Product review (5 stars): pleated paper only way to go on essick hdc12
I too have regrettably bought the honeycomb mesh type filter that is sold as the "replacement" filter for my Essick cabinet humidifier (at the big box hardware stores )which recommends use of the HDC 12 paper filter sold here.  The honeycomb mesh ones are worthless.  They make the humidifier run all the time and hardly any water goes into the air.  They should not even be allowed to be sold.  The paper ones like I am buying here work nicely and I found if I use a little Pine Sol type cleaner 1-2 oz per water canister fillup, I do not get the mold in the tanks or on the filters and the water does not get nasty after a humidifying season.  It also gives a nice pine smell in the air and is a cheap alternative to bacteriostatic water treatments. I go thru a couple of bottles of Pine Sol generic each winter which I purchase at the dollar store.