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” When the air is extremely dry, it can make an already painful sore throat feel that much worse. A humidifier is the perfect tool to add moisture back into the room and help alleviate some of the pain. But if you’re talking about the dreaded summer cold when the humidity is already high, a humidifier will not help.”

Everyone knows the feeling of waking up with a sore throat. And to be honest there are very few quick remedies that can make a big difference when you do have a sore throat.

There are some decent sore throat lozenges like the Mucinex and the Vicks brands that provide that ultra cool feeling on your throat but they are not all that long lasting and they do nothing to help at the root of it. And you don’t want to fall asleep with a throat lozenge in your mouth. Or you might end up waking up choking on it.

Drinking a lot of liquids ( coffee and Coke not included) and gargling with warm salt water also have a calming effect on a sore throat. And staying hydrated is absolutely the best policy to get you out of your sickbed quicker.

But the one thing that can exacerbate a sore throat more than any other and in turn help you when you do have a sore throat is maintaining the proper humidity in the room.

Is a Humidifier Good for a Sore Throat?

Humidity levels in the house have a great deal to do with how dry your throat can feel. And though most throat issues are caused by a virus and there’s not a whole lot you can do besides wait it out.

If the humidity in your house is excessively low, it is going to have a compounding effect on your sore throat which will make it more painful. And since sore throat often accompanies nasal congestion, it follows that you tend to breathe through your mouth more which is only drying out your throat further.

Most professionals including the national library of science say that keeping the humidity level at between 40 and 60% in the home is the optimal level for keeping winter related symptoms at Bay.

“The humidifier is the perfect tool for adding humidity back into a room that is lacking the level of humidity that is required to keep viruses from spreading easier and to provide essential moisture for your nasal passages and throat.”

And humidifiers have become pretty sophisticated devices over the last few years that include hygrometers to be able to measure your own humidity as well as give you the option of using cool or warm mist as well as doubling as aromatherapy diffusers.

And when they are performing in a diffuser mode, there are essential oils like eucalyptus they can also have a clearing effect and offer some relief for a sore throat.

But the humidifier is definitely not the answer in every situation. For instance, everyone is familiar with the dreaded summer cold as well. And most of the time, adding extra humidity to the room in the summer is not the solution since the humidity levels in summer typically range above what would be considered the optimal humidity of 40 to 60% indoors.

At that point, it makes zero sense to try to relieve a sore throat by turning on a humidifier.

Can a humidifier give you a sore throat?

A humidifier can actually give you a sore throat and here’s why.

Humidifiers have to be cleaned often. When they are not well maintained, they can easily become a perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria.

Anytime that a humidifier is left with standing water in it, it can begin to accumulate mold and bacteria in as little as 48 hours.

Imagine turning the humidifier on after it has had standing water in it for an extended time. At that point, it has basically become a distributor of bacteria into your airstream.

And the symptoms of moldy air on your health look suspiciously like the symptoms of the flu. Sore throat, headaches, sneezing, runny nose, etc.

A dirty humidifier can account for the reason you are having a sore throat in the first place.

There are a few humidifiers and humidifier products that are made to hinder the production of bacteria.

On the subject of Moldy air, humidifiers are not the only source of mold and bacteria that can affect your breathing and cause you to have cold-like symptoms.

The HVAC system (Central heating and Air) is also famous for being a distributor of bacteria throughout the house. Persistent mold allergy symptoms like sore throat and headaches can often be traced back to a dirty heating and Air system.

Most HVAC supplies offer induct air purifiers that are placed inside of your ductwork and have a high kill rate for mold.

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Evaporative coolers or also known for being a huge breeding ground for bacteria and mold. These machines operate by basically blowing a fan across water to cool the air.

Just like humidifiers, they have the propensity to collect standing water from time to time and must be cleaned often to avoid blowing moldy Misty air into your home.

There are also products you can put into your evaporative coolers to help prevent bacteria from growing.

Summary: Sore throat humidifier. Good idea or not?

Though a sore throat is usually not the direct result of having dry air, dry air can definitely have a compounding effect on how a sore throat feels.

