Customer Reviews

Protec WF2 Extended Life Replacement Humidifier Filter(Pack of 3)

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I seem to remember the original instructions were to clean the filter regularly. I don't have a problem with mold or slime buildup, but see they have a product for that.

I have very hard water and so quickly get a buildup of minerals left over as the water evaporates. To remove that, I simply pour some vinegar onto the filter from the top, while it's still in the machine. As the crust starts to soften (the vinegar dissolves the crust) I pour the liquid in the bottom of the machine into the sink, lay the filter down (it will now flatten without breaking) pour some more vinegar on it (probably 2 cups, total) and let it soak until it stops bubbling. Rinse good with water and it's ready to go again. I've used the same filter for several years. It is now finally disintegrating so I'm buying a new one.

This machine is for the bedroom. I also have a much larger one, different make, same type filter, large-room size, and use the same procedure for it.

I purchase these every year for my Vicks humidifier. I have spent way beyond what the machine itself cost me on filters. Each filter lasts about a month to 6 weeks before getting moldy and stops wicking the water. I only use the humidifier for about 4 months in the Winter, which a 3 pack of filters is good for. I would use it all year if I did not have to keep replacing the filters. If someone knows a better choice of longer lasting filters, please post.
12/9/08-Too bad this is the only place I have easily found these. I cannot believe they have gone up $10 in cost since I purchased them a year ago (11/30/07)!

They fit and work as expected. Just like any other humidifier filter, they need replacing after dirt and minerals build up. These filters work just like to filter that came with the original unit.

These things don't work remotely as well as teh filter which came with my Viks unit. I would have to replace the water with the orginal filter in the morning, these filters only help lift half the water of the old ones.

I've used a humidifier that requires these for the past three winters, and really am not happy with the entire situation. These last only a month or slightly longer before needing to be replaced, so they simply are way overpriced for what they provide.

It feels like I'm getting suckered by a racket. Just out of principal, I'd much rather buy a humidifier that's higher performing and spend the extra money there rather than having to deal with ordering two packs of these per winter. They're bulky to store and it's just a hassle.

I'd like to know how long a non-extended-life pad will last. These are made with one perforated cylinder of foil (with opposing sides very poorly connected - if they are connected at all), surrounded on each side by a cylinder of perforated *paper*. I think it's just the paper that's holding the cylinder together. It will last a month if you are lucky. Don't plan on soaking it in vinegar, as it will just fall apart. I think they call this "planned obsolescence". This is obviously where they make their money, similar to ink-jet printers and their costly ink cartridges.

I purchased this filter for my Vicks V3100 home humidifier. I regularly performed operational maintenance on my humidifier, including washing the filter. Despite the maintenance the filter slowly became discolored from the natural pollutants and minerals contained in my water. The Protec Extended Life Humidifier Filter helped solve my problem.

It is inexpensive and effective only if I carefully care for the filter. To avoid frequently replacing the filter, I use a procedure that can extend the life of the filter. When the filter forms a crust, I soak it for awhile in vinegar water (usually 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water). After soaking I carefully rinse the filter several times in fresh water. Then I treat the water with Kaz KWT-8 Humidifier and Vaporizer Water Treatment.

So, after several months, I no longer have a problem with the filter or my humidifier.
I recommend this filter

This replacement filter does just the trick. I run my Vics V3100 on high every night and the filter lasts just under two months for me (the box states: "The Cool Mist Wicking Filter should be replaced about every two months, depending on use and local water hardness.") If the humidifier tank runs out of water while running, the filter will dry up completely until you add more water - I've found that this practice reduces the life of the filter.

Note: One point of confusion is how Amazon lists this item (as of 1/24/10). The title reads: "2 Filters (Pack of 3)" - actually, each box only contains 1 filter. The packaging is confusing as there's a big 2 on the top right of the box. However, if you look at the lower right corner of the box, in much smaller print you see "Contains 1 filter." So, in summary, you are ordering a total of 3 filters (1 Filter/box, Pack of 3 boxes).

I bought these filters to replace the original filter in my Vicks Cool Mist humidifier. In the winter I use my humidifier a lot (all night and often during the day). What was disappointing about these filters was that the metal reinforcements put into the filters rusted within a day of placing them in the humidifier. This made it hard to tell when the filter was worn out (and it just looks gross). I used each filter for about a month, and for ~$20 per set, they seemed too expensive for the amount of time they lasted. I also bought some Pro Tec Humidifier Tank cleaners ([...]) and they seemed to make the filter last a little longer, but, of course, didn't solve the rust problem.

This is a necessity for the humidifiers we have in our children's bedrooms. The filters can be difficult to find, so I am glad that Amazon carries them. We use the humidifiers every night and, even with cleaning the tank and using fresh water daily, the filters don't last long before mold appears (just a couple of weeks). I guess they're only supposed to last a month, but I wish they could last longer. I have tried using the humidifers without the filters, but they don't work as well.