Tips for Increasing Humidity in Your Home During Winter

One of the most brutal aspects of winter is the low humidity. The drop in humidity levels can result in dry air and a slew of problems for many, such as chapped lips, sore throats, and troubled breathing. However, don’t think you’re doomed to a season of poor health and physical discomfort! Keep reading to learn about humidifying your home and making winter bearable by beating out the dry air.

Choosing the Right Humidification Method

A humidifier is the easiest and most convenient way of controlling humidity in house. Not only do they come in all shapes and sizes, but they can also improve your indoor humidity levels using different methods. Let’s explore the three most common types of humidifiers.

Evaporative Humidifiers

Evaporative humidifiers operate without heating water for vapour creation. They use a fan, adding humidity through a moist wick filter at the device’s bottom. This causes water to evaporate into a vapour released as a spray or mist, providing much-needed moist air. These humidifiers are child and pet-friendly due to their absence of heat generation. This can help with indoor humidity levels.

They are affordable, portable, and require little maintenance, automatically adjusting humidity levels. These humidifiers emit a soft, humming noise. Although they generate clean, invisible additional moisture without white mineral dust, bacteria can contaminate the unheated water, requiring routine cleaning and changing. You can use distilled water to help prevent this.

Vaporizer Humidifiers

Vaporizer humidifiers offer the flexibility of choosing between cool or warm mist options. Users can also add inhalants to relieve cold and flu symptoms. Despite their versatile capabilities, these humidifiers are budget-friendly. When set to warm, they emit visible steam through a heating element, while the cool setting produces a mist reminiscent of an evaporator humidifier.

Vaporizers operate quietly and generate minimal dust. However, they have some drawbacks: they consume a lot of energy, are challenging to clean, and may pose a burn risk for households with small children or pets.

Ultrasonic Humidifiers

Ultrasonic humidifiers utilize a vibrating metallic diaphragm to release moisture into the air, with the option of warm or cold mist. These devices operate quietly and use minimal energy, making them suitable for bedrooms and those sensitive to noise. Some models have pre-programmed settings to adjust humidity based on weather conditions and seasonal needs. 

While energy-efficient and easy to clean, the warm mist settings may lead to bacterial contamination and mineral dust accumulation. To avoid such issues, use distilled water or clean it regularly. Although they come with a high price tag, ultrasonic humidifiers provide a quiet and efficient solution for cool and warm mist options.

Essential Tips for Using a Humidifier

Once you’ve chosen your humidifier, a few tips and tricks can help you use them effectively and safely. This way, you can reap the benefits of humidifying your home without any of the worry!

Consider Your Indoor Environment

Make sure to use a humidifier that suits the size of your living space. A small one might not add moisture to the air as quickly or effectively. On the other hand, a large humidifier can lead to problems more than it solves them, such as mould growth, poor air quality, and excessive moisture levels. 

Use Distilled Water

Distilled water lacks tap water’s impurities. This means it won’t spread any unwanted minerals into the air and has a much lower chance of stimulating bacterial growth when heated.

Routinely Clean Your Humidifier

A thorough clean ensures your humidifier is working optimally. Not doing so can lead to mineral deposits, bacteria, and even mould residing along the humidifier’s surfaces and becoming airborne. Additionally, consider replacing your humidifier’s filters often.

Be Mindful of Your Humidifier’s Location

Have pets or children in your home? Position your humidifier out of their reach since the heating element in some can lead to household injuries. Keeping it away from the littlest members of your family provides you total peace of mind. 

No Whole-Home Humidifier? No Problem! Alternative Ways to Increase Humidity in Your Home

In the absence of a humidifier, there are a few ways you can increase humidity levels in your home in a pinch. These methods are convenient if a humidifier is out of your budget or you need instant relief. 

• Boil water. Remove any lids to release moisture into the air by boiling water on the stovetop.
• Set out a vase or bowls of water. As the water evaporates, your home’s humidity will increase by water vapor.
• Unleash steam. Nothing’s better than a hot shower in the winter! The steam can help humidify your entire home, too.
• Air dry your laundry. Hanging out your linens and clothes lets the evaporating water add humidity to your home.
• Don’t unplug the drain. Warm bathwater can easily humidify your home as it sits. Leave your bathroom door open so the moisture can travel to other rooms.
• Go green. Plants can humidify your home through a process called transpiration, which releases much-needed moisture.

Facing Winter Months Property Issues? Contact PuroClean!

When your property undergoes damage, the situation can be daunting and stressful. Finding a reliable team to assist you in recovery is crucial, whether it’s due to a burst pipe, fire, or a natural disaster. That’s when it’s time to call PuroClean Restoration Richmond! Our highly trained professionals are at your service 24/7, ready to address all your property damage needs. From water restoration to mould remediation, we use cutting-edge technology to remediate your home or business quickly and efficiently. Please get in touch with us today for emergency property damage restoration at (604) 841-9879!