Waking up with a sore throat is often accompanied with other symptoms like congestion that lead you to breathing through your mouth.
Dry air in the room can make a sore throat that much more painful.

When the humidity in the air is low, a humidifier can be a great tool to add humidity back into the air and help relieve some of the pain of having a sore throat.

But if we are talking about a sore throat in the summer when the humidity is typically too high, the humidifier is not the answer to sore throat relief.

Many people have complained about getting a sore throat as a result of running a humidifier.

And yes, even though a humidifier can be a great relief to you when you have a sore throat and they can conditions are dry,

Humidifiers have a huge disadvantage in that they have to be cleaned very often.

Running a humidifier that has had standing water left in it can actually introduce mold and bacteria into the air which can cause symptoms very similar to the flu including sore throat, sneezing, and headaches.

Which all is directly and indirectly the result of poor air quality.

Poor air quality can be the result of an unmaintained humidifier but it can be the result of other circumstances including dirty HVAC ducts and evaporative air conditioning which has the same type of mechanics as a humidifier and needs to be cleaned very well and often.

Humidifiers can do wonders for your fitness by keeping the air in your house moist and at ease.

It’s instrumental in winter when dry air can cause breathing issues, skin irritations, and static strength. A humidifier can also assist you to sleep higher by reducing loud night breathing and congestion.

There are a few matters to maintain in mind when choosing a humidifier. The best way to know everything is to take guidance, or you can also find a counselor UK. First, decide what sort of humidifier you need.

There are both heat mist and cool mist options to be had. Heat mist humidifiers use boiling water to create steam, that’s then released into the air. Cool mist humidifiers use ultrasonic era to generate a pleasant mist dispersed into the air.

Next, consider the size of the unit. If you have a large home, you will need a larger humidifier. Conversely, a small unit will be sufficient for a smaller space.

Finally, consider any special features you may want in a humidifier. Some units come with filters to remove impurities from the water, while others have built-in humidistats to help maintain the ideal humidity level in your home.

Humidifiers are an important part of keeping your home healthy and comfortable. Adding moisture to the air can help relieve various ailments, including dry skin, sinus problems, and respiratory issues.

And humidifiers also greatly benefit your sleep beyond just making you feel better. Here are ways a humidifier can improve your sleep quality and overall health:

Relieve Dry Skin:

A humidifier can be a lifesaver if you be afflicted by dry skin. The more moisture inside the air will assist in hydrating your skin and prevent it from becoming angry or cracked. It’s particularly beneficial in wintry weather when the air is dry.

Prevent Nosebleeds:

Nosebleeds are often caused by dryness in the nasal passages. A humidifier can help to prevent this by keeping the air moist and reducing the risk of nosebleeds. Dry air can cause your nasal passages to become irritated and lead to nosebleeds. By adding moisture to the air, a humidifier can help prevent these nosebleeds from occurring.

Reduce Snoring:

If you or your partner snores, a humidifier can help. The air’s moisture will help keep the throat lubricated and reduce irritation. It can lead to quieter nights for everyone involved!

Soothe Sinuses:

Dry air can cause sinus problems like congestion, headaches, and even nosebleeds. Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier can help to soothe these symptoms and provide relief.

Prevent Colds and Flu:

Humidifiers can also help to prevent colds and flu by keeping the air moist. It can reduce the risk of viruses spreading through the air and causing illness.

Relieve Asthma Symptoms:

People living with Asthma often find relief with a humidifier. The air’s moisture can help open up the airways and make breathing easier

Reduce Allergy Symptoms:

Like Asthma, allergies can also be improved with a humidifier. The air’s moisture will help reduce irritation and inflammation caused by dryness.

Boost Immune System:

Humidifiers can also help to boost your immune system by keeping the air moist. It can reduce the risk of illnesses like colds and flu.

Detoxify the Air:

Some humidifiers also come with features that help to detoxify the air. It can remove harmful toxins and chemicals, making the air healthier for you to breathe.

Reduce Stress Levels:

The extra moisture in the air can also help to reduce stress levels. It can lead to calm and relaxation, which can benefit your overall health.

