It’s not uncommon for the level of humidity to drop below 30%. Dry air causes health issues such as dry/itchy skin, nosebleeds, and cracked lips. These would lead to an uncomfortable night’s sleep and even woodwork damage. For those who already hate the cold and snow, dry indoor air can make winter even more miserable. So, we need to know how to increase humidity in a room.
Transitioning from fall to winter causes the air to become cooler. Also, the humidity naturally decreases. Many of us turn up our HVAC systems in an attempt to be warm and comfy, which adds to the problem. Although our heating system raises the temperature, it does not add extra moisture to the air.
During the winter, the relative humidity in our homes drops dramatically. The air sucks up any moisture in your home, including the moisture evaporating from your body.
What Are the Ideal Indoor Humidity Levels for Your Home?
Healthy humidity levels in your home throughout the winter should be between 30 and 40%. According to Therma-stor, humidity levels can reach up to 50% in the summer. It will assist in preventing mold, mildew, and bacteria, and the population of dust mites.
Why is it Important to Maintain the Humidity Level for Your Home?
Throughout the year, the humidity in your air is a significant aspect of your health. Dry air in the home aggravates respiratory problems. It increases your chances of getting a cold or the flu.
A steady humidity level is also helpful for hardwood floors. The boards will inflate higher humidity levels and constrict lower humidity levels.
Why is the Humidity in My House so Low in the Winter?
The central heating system draws and warms outside air. Then it delivers it across the ducts when you raise the thermostat in your house. Warmth causes things to expand, and the air is no different. Returning to physics 101, warmth causes things to expand. Water molecules expand as heated air expands. It lowers the relative humidity of the surrounding environment.
It’s worth noting that absolute humidity does not change in the winter. The amount of water vapor in the outside air is equal to that in the indoor air. As a result of the lower relative humidity, the indoor air feels dryer.
Now for the millions dollar question:
How to Increase Humidity in a Room?
As a result, we’ve made an effort to incorporate a list of techniques. These ways will help improve your home’s humidity levels. Some of our recommendations will need minor changes to your daily household habits! Let’s get this party started.
Use a humidifier for a large room
A large central humidifier is the most efficient way to humidify your home while simultaneously benefiting your indoor plants (if you have indoor plants). Make sure it is powerful enough to cover the entire area of your home or the room where you need to add humidity. Many customers buy little humidifiers that are incapable of humidifying large rooms. This mistake leaves them unsatisfied with their buy—don’t make this mistake.
Leave the bathroom door open while taking a bath
Yes, we all prefer our bathroom privacy. But, it’s a good idea to keep the bathroom door open while you’re in the shower to increase the humidity in your home. The evaporating water from a hot shower will distribute moisture throughout your home.
Place water-filled pots or bowls near a heat source
When we heat water, it turns into vapor and evaporates. Place a ceramic or metallic basin of water close to your radiator if you have one. The way it releases water will astound you. If you don’t have access to a radiator, you can position the bowl of water near a heat source. The same logic applies even if the bowl is not directly on the heat source.
You may want to ask, What if I do not have a radiator? You can place bowls of water near a window or throughout the room.
This technique employs heat to help water evaporate. Instead of requiring heat from a stove or radiator, this method takes advantage of the sun’s heat. Fill your ceramic bowl with water and place it on the window sill on bright days. Allow sunshine to penetrate and heat the water by leaving the curtains open.
Besides setting them on your window sill, you can arrange the bowls about the room you want to humidify. It will function as well, albeit at a slower rate.
Dampen your curtains
Another fantastic approach to increase indoor humidity is to spray your curtains. Dampen the curtains using a spray bottle. If you don’t have a spray bottle, evenly sprinkle water over the curtain with your hand. The curtains must be under the sunlight for this to work. It will help the water in the room evaporate faster. You can open the windows and open the curtains to let the fresh air in.
