As the colder months arrive, humidity levels decline and dry air becomes an issue in the home. The drier the air, the more at risk you are of developing nosebleeds, cracked lips, allergies, scratchy throat, or dry skin. Sometimes, it’s possible to experience uncomfortable sleep because the dry air causes breathing troubles. To avoid dealing with these annoyances, it’s best to humidify your indoor air.
Before you get started on humidifying your home, it’s best to check if the air is actually dry or not. It can be difficult to notice if you don’t typically pay attention to it, but the body can give you clues as to whether the air is dry or not. A few telltale signs include regular runny nose, itchy or dry skin, and sinus congestion. Although a humidifier increases moisture content in the home, it can cost you a pretty penny, in regards to your electric bill. So how do you economically increase the humidity of your living space? Continue reading to learn how.
Buy Some Indoor Plants
Indoor plants not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of a room, but they also add more moisture to the air via transpiration. After watering a plant, moisture travels from the roots through the leaves, which release moisture in the air and increase humidity. Most indoor plants will do the job, but jade and spider plants are among the best varieties for humidifying the air, according to horticulturists.
Leave The Shower Door Open
Taking a hot steamy shower is one of the greatest things you can do when it’s cold outside. Not only is it relaxing, but you feel surrounded by moist air that seems to help you breathe more easily. Let some of that steam make its way into the surrounding areas by leaving the shower door open while you shower. If baths are your thing, leave the door open while you soak and don’t drain the water until it’s completely cool because that moisture will add humidity to the air.
Air-Dry Your Laundry
Are dryers convenient? Absolutely, but using a dryer doesn’t increase humidity levels in the home. One easy trick to add moisture to indoor air is by drying your clothes and towels around your home. Hang them on the backs of chairs, towel racks, or hangers around the house. As they dry, the clothes will release water into the air. As a bonus, you’ll save money on your gas or electric bill, depending on what type of dryer you have.
Turn Your Vent Into A Humidifier
Get creative and use your air vents or wall heater to increase indoor humidity levels. Place a pot or bowl of water near your heat source. As the hot air passes over the water, the water will begin to evaporate and increase moisture. That’s how you create a makeshift humidifier!
Use The Power Of The Sponge
Take a break from cleaning or washing dishes because you need the sponge, or sponges, for a different reason. Sponges are excellent for absorbing moisture and retaining it for a long time. Because of this, sponges can be natural humidifiers when other alternative options are not available or possible. After wetting a sponge (large sponges work best), place it in an open bowl or plastic bag and put it in the center of a room. This will help increase humidity over the next few hours.
Cook On The Stove
This seems like something that is too simple to be true, but stovetop cooking is in fact a great way to increase humidity levels. Cooking in an oven may warm up the house, but it doesn’t generate half as much humidity as cooking on the stove does. Stovetop cooking generates water vapor that fills the air. If you’re boiling water, don’t turn on the range or hood vent because that steam will go into the house and maximize humidity.