Alleviate respiratory problems:

Humidifiers can help alleviate congestion, sinus infections, and nosebleeds by adding moisture to the air. If you have Asthma, a humidifier can help alleviate your symptoms by adding moisture to the air. The extra moisture will help thin mucus secretions, making them easier to expel.

Protect your hair:

Just like your skin, your hair can also benefit from the extra moisture in the air. Indoor heating can cause your hair to become brittle and dry, but a humidifier can help reverse these effects.

Ease congestion:

A humidifier can help ease congestion by thinning mucus secretions if you’re struggling with a cold or allergies. The extra moisture will also make it easier to breathe through your nose.

Soothe a sore throat:

Humidifiers can also help soothe a sore throat by keeping your throat moist. It is especially important if you suffer from a cold or the flu.

Improve sleep quality:

More moisture within the air can also improve your sleep by making breathing easier and stopping your skin from becoming too dry. When you have a problem sleeping, a humidifier can help. The extra moisture inside the air will assist you to breathe extra easily and make you feel greater at ease. It could cause a better nighttime sleep.

Prevent Static Electricity:

The extra moisture in the air can also help prevent static electricity from building up. It is especially important in the winter when indoor heating can make static electricity more pronounced.

Reduce dust mite allergies:

Dust mites are tiny creatures that thrive in dry environments. By adding moisture to the air, a humidifier can help reduce dust mite allergies by making their environment less hospitable.

Purify the air:

A few humidifiers come with filters that could assist purify the air by eliminating allergens and other contaminants. It may help improve your common fitness and sleep great.

Wrapping Up!

If you’re looking for ways to improve your health and sleep quality, consider using a humidifier. It can make a big difference in your respiratory health, skin health, and overall comfort level.

Humidifiers may be useful to your home, particularly all through winter. Keeping the air in your house wet and comfortable can lessen respiration problems, skin irritations, and static strength.

A humidifier can also assist you sleep better by decreasing snoring and congestion. While selecting a humidifier, consider the type, length, and special capabilities you could need. By doing so, you could locate the precise humidifier in your wishes.

What is a Thermo Hygrometer?

 

A thermo hygrometer is a gauge that combines both a thermometer and a hygrometer in one measuring device.

What is a hygrometer and what is it used to measure?

A hygrometer is a device that is used to measure the relative humidity or the amount of moisture that is in the air.

The relative humidity is given as a percentage.

Hygrometers go by quite a few different terms.

Humidity checker, humidity sensor, humidity monitor, and humidity meter are all basically the same device though some may contain extra features here and there.

Most modern hygrometers combine a thermometer in a digital format that is easy to read.

1. Hygrometer Uses

The number one use of a hygrometer is simply to give you a way to keep an eye on the relative humidity.

Why would you want to do that?

There’s a lot of reasons actually. This is by no means exhaustive.

1. Comfort

Humidity as a day to day factor affects your comfort level substantially. For instance a day that he is 80° could easily feel 100°. If the humidity outside is too high.

It also does a number on your hair.

But though comfort and stylish hair are two things we tend to value highly, the relative humidity can affect your health much more than you may have believed.

2. Health

Low humidity equals dry air and dry air can cause a whole lot of issues when it comes to respiratory and skin health.

Low humidity and dry air are usually associated with winter. And winter just happens to be the time of year when people are closed inside with the heater turned on.

It’s not exactly a coincidence that cold and flu germs spread easier during that time of year.

Humidity or the lack thereof during winter plays a big part of staying healthy during those months.

For instance

1. Low humidity dries out the mucus lining in your airways which creates a type of docking station in your sinuses for viral particles.

In other words, dry air makes it easier for germs to get stuck in your respiratory system easier.

2. Viral particles tend to decay faster in humid air.

Viruses and germs stay alive longer and dry air because moisture has a decaying effect on airborne particles.

3. And low relative humidity provides an easier path of transmission for viral particles.

When humidity droplets come in contact with airborne particles including bacteria and viruses, it makes it too heavy for the particles to float.

The result is they fall to the surface faster, giving you a lesser chance of breathing them in.

It’s amazing how just adding moisture to your air when the relative humidity has dropped,

not only keeps viruses from being able to travel as far,

it also causes them to decay much faster

and provides the right dampness inside your airways to fight off viruses.