Leave your dishes on your dishwashers and let them air-dry
Dishwashers use a lot of water and more energy. Open the dishwasher door after the last rinse cycle and let your dishes air-dry instead. It will save energy while also adding much-needed moisture to the air. The warm air will dissipate throughout your home. If you wash your dishes by hand in the sink, you can also do this.
*NOTE: Be more cautious if you have small children.
Plants are a great way to freshen up a room
Through a process called transpiration, houseplants can help bring humidity to your environment. Plants use their roots to draw water from the earth. It subsequently distributes it to the stems and leaves of the plants. As the water reaches their leaves, plants release moisture into the air. Remember to water the plants regularly, or the process will fail (the plants will die!).
Dry your clothes on a drying rack indoors
Do you usually dry your clothes in the dryer? Instead, place a drying rack in a room or living area that you need to humidify. The moisture from your garments will escape into the air as they dry, raising the humidity levels. Drying racks are inexpensive and foldable, making them simple to store when not in use. It might take a little longer than using the dryer. But, keep in mind that this natural strategy will help you save money on your electric bill.
Invest in an indoor fountain
It may appear to be an expensive option at first glance. But there are plenty of inexpensive ones that can keep your home damp all winter long. Many fountains work by recycling the same water. This constant running supply keeps the room cold for long periods.
Use a sponge humidifier
Using a sponge is another way on how to increase humidity without humidifiers. To begin, soak the sponge for a few minutes in water. Squeeze the sponge to get rid of any excess water. Using a plastic bag, cover the sponge. Make small holes in the plastic bag and place it in the humidifying room. Depending on the size of the space, you may need more than one sponge to get the desired humidity.
Boil water and cook on the stovetop
Make use of the moisture released by cooking on your stovetop to boost humidity. Try making meals like rice, pasta, or potatoes using hot water when you’re cooking. When water boils, some of it evaporates into the air, increasing the amount of moisture in the region. You can make minor modifications, such as using a tea kettle to reheat your cup instead of the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to increase humidity without humidifiers?
Humidifiers are without a doubt the most excellent way to increase indoor humidity. But, what if you don’t have any available? Aside from the suggestions listed above, you can also use Rock salt or DampRid. You can also use Dri-Z-Air, baking soda, and silica gel desiccants as options. Other options include using a fan, air conditioner, or space heater.
How do you know if your house is too dry?
It can be challenging to tell if your indoor air is too dry without a hygrometer. But, most homeowners are aware of the signs of dry air long before they realize they have one. If you notice that dry skin and lips, this could signify that the air in your home is deficient in moisture. Your skin is consists of water, so it will begin to dry out if there isn’t enough humidity in your environment.
Low-moisture air causes your body to lose water. The dryness of your nasal passages is because of breathing in low-humidity air. As a result, your body will produce extra mucus to compensate. It potentially results in a stuffy nose. Nosebleeds can occur when the inside of your nose becomes excessively dry. If you experience regular nosebleeds at home, it’s a sign that the air in your home is too dry.
Do indoor plants increase indoor humidity?
Because they breathe and photosynthesize, most houseplants increase humidity. While preparing their food, they absorb water. They also produce a greater amount of water vapor. If you have a lot of houseplants, the room where you put them will quickly become damp.
Final Word
Low humidity can harm you and your family’s health in various ways. Don’t worry! There are several practical techniques on how to increase humidity in a room. These pointers will make you feel more at ease.
After reading this post, you should no longer wonder how to humidify a room. Avoiding the symptoms of a dry atmosphere throughout the winter shouldn’t be tricky. That is if you use some of these clever tactics.
I love the dishwasher trick and also taking a hot shower and letting the steam fill the surrounding areas. Having tons of plants certainly helps make a more humid jungle environment. I find that spraying my plants with water periodically throughout the day during cold, dry winter months helps keep them humid. I haven’t thought about spraying my curtains though! I used to live in a very humid environment and everything got moldy, so I would not want to risk getting moldy curtains there!