems with mineral build up on them.
Or buy a jug of distilled water at the store.
Carol
Posted by elizzza811 (Member # 24713) on :
Minerals in the water may be responsible, but take it a step further...
...If the house seems dustier than it used to be, it may not be a reflection on your housekeeping skills. The amount of dust in the Earth's atmosphere has doubled over the last century, according to a new study; and the dramatic increase is influencing climate and ecology around the world..."
In fact, why not take it another step further by asking what's changed within the last century to increase the dust in earth's atmosphere?...(think about how much dustier a TV gets, as opposed to a dining room table)...
Historical evidence that electrification caused the 20th century epidemic of "diseases of civilization": http://tinyurl.com/2akvdmg Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Read the instructions that came with your humidifier or contact the company if you have lost them. I have the same humidifier.
That brand is not supposed to leave that white mist, which is coming from the minerals in the water. It means one of two things. You need to clean the humidifier following their instructions and using the solution they provide and most probably need to replace the cartridge.
The instructions will tell you how often this needs to be done, but it needs to be done on a regular basis.
Posted by Tammy N. (Member # 26835) on :
Thanks everybody. I appreciate all of your input.
As most of you said, I think it is probably the minerals in the water (tap), plus probably some of the chlorine and fluoride. I have to figure out a cost-effective way of getting distilled water. It's a large tank that we fill every night, probably about 3 gallons or so.
I can't manage without it right now. I am just too dried out. My doc thinks I am clinically dehydrated. Just started taking Himalayan sea salt morning and night to see if that helps a bit.
Thanks again, friends. Tammy
Posted by Tammy N. (Member # 26835) on :
Abx - just saw your post now. Thanks, I will pull out the box from the attic and go through the instructions.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
We had this problem. We have a finished attic bedroom and had the fan of the air conditioner/heater set to be on all the time for air circulation. When we changed the setting to "auto" instead of "on", the problem stopped.
In our case, it didn't have to do with a humidifier because we don't have one upstairs. We do have one for the rest of the house, but we only had this problem for the unit that is in the attic.
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