Not to mention, the relief from the pain and irritation of having a dried out nose and throat.

The hygrometer is an easy way to keep track of the humidity level in the home during the winter to avoid excessively dry conditions that help viruses and germs prosper.

Hint: One of the symptoms of low humidity in your house is the presence of static electricity. If you find yourself getting shocked while walking and touching things in your house, check your hygrometer. The humidity has probably dropped.

3. Skin care

Humidity has a big impact on your skin.

Dry air and Dust pull the moisture out of your skin and cause it to become damaged and crack.

Dry and damaged skin allows the bacteria that causes acne to burrow deeper into the skin.

Which also causes the epidermal layer to produce an over abundance of oil, all to which adds up to an excellent breeding ground for acne.

A vicious circle.

Using a hygrometer to monitor the humidity in the air during the winter and adding moisture back into the air with the use of a humidifier,

can mean the difference in dry and broken skin versus naturally shiny and hydrated skin.

4. Dust

Humidity has a “wetting” effect on airborne particles which is to say “Dust”.

Dry air allows dust particles to flow freely through the air and be kicked up every time you walk across the floor.

But adding the proper humidity back to a room, dust particles will come in contact with humidity droplets, which will cause a type of microscopic mud that will be too heavy to float and fall out of the ambient air.

5. Allergies

Humidity can affect allergies in a couple of different ways.

Low humidity allows pollen and other household allergens to travel easier and further through your home.

High humidity creates a breeding ground for dust mites and promotes mold growth which are also common household allergens.

Hygrometers are devices to help you maintain a healthy relative humidity between 40 and 60%. Which helps keep allergens from traveling as easy and dust mites from having the nutrition they need to expand.

High humidity is also thick which can be harder to breathe.

6. Cigars and humidors

 

Hygrometers are mentioned frequently in the world of cigar aficionados.

It’s because cigars require humidity to keep them fresh in their humidors.

Though it may not be a hobby that everyone embraces,

The people that do have a very great interest in it.

Which is a good thing for the rest of us because they also have some of the best recommendations for the best hygrometers and hygrometer calibration kits.

7. Mold damage

 

Excessive humidity leads to mold growth. And mold gone unchecked can cause significant damage in your home in a very short amount of time.

Keeping an eye on your hygrometer gauge will help you know when to add more or subtract more humidity to avoid structural damage to your home.

8. Plant life

 

Plants have a hard time in the winter when the humidity drops and the heater is blasting.
Monitoring your relative humidity with a hygrometer is an excellent way to make sure your plants are getting the amount of moisture out of the air that they need to thrive.

Recap

Thermal hygrometers are an indispensable tool for your home.

The relative humidity inside of your home has so many implications and effects on your health and property that keeping tabs on the humidity is essential.

Maintaining the proper relative humidity protects your personal health and the health of your family by keeping viruses and bacteria at Bay during the dry season.

It also helps keep your skin healthy and prevents the outbreak of acne. As well as providing relief from other skin ailments like psoriasis.

Finding the right hygrometer for your home can be as easy as looking to your friendly uncle who is a cigar aficionado.

Cigar aficionados are very particular about the humidity inside of their humidors.

Which makes their product research that much more detailed.

And also makes their recommendation for hygrometers and hygrometer calibration kits hold more weight.

The humidifier is not a cure for asthma.

But maintaining proper humidity levels in your home is very important to living with, and living well when you have asthma.

As stated in a research article listed by the National Library of Medicine, “the majority of adverse health effects caused by relative humidity would be minimized by maintaining indoor levels between 40 and 60%.”

The article goes on to say that mite populations reach their maximum size when the relative humidity is at 80%. And that most species of fungi cannot grow unless the relative humidity exceeds 60%.

Conversely, as pointed out in this article” droplets and aerosols tend to stay afloat longer and travel farther and air with lower relative humidity. Virus containing aerosols, in particular, can penetrate more deeply into the lungs to increase the possibility of transmission”

“In addition, research shows viruses have the potential to live longer on surfaces in cold environments.”

The point is that the relative humidity in your home should be maintained at a level between 40 and 60% regardless.

