Can You Put Vicks Vapor Rub in a Humidifier?

Problem

• Procter & Gamble urges consumers not to directly heat up Vicks VapoRub, even placing VapoRub in boiling water. The directions "Do not heat" appear on the package label under Directions. Vicks VapoRub is flammable. Heating it in boiling water, an open flame or a humidifier may cause a fire. However, "Nonprescription Product Therapies" points out that many humidifiers such as cold mist humidifiers do not get hot enough to heat oil.

Close Similarities

• Vicks VapoSteam and Vicks VapoRub appear in similar packaging, but only VapoSteam can be safely used in vaporizers and some Vicks humidifiers that contain a special compartment just for VapoSteam or aromatherapy oils. Both VapoSteam and VapoRub contain four active ingredients -- camphor, turpentine oil, eucalyptus and levomenthol. VapoSteam is also flammable and so must be added to cold water in a humidifier or vaporizer and not boiling water.

Cautions

• Adding any ingredient other than water to a humidifier voids humidifier warranties. Residue from VapoRub, oils or other ingredients may damage the humidifier fan. When one parent added 70 percent isopropyl alcohol to a humidifier, a newborn baby died after breathing in the fumes for two hours, notes "Nonprescription Product Therapies."

Alternative Use

• Instead of placing Vicks VapoRub in a humidifier, Procter & Gamble suggests placing 2 tsps. of VapoRub in a bowl and adding steaming hot water. Do not up heat VapoRub and water together. Boil water in a pot or kettle. Remove the kettle from heat so the water stops boiling. Never heat water and VapoRub in a microwave as this will cause the microwave to smell like VapoRub and cause food to taste odd. Sit close to the bowl and breathe in the steam for 10 to 15 minutes.