Have you heard about people putting hydrogen peroxide in their humidifiers
It sounds harmless. After all, most of us grew up with that familiar brown bottle in our medicine cabinet
But this simple idea has turned into a surprisingly big controversy. Some people say inhaling diluted hydrogen peroxide helps with congestion
coughs, or even viral infections. Others believe it disinfects the air or keeps the humidifier cleaner
But here's what experts want you to know. Inhaling hydrogen peroxide mist, even at low concentrations, can irritate or damage delicate lung tissue
Home humidifiers also can't produce the controlled vapor needed for safe disinfection
And adding it directly to the tank can corrode parts of the machine over time
Alternative health advocates still believe it's helpful and point to personal success stories
but medical professionals say the risks usually outweigh the benefits. If you want to clean your humidifier, use safer methods like vinegar or proper disassembly and rinsing
And if you're thinking about inhaling anything beyond plain water vapor, make sure you talk to a medical professional first
Hydrogen peroxide is great in your first aid kit, but it doesn't belong in your humidifier