Customer Reviews

ProTec PC-1 Humidifier Tank Cleaning Cartridge (Pack of 2)

5 star:		(52)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

I'm a medical professional and Mom of 3 kids. I researched this product extensively before using it. I thought I would share what I found: A clinical study was conducted in 2006, which showed this product was extremely effective at killing germs and mold in humidifiers (Journal of Water and Health, vol 4.2, 2006). Also, it's shown to be very safe and 100% natural (based on natural silver technology...the active ingredient in the cartridge is actually used in many drinking water filters found at the "big box" stores.) One point to mention: it doesn't remove minerals. If you get stains in your humidifier from iron in your water you'll need a demineralization product for that (or use filtered or distilled water). I use it and highly recommend it.

After paying well over a hundred dollars for a humidifier, I got so tired of the sloppy job of cleaning slime out of it that I was almost ready to throw the thing away. After replacing its $15.00 filters (every 3 months) that seem to do about nothing, it didn't seem worth the cost and effort to keep it operating. The unit's instructions advised me not to use any additives but just clean the thing about every filling and keep replacing those filters as directed. So, since I was going to throw the thing out anyway, I tried one of these cartridges.

It worked. It's been about a month, and the slime is starting to come back, but that's supposed to be the effective life of the cartridge. The humidifier survives. I still have to clean it, but the task is now infrequent and easier.

So, it does what it's supposed to do; does it for as long as it's supposed to do it; hasn't harmed the over-priced humidifier; and is good for the environment as long as it keeps this humidifier out of a landfill.

The cartridge costs about $5 and last only 20 days before the filter and the cartridge starting reek. However, I found that Holmes Bacteriastat cost
about $7 and could last for a season and it also extended the life of the filter.

My suggestion is to buy the Bacteriastat.

At the end of the winter season when most of us use a humidifier, we must face the daunting task of cleaning the humidifier before storing it (until next winter).

If you have been conscientious about using a water anti-bacterial additive once a week, then the end of the season cleaning job will not be "too" bad. If not, well, this chore will be more demanding and time-consuming.

This is the first year I have used this product. It is a plastic cage that holds chemicals which promise to keep your humidifier clean. You simply put this thing in your humidifier water tank and the miracle happens. The manufacturer recommends replacing it every month or so. I bought two for our 4 month humidifier/winter season. That seems adequate.

This item looks like something we used to put in our dishwasher to keep the water from spotting... although I am sure the chemicals inside this thing are different.

Anyway, you want to know if it works and is it worth the price.

Yes it works. My humidifier IS cleaner than what it would be without it. Is it worth the price? That depends on the value you put on your time and how hard you are willing to work at the end of the humidifier season to the task of cleaning your humidifier before storing it. I think this "ProTec" product will make the job of cleaning your humidifier very fast and easy. Is that worth $10? That is up to you. What makes this a good investment is knowing your humidifier is being KEPT clean during the months you are using it.

Would I buy this "ProTec PC cleaning cartridge" next year? Yes, I would.

These work great. I find I don't have to change the filter or clean the humidifier as often as I do without using one of these. I feel they are worth it.

I went through a LOT of expensive filters before I found these little gems. I was doubtful at first if they would help, but after I put them in all three of my humidifiers, every single one now goes much longer without me having to replace the filter. Definitely worth the cost.

Works as advertised from my experience.

This product will not fit if you have a vornado humidifier or planning to buy one. The cartridge has a shape of a ball about an inch. The tank for the vornado has a very small opening. If only I knew, I wouldn't have purchased one. I just gave the cartridge to a friend and she said it works great.

I'm a medical professional and Mom of 3 kids. I researched this product extensively before using it. I thought I would share what I found: A clinical study was conducted in 2006, which showed this product was extremely effective at killing germs and mold (aka "slime") in humidifiers (Journal of Water and Health, vol 4.2, 2006). Also, it's shown to be very safe and 100% natural (based on natural silver technology...the active ingredient in the cartridge is actually used in many drinking water filters found at the "big box" stores.) One point to mention: it doesn't remove minerals. If you get stains in your humidifier from iron in your water you'll need a demineralization product for that (or use distilled water). This product does what it claims. We use it at home and I highly recommend it.

We've been using these for the last two years in my dad's Vicks humidifier (that we connect to a mask that goes around his tracheostomy). Since he has an open tracheostomy, it's important to us that the moisture remains clean. So far so good - no sign of green mold in the humidifier in the years we use it. We do change the clearning cartirdige every 4-6 weeks and we protect the bulk of the humidifier from sunlight so that may be helping to prevent bacterial or fungal growth.

This is a great product! I was always tired of constantly cleaning our humidifiers with noxious bleach...even with the regular cleanings with bleach I noticed a slimy film on the inside of the humidifier within a week. This product just drops into the tank of any of our humidifiers so it's easy to use and I know it works since there's no more slimy film and the humidifier tank stays clean.

all mom's should have this.