Did you know that those static “shocks” you experience (usually in wintertime) are caused by dry air? There are many reasons you may want to humidify your home, shocks included. According to Living Direct, humidifying your home “moisturizes your skin and lips, protects your throat, soothes your sinuses, halts the spread of flu germs and eases the symptoms of illness. It can also reduce snoring, warm your home, and even help houseplants thrive and protect your floors and furniture.” Read on to find out the many ways you can humidify your home.
If you have concerns about the air quality you are breathing or any persisting respiratory problems, contact Dr. Shukla to discuss treatment options. As the top pulmonologist in New York City, Dr. Shukla is an expert in pulmonology, sleep disorders, and allergies.
Air sealing, Caulking and Installing Weather Strips
The top reason for dry air in the home is air leakage. When chilly air gets in from outside and heats up, there is a drop in the humidity level. Carefully inspect cracks, plumbing, and other outside locations where two or more distinct types of materials come together.
Radiator Humidifying
You can place pots full of water, wet laundry, or a soaked towel on the radiator to let the moisture evaporate and humidify the house. Or, you can buy an inexpensive “radiator humidifier,” which is a non-electronic radiator specifically designed to moisten the air.
Using Your Stove Top
Boil a big pot of water on the stove. The steam will moisten the air in your house. You can also add essential oils, cinnamon sticks, or orange peel to make your house smell good or to protect you from cold and flu season.
Making a DIY Humidifier
There are many kinds of easy to make humidifiers with instructions available online. A popular one makes use of materials you may not have guessed would work. Punch a couple dozen holes in a large, plastic freezer bag. Next, moisten a large sponge, then squeeze out any excess water. Put it inside a bag and place it any room that requires dampened air.
Using a Spray Bottle
Buy a multi-use plastic spray bottle and go around the house spraying warm water into the air from time to time. Tip: A finer mist is more effective.
Buying an Indoor Fountain
Consider placing an indoor fountain on your desk or featuring one in your living room. They can help optimize humidity, but makes sure to keep up on cleaning to avoid mold. Bonus: Running water has a calming, anti-stress effect on the mind.
Traditional Humidifiers
If you truly want to see a noticeable difference, buy a whole house humidifier. Or, if you want to humidify just one bedroom, try a single room humidifier.
If there is a serious job to be done and you don’t want just a table top model, opt for a large model such as a cabinet or chest humidifier that can hold 10 to 20 gallons and is powerful enough to treat larger areas. Check to make sure it has a humidistat so that it will turn on and off automatically. Cabinet or chest humidifiers cost around $100 but they last for decades. When you move to a larger space, you can bring it along with you for easy breathing.
Pulmonologist in New York City
Dr. Mayank Shukla treats over 5,000 patients per year that have been suffering from asthma, sleep disorders, and allergies. He provides a personalized, boutique approach to healthcare which emphasizes prevention. Dr. Shukla has been in practice for over 15 years and continues to be the top pulmonologist in New York City.
