When the temperature drops, it is quite natural to go to a cozy heated house. But when you turn on the heating, the air in the room becomes incredibly dry. If the indoor humidity level is too low, it can lead to discomfort in the home and health problems such as dry hair, chapped lips, dry skin, dry eyes and headaches. To avoid this, many people buy humidifiers. But is it that effective? What is the real benefit of a humidifier?
ContentWhy do you need a humidifier? What are the benefits of a humidifier in winter: protecting indoor plantsBenefit 2: preventing furniture from crackingWhat are the benefits of a humidifier in winter: avoiding dry skinBenefit 4: relieving dry throatWhat are the benefits of a humidifier in winter: reducing the risk of respiratory tract irritationBenefit 6: reducing sinus discomfortWhat are the benefits of a humidifier in winter: improving sleep patterns
Humidifiers are small devices specially designed to saturate the air with moisture. WomanEL will tell you why they are useful in general and especially in winter.
Why do you need a humidifier?
Humidifiers have one purpose: to add moisture to the air. That’s why when winter comes and the air outside gets too cold and dry, purchasing a humidifier is a great option to increase the humidity level in your home. The method of adding moisture to the air depends on the specific type of humidifier.
For example, some types of humidifiers heat water to create steam or water vapor. While other types of humidifiers use vibration to inject moisture into the air. An evaporative humidifier often consists of a small tank of water and a fan that blows across the surface of the tank to disperse excess moisture into the air as the water evaporates.
According to the EPA, the humidity level in your home should be maintained between 30 and 50 percent. To achieve this goal, you can purchase a small personal humidifier for your home office or bedroom, a console humidifier to increase humidity levels throughout your entire home, or a central humidifier. It is built into your HVAC system to humidify your entire home.
What are the benefits of a humidifier in winter: protecting indoor plants
Depending on the type of plants you keep indoors, you may notice that their leaves start to turn brown or dry out during the winter months, despite regular watering. This is often due to dry conditions inside the home caused by low humidity levels. If you notice that your houseplants are turning brown or looking dry, using a small humidifier in the room can help solve the problem.
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Benefit 2: Prevent furniture from cracking
Most homes have wooden furniture, whether it’s a table, chairs, sofa legs, or a nightstand. While furniture is usually sealed to keep it in good condition, prolonged exposure to low humidity can gradually dry out the wood.
As a result, it will become brittle, crack or break. To protect wooden furniture, it is recommended to constantly maintain the humidity level between 30 and 50 percent. Therefore, if the humidity level drops in the winter months, it is worth purchasing a humidifier to increase the humidity.
What are the benefits of a humidifier? in winter: avoiding dry skin
Dry skin is a common problem in the winter due to low humidity levels in the air. Using a lotion or moisturizer can help relieve dry skin and minimize symptoms like cracking, rashes, or flaking.
Adding more moisture to the air can also help reduce dryness and help your skin’s protective barrier retain enough moisture to keep it looking and feeling healthy during the dry winter months. Investing in a humidifier is the easiest and most reliable way to increase the humidity in your home.
Humidifiers have a positive effect on skin conditions such as dry skin and eczema, Source: freepik.com
Benefit 4: Relief from dry throat
Just as dry skin can be a problem in low humidity, a dry or scratchy throat is also a common problem that people face during the dry winter months. Installing a whole-house humidifier or a portable humidifier can help alleviate this problem by raising the humidity to a comfortable level of 30 to 50 percent. Additionally, people who suffer from a dry or scratchy throat can ease their symptoms by drinking warm tea with honey.
What are the benefits of a humidifier in winter: reducing the risk of respiratory tract irritation
Indoor air that is too dry can cause the mucus in your nasal passages and throat to dry out. This makes it difficult to breathe and clear excess mucus. Humidifiers are an effective way to relieve respiratory irritation, such as a dry cough or nasal congestion, by increasing the humidity in the room. This helps thin mucus and moisten the throat and nasal passages, making breathing easier.
Benefit 6: Reduced sinus discomfort
Dry sinuses, nosebleeds, and nasal congestion are common symptoms that can occur if the air in your home is too dry. Dry conditions dry out the mucus in your sinuses. This can lead to swelling or inflammation of the sinus walls, as well as dry skin in your throat and nasal passages. Using a humidifier to increase the humidity in the air helps reduce sinus discomfort, eliminating or minimizing symptoms such as headaches, sinus pressure, and nasal congestion.
How to Use a Humidifier in Winter: Improve Your Sleep
During the cold, dry winter months, your sleep can suffer due to low humidity levels in your home. Dry air can negatively affect your sinuses and respiratory system, as well as dry out your skin and eyes. This makes for uncomfortable sleep. Installing a small humidifier in your bedroom can be a great way to increase the humidity in the air, which can lead to longer, more restful sleep. If everyone in your house is experiencing the same sleep problems, you may want to consider getting a whole-house humidifier to increase the humidity throughout your home.
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