And depending on the season and, or the climate you live in, you may very well need a humidifier. And, or a dehumidifier.

But whether you’re in a cold or hot situation right now,

The first thing you need to know is what the humidity level is in your house.

And for that you will need a hygrometer.

Hygrometers measure the humidity and show you exactly what the relative humidity in your home is.

Or if you are already in the market for a humidifier then the first feature you’ll want to be sure to include is a built-in hygrometer.

Because how will you ever know how much humidity you need to add to make your air healthier and easier to breathe if you don’t have a way to measure it.

After you have measured the humidity and found that yes, the humidity level in your home has dropped below or risen above the health and comfortability point, then it’s time to think about a humidifier.

Humidifiers come in different types and have a different range of levels of what they are capable of achieving.

And like everything else they come with the cheap version and there are also Cadillac versions.

Fortunately there are versions of humidifiers that are built for persons with asthma directly in mind.

Humidifier for Asthma

What types of features should you rank higher than others when you are in the market for a humidifier for asthma?

1. Humidistat

The humidistat will tell you what your humidity is in your home and allow you to set your humidifier to the desired humidity level you want.

Just like a thermostat that you dial in on a heater or air conditioner, a humidistat lets you dial in exactly the percentage of humidity you want in your room.

2. Secondly, you want to choose a humidifier that is germ-free.

“Germ-free” is a term used loosely here, because there is no such thing as a humidifier that doesn’t have the potential to produce mold and bacteria if it is allowed to go unmaintained.

But there are a few technologies available that can lower the risk of a humidifier becoming contaminated, and also lower the frequency that the humidifier needs cleaned.

A few options are:

a. Ultraviolet light

Ultraviolet light inside of a humidifier works the same way as putting a UV light in a fish tank or keeping one and a sterilizing container for combs and scissors works.

A UV lamp targeted directly upon the water in your humidifier will kill 99% of the germs and bacteria in the basin.

b. Antimicrobial plastic

Antimicrobial plastic is one of the coolest advancements to come along in humidifiers. It is a type of plastic that is actually resistant to fungi and mold.

It is also a great way to reduce the chance of a humidifier becoming a problem instead of a help.

c. Antibacterial additives

You can also purchase bacteria destroying additives that can be added straight to the basin of your humidifier.
Some humidifiers come with antibacterial drop in products included.

3. Combination cool mist and warm mist

Another option that you should think about including in your humidifier purchase is the capacity of the humidifier to run as either a cool mist or a warm mist humidifier.

Having the option to either use a humidifier as a warm or cool mist is a huge advancement in humidifier technologies also.

4. Larger tank size.

Humidifiers come with different tank sizes. The tank size is what determines how long you will be able to use the humidifier without refilling.

You can get humidifiers with tank sizes that last up to 60 or even more hours.

5. Whole house humidifier

A whole house humidifier, also commonly referred to as a furnace humidifier, connects directly into your duct work.

These units have a great advantage over portable units because they can produce the right relative humidity throughout your home via your already installed HVAC.

Another great advantage is the fact that there is no basin to refill with water.

They do however pose the risk of mold growth in walls and require the proper maintenance. They also have yearly replacement parts.

Summary

If you’re an asthmatic, maintaining the proper relative humidity is more important to you.

Excessively low and high humidity has consequences for everyone, but when you’re struggling with asthma, the difference in being in a room with the proper relative humidity between 40 and 60% can mean the difference in breathing or not breathing.

Humidifiers have come pretty far with advancements. There are humidifiers available these days that monitor and keep the relative humidity in your room at the optimal spot.

There are also humidifiers that have built-in cleaning methods such as ultraviolet light and antimicrobial plastics that keep the risk of mold and asthma triggering bacteria at Bay.

Humidifiers also come with many more options such as being able to use them in either cool mode or vapor mode and they also are sold large enough to be able to use them several days without refilling.

The best option however may be placing a whole house furnace humidifier that can keep the relative humidity in your entire home at the right level at all times.

