Review on AIRCARE MAF2 Replacement Wicking Humidifier by Terrance Duncan

I really don't understand how most people write such bad reviews about products that have nothing to do with the product itself. Wrong size? You may have bought the wrong filter. Don't like the price? Before you buy a humidifier, you should look at replacement filters. Not satisfied with the seller? Give them a bad rating, don't tell me about it here unless you list the exact seller so I can avoid them. We've had our humidifier for a few years now and live practically on the Canadian border. Ambient temperature last night was -1F (last year it was -10F this time). At these temperatures, the air is very dry and I fill our humidifier about every 6 hours. I have also tried many different filters, mineral supplements and how to clean them. Our water is also quite hard. So here is my take on these filters: Get a branded filter from Aircare, nothing else will do. The Aircare filter, as some reviewers noted, is odorless and ideal for the devices it was designed for. Maybe some sellers pass cheap filters off as Aircare filters, I bought mine direct from Revain. Yes, they can be a little chewy when dry and packed, but that's okay. Install dry or pre-soaked, either way it works and installation is just as easy. I have also purchased various filters from Home Depot and homedepot.com. Again, unless it's an Aircare brand (which our local stores don't have), they're junk and won't last more than a couple of weeks, even with the tips I've listed below. The best advice I can give other than using an Aircare brand filter is: 1) Don't let the filter dry out. I've found that when the minerals in the filter dry out, it doesn't readily absorb water. Don't let your humidifier run out of water. Cheap filters are even worse. 2) If your filter starts to accumulate minerals, soak it in water and white vinegar. The sooner you do this the better, and it really works. I have to take pictures to show it but I'm too lazy. Cleaning cheap filters doesn't seem to work that well at Aircare. I've tried other vinegars but don't think they work as well, so use white vinegar instead. 3) Mineral supplements help, but I'm not sure they justify the extra cost and in my experience they don't work very well. They also make the bottom shell slimy and I never found out what the substance was or if it was safe. I tried the supplement with a cheap filter but it only lasted a couple of weeks. I only use hot water to fill the reservoir because I've read that a hot water reservoir can help remove minerals. Doesn't make much sense, but why not try it? I also turn the filter over from time to time or clean it with white vinegar. Some of these tips aren't exactly backed up, but there's no harm in trying. Perhaps someone else can confirm some of these ideas.