This winter, amidst all the COVID-19 panic, there’s an added pressure to keep colds and coughs away. A hint of a runny or stuffy nose means no school for days. So as the chilly weather sets in, I’m stocking up with an artillery of ways to combat those pesky colds, with my trusty Vaporiser leading the pack.

One of the worst symptoms of a cold is a blocked, bunged up nose. It makes your head go all fuzzy, you can’t breathe properly and even the most delicious meals taste like cardboard (I’m a foodie so this is just the WORST for me!). So when my young baby got her first cold, all I wanted to do was get rid of that awful congestion. She was so miserable and I felt so helpless. There’s pretty much no medicated solution for a young infant and as a new mum, I had no idea what to do.

When I burst into desperate tears at the chemist, the pharmacist suggested trying a vaporiser…and it was as if the storm clouds parted and I could finally see a way through all that thick nasal gunk.  There were a few vaporisers to pick from…but for me, there was no competition. I have amazingly clear memories of my mum putting Vicks VapoRub on my feet as a child and for me, the Vicks brand has always been synonymous with trust, soothing and comfort (it’s been around for over 110 years so they clearly know their stuff). Of course, I wanted only the very best for my bub. So I bought my first Vicks Vaporiser over eight years ago, and my home has never been without one ever since.

Vaporiser Vs Humidifier Vs Diffuser

There are a few different ‘mist’ products out there so it can be a bit confusing as to which one to pick. So let me try and ‘de-mist-ify’ it for you.

Let’s start with the Vaporiser:

A steam vaporiser is a plug-in electrical unit, which heats water and then produces a steady flow of warm, humidified air to help ease cold symptoms. A vaporiser is equipped with internal heating technology that safely boils the water and then releases it into the air as steam, creating a warm mist.

By adding moisture to the air, the vaporiser helps to ease nasal congestion and throat irritation. Dry, cold air can promote the transmission of germs so adding moisture to the air can help protect us from viruses. Dry air also makes breathing issues worse, so a vaporiser helps when the added moisture in the air reaches irritated nasal passages and lungs and eases uncomfortable respiratory symptoms. This, in turn, leads to a more restful and uninterrupted sleep.

One of the major benefits of a vaporiser is that you add inhalants for added soothing benefits. Vicks has a number of inhalant products to add to your vaporiser, such as the Vicks VapoSteam Inhalant, which releases gentle but strong, long-lasting vapours of eucalyptus & peppermint fragrances. I also like using the Vicks VapoSteam Double Strength, which provides a double-whammy of essential oils for a stronger fragrance. I add the inhalant into the vaporiser cup or directly into the water and it dissolves safely into the water. I find these soothing vapours give all-night relief from cold and cough symptoms.

I really like that the Vicks Vaporiser has been designed with family-friendly safety features such as cooler steam and an automatic shut off and also comes with a 5-year warranty for complete peace of mind.

So, what is a cool-mist Humidifier?

A cool-mist humidifier works by creating mist from cold water. This is done in a variety of ways – either through ultrasonic vibrations to release a cool mist of water into the air or using an internal wick filter and fan.

A cool-mist humidifier adds moisture to the air, just like a vaporiser. But my concern with a humidifier is that along with moisture, it can also release mould and other contaminants into the air. Because the water in a vaporiser is boiled first, the steam emitted doesn’t carry any harmful minerals or contaminants.

You also cannot add any medicated liquid or natural oil-based inhalants to the humidifier, like you can with a vaporiser.

Finally, let’s touch on a Diffuser

The main function of a diffuser is to disperse the fragrance of essential oils around a room, basically to give it a pleasant smell. There are many different varieties of diffusers that disperse a micro-fine vapour of aromatherapy oil into the air. People also use diffusers for holistic healing, including relieving tension, anxiety and stress. However, a diffuser doesn’t add moisture to the room anywhere near as effectively as a Vaporiser does.

Don’t Do Winter Without A Vaporiser

So now that you get the difference between these three devices, you’ll understand why I would never consider heading into cooler weather without my trusty Vicks Vaporiser. I even take it with me when we go on holiday, just so I’m never stuck without it. Don’t even think about heading into winter without one. Like me, I’m sure you want your kids healthy, congestion-free AND let’s be honest, to stay at school!

Do you use a vaporiser? Tell us in the comments below.

The team at Mouths of Mums is working with Vicks to bring you this article. We love that the Vicks Vaporiser has been named Trusted Brands Most Trusted Vaporiser / Humidifier Award 2 years in a row as voted by the Australian public and we can endorse this product to relieve cold and cough symptoms for the whole family. Check out the full range at vicks.fgb.com.au.

Always read the label.  Follow the directions for use.  If symptoms persist, speak to your healthcare professional.  Certain trademarks used under license from The Procter & Gamble Company or its affiliates.

Inhalant sold separately.