How Boiling Water Works as a DIY Humidifier

To use boiling water as a humidifier, simply boil water on your stove or use an electric kettle, then carefully transfer the hot water to a heat-resistant bowl or pot. Place it in a safe location in your desired room. As the water cools and evaporates, it will add moisture to the air, acting as a simple and effective DIY humidifier.

Introduction

Did you know that you can use boiling water as a humidifier? As a kid growing up in the country of the plains of Texas, and although I didn’t know it then, I was privy to a lot of homegrown methods of getting things done, that even in my lifetime have gone to the wayside.

One of those methods that has kind of got forgotten but I remember quite well is the art of using boiling water as a DIY humidifier.

The old house that my grandparents owned had the furnace style that was kept beneath the floor and worked by sending heat into the house through metal vents that looked like a 2 x 3 grill.

I remember if you stood on it too long, it would melt your shoes.

I also remember my grandmother putting a pot of water on that furnace grill.

I didn’t know what that pot of water was nor did I have any interest in that as a kid.

But now I know she was using that pot of water as a humidifier. The furnace underneath the house was so hot that it was not only melting shoes, it was drying out the air and causing all kinds of havoc with dried out noses, throats, and lips. Putting a pot of water on the furnace was a way of offsetting the dryness in the air and relieving those symptoms.
See our full humidifier guide.

Boiling water as a DIY humidifier

is a trick that is as old as the hills you might say.

If you were to compare it to today’s humidifiers, the method of boiling water as a humidifier would be considered a vaporizer if you were to buy it at a big box store.

Vaporizers boil water to moisturize the air with steam. Boiling water on the stove is the exact same thing.

The only difference is the vaporizers usually come with some sort of medicinal additive like Vicks to help with congestion and breaking up phlegm.

Important Side Note: Boiling Water and Your Humidifier

As we explore various DIY humidifier methods, it’s crucial to clarify a common misconception. While boiling water can be used as a makeshift humidifier in the ways described above, it is not advisable to pour boiling water directly into a standard humidifier.

Humidifiers are designed to operate safely within specific parameters, and introducing boiling water can damage the unit, void warranties, and pose serious safety risks, including the potential for burns or causing the humidifier to malfunction.

Add Some Essential Oils

But there’s nothing saying that you can’t add essential oils to your boiling water and get a similar, if not better breathing effect.

Some of the most common essential oils for adding to a vaporizer, Diffuser, or a DIY humidifier are:

• Eucalyptus
• Peppermint
• Lavender
• Clove
• Rosemary
• Oregano
• Ginger

1.Eucalyptus oil

Next to putting Vicks rub all over your chest, eucalyptus oil is one of the most popular ways of combating breathing problems. It is known for its anti-inflammatory agents that help minimize respiratory flare-ups including bronchitis and asthma.

2.Peppermint oil

Peppermint is a lot like eucalyptus, it not only has a similar smell, it also has many of the antimicrobial properties that help ward off bacteria and viruses that eucalyptus oil has.

3.Lavender oil

If you ever do any research on what kind of things you can do to help you relax, lavender essential oils usually appear at the top. Lavender oil is known for its ability to reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calmness. Lavender oil is an excellent addition to your do-it-yourself humidifier.

4.Clove oil

Clover oil is another essential oil that is known for its benefits related to respiratory conditions. When inhaled, clove oil is a deterrent to allergy and asthma triggers.

5.Rosemary

Rosemary oil has a very unique smell that is great to add to your homemade vaporizer. Not only does it smell great, it contains an ingredient called “Cineole”

According to the US National Library of Medicine, Cineole reduces cough frequency after 4 days.

5.Oregano

Oregano oil in your homemade humidifier will help fight off a cold bug. It’s true. Oregano oil contains three ingredients that are known to fight off bacteria. Carvacrol, Thymol, and Rosmarinic acid, all found in oregano oil, create a natural antibiotic and fungicide.

6.Ginger

Ginger oil has been shown to effectively decrease the symptoms of a cold. If you got the sniffles, adding Ginger oil to your boiling water humidifier is an excellent way to open up your airways and make it easier to breathe in general.

Alternative DIY Humidification Methods

A bowl of water in front of a fan

You can get a good DIY cool mist humidifier effect by placing a bowl of water in front of a fan.

That is essentially what an evaporative cooler does. It blows a fan across water to add cool air to the house.

By

putting a bowl of water in front of a fan, the fan helps evaporate the water and moisturize the air and give you a cool breeze off the water at the same time.

Although it’s not going to be as effective as buying a cool mist humidifier, it’s still a very good option if you do not have a humidifier.

Humidify a room with a bowl of water

When you think about it, water evaporates. And though it may not evaporate at the rate that can give you instant relief, just leaving bowls of water around the house is a humidifier because the water will evaporate and add the moisture to the air.

Leave the water in the bath

One of the easiest ways to have a huge DIY humidifier is to run a bath and leave the water to evaporate instead of draining it out.

Take a shower for humidity

Leaving the doors open when you shower so that the moisture from the shower gets into the rest of the house is also an adequate do-it-yourself humidifier.

Air dry your clothes

I’m old enough to remember when dryers were much less popular and people dried their clothes on clothes lines in the backyard.

They also draw their clothes on clothes lines inside of the house when the weather is not permitting.

It may have taken a lot of door spaces up but nevertheless it increased the humidity inside of the home.

DIY Dryer hose humidifier

Dryers are hooked up to the wall with a hose that expels the heat and humidity outside when it is working.

Unhooking the hose so that the heat and humidity is expelled inside is a do it yourself humidifier that will actually do the job of a warm mist humidifier.

Get some fish

A fish tank is basically the same concept as leaving bowls of water around the house to evaporate.

Your aquarium serves the same purpose and it makes for an excellent hobby.

There are also fish tank/ humidifier combination devices being sold on Amazon. Might be worth checking out.

Flowers in a vase

Another way to keep containers of water around the house is to put flowers out in vases.

Same concept as leaving bowls of water around the house, only with the beautiful addition of flowers to help humidify the home.

House plant sweat

House plants can actually be a good source of indoor humidity because of the little known fact of House plant sweat.

It’s actually called plant transpiration. It’s the process where moisture passes through a plant’s stomata or pores and releases water into the air through their foliage.

This is one of the main reasons for keeping your plants clean. To ensure that their pores are not clogged.

Some plants make better humidifying plants than others though.

Spider Plant humidifier

Spider plants are really easy to grow and they increase the humidity indoors.
They are also on NASA’s big list of air purifying plants which gives them a double bang.

English ivy is another easy plant that has a high humidity increasing rate.

It also is good for reducing the carbon monoxide in the air.

Rubber Plant humidifier

Rubber plants are one of the coolest house plants you can own that also have a high transpiring rate.

They are also on NASA’s list of natural indoor air purifying plants.

Rubber plants also have huge leaves which aids in the humidifying process immensely.

Dwarf Date Palm

Also a cool looking plant to have in the house that is great for increasing the humidity in the home is the dwarf date palm.

Basically a miniature palm tree that can get pretty tall on its own.

Super easy to grow and keep healthy too.

Recap:

Boiling water as a humidifier maybe an old trick but it is one that still works as well as it ever did. It is not only a great way to add moisture to the air, it is also ready to add essential oils to help you breathe better or relax if you want to.

Other DIY tricks people use to increase the humidity in their home is to place bowls of water around the house to evaporate. Good one.

Keep flowers out in vases, same concept, also a good one.

Unhook the dryer hose. You will definitely get some humidity with this trick.

Humidifier plants.

Putting the right plants in your home will not only increase the humidity but will also increase oxygen and decrease indoor air pollution. Win. Win.

Check out the Levoit “everything you could need in a humidifier” if you want to skip the do-it-yourself route.

Other Resources: Vaporizer or Humidifier

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Do I Need a Humidifier?

The most sure way to know whether or not you need a humidifier is to measure the humidity in your room. The hygrometer is a gauge that will measure your humidity and tell you what the relative percentage of moisture you have in your air.

What should the humidity be in your home?

The ideal relative humidity range is between 40 and 60% according to the National Library of Medicine.

Most publications including Martha Stewart.com say that the ideal humidity is between 30 and 50%.

So going off on average, you should be sitting good at 45% relative humidity.

Don’t Have a Hygrometer Handy?

Don’t worry there are plenty of telltale signs that indicate your humidity is too low and that you need a humidifier without having to have an actual humidity meter.

Symptoms of Low Humidity in the House

1. Chapped lips

If you have noticed that your lips are extra dry and you are pulling out the Chapstick more often than usual, that’s a pretty good indication that the air is dry.

Dry air is like a sponge that draws moisture out of every possible thing it can.

When your lips get irritated and dry, they will eventually start cracking. And most of us just put more and more Chapstick on.

But the underlying condition is a lack of moisture in the air.

2. The Bloody Nose

Bloody noses are one of the more popular indications that air is too dry.

Whether you blow your nose and there’s blood on the tissue or your nasal passages have gotten so dry that they crack and bleed, there is one culprit that may be going unnoticed.

And that is the low relative humidity in your space. Increasing the moisture in the air will moisturize the inside of your nose and give you some much-needed relief.

3. Dry, Itchy, and Cracking Skin

Dry skin is one of the main telltale signs that dryness has taken over the ambient air.

And it is also one of the biggest reasons people seek out a humidifier to give them some relief with dry skin.

Dry skin is not only annoying, it can also cause your skin to break and allow airborne bacteria to burrow down into your skin and cause outbreaks of rashes and acne.

Replenishing the moisture in your air for the humidifier is one of the best skin moisturizers you can buy.

4. Dustiness

Dust is a problem when there’s not enough moisture droplets in the air to weigh down dust particles so that they fall to the surface.

Dust is also very greedy for any available moisture in the surroundings. That’s why dust dries your face and skin out so bad.

The humidifier will add the necessary humidity droplets to attach to wayward dust particles and keep them from floating.

5. Viruses

Along the same lines of using a humidifier to alleviate dustiness, is the need for moisture in the air to keep viruses from being able to spread as far.

When there is a lack of moisture, allergens, viruses, and airborne bacteria are free to float and travel further throughout a room or house.

When the proper moisture is added back into the air, humidity droplets attach themselves to the viral particles and cause them to be too heavy to float or travel.

Which reduces the chance of exposure to the viruses.

6. Asthma

Asthma is another problem that can be triggered by airborne particles.

Particles that are allowed to flow freely throughout the air because of a lack of moisture droplets to weigh them down.

Many asthmatic episodes can be avoided by keeping the moisture level in the home in the 40 to 60% range.

7. Acne

Acne is not a condition that you normally consider being an issue with humidity. But acne can actually be a dry skin problem.

Dry skin can break open and allow the bacteria that is causing the acne to get a deeper root inside of your skin.

Moisturization in the form of humidity can keep your skin from drying out and being a richer plantation for acne to grow.

8. Static Electricity

Static electricity is one of the first indicators that the moisture in the air has dipped.

Walking around, shocking each other, discharging on every metal object you touch is a huge neon sign blinking “your humidity is too low!”

And just like every other humidity problem, it seems to go on weeks before you ever make the connection between the static electricity and the humidity level.

9. Dry Throat.

Just like the nasal passages, the throat needs proper moisture to function.

When the humidity is dropped, you will often start to get a sore, itchy, and dry throat.

And often just turning on a cool mist humidifier for a few hours will magically relieve the soreness.

10. Wood Cracking.

When the air is too dry it causes wood to shrink. The shrinking can eventually cause the wood to crack. And if it’s your furniture, not so good.

The lack of humidity also causes stress on an acoustic guitar which can make it buzz. And warp the neck to the point that the strings are hard to press down. And it will eventually crack.

Too much humidity can eventually saturate the wood causing expansion and adhesives to give loose.

Warning:

You may need a humidifier if you have any of these symptoms.

But for all the benefits that keeping the proper humidity level in your house can offer you,

It’s important to remember that humidifiers are maintenance heavy by nature.

They require thorough cleanings often.

Most of the symptoms above would be negated if you were to use the humidifier wrongly.

And by wrongly, I mean if you were to operate the humidifier after it has had stagnant water sitting in it with bacteria growing.

The bacteria that grows on water can be very dangerous. That is why it is very important to understand that humidifiers must be kept clean.