10 Benefits of a Humidifier
What is a Humidifier?
The dry air in your space can cause many issues for your health and home. Dry air is common during winter months when we turn on the heat. A humidifier is a device that adds moisture back into the air in the form of mist to improve the overall indoor air quality of your home. Controlling indoor humidity is very important for your well-being and maintaining your home, and according to research, the recommended ideal humidity level for your home should be between 40%-60%.
The Benefits of a Humidifier
Here is a list of 10 benefits of having a humidifier!
1. Relieve Dry Skin, Eyes, and Lips
During the winter season or in dry air climates, you might suffer from dry skin and throat, itchy eyes, or cracked lips. A humidifier releases refreshing mist to hydrate and provide relief from all kinds of dryness to help you feel moisturized and comfortable!
2. Reduce Congestion
Runny Noses? Nose Bleeds? No Problem – a humidifier can also help to clear sinus congestion! If your nasal passage gets too dry, it keeps the mucus from moving properly, sounds super gross, but is actually really important to keep you feeling healthy to avoid any sinus congestion-related symptoms including headaches, coughing, and more! The added moisture in the air from a humidifier can keep your sinuses clean and clear, to keep you feeling good and breathing easily!
3. Alleviate Allergy, Cold, and Flu Symptoms
According to research conducted by Harvard University, viruses like the flu are more likely to survive longer in a dry environment and spread more easily. Using a humidifier is a simple way to slow down or even stop the spread of those germs. Dust mites and mold develop in dry environments which are common allergens. By bringing moisture back into the air with a humidifier, it can help reduce and manage any allergy symptoms!
4. Manage Asthma
If you suffer from asthma, you might struggle with shortness of breath, tight lungs, coughing, wheezing, and more frustrating issues. Extra humidity in the air can help loosen your lungs and soothe your throat, making your asthma-related health issues and symptoms more manageable.
5. Great for Babies and Children
Babies and young children especially benefit from being around a humidifier. Since their skin is extremely sensitive, it makes them more prone to dryness and illnesses, and they are unable to express the discomfort they might be feeling. A humidifier can help relieve all these symptoms, help them breathe more easily, have better sleep, and keep your baby and young children healthy without having to use invasive tools or medicine. To read more about how indoor air quality can affect young children and babies, check out our blog on "How to Solve Indoor Air Quality Problems."
6. Maintain Floors and Furniture
Not just us, but the wooden floors, furniture, and instruments in our homes all need moisture! If the wood becomes too dry, it can crack or get damaged, humidifier can help maintain your tables, floors, cabinets, and more. In addition, dust mites sitting on your furniture can also ruin your bedding, sofas, and more. Raising the humidity in the air can keep your furniture refreshing. Overall, a humidifier will make sure that your home is in great condition.
7. Reduce Pet Dander
If you have a pet at home, a humidifier can provide relief by reducing pet dander. Dander is fur and hair shed by pets which is the leading cause of pet allergies. The moisture in the air keeps the dander from traveling throughout your home and makes it easier to breathe and more fun to be around your furry friend – for more snuggles and fewer sniffles!
8. Improve Sleep
Do you snore at night? There are multiple reasons that can cause snoring, including nasal congestion and a dry airway and throat. Using a humidifier can help moisturize your throat and nasal passage to reduce snoring for a better night’s sleep!
9. Keep House Plants Healthy
Extra humidity in the air can help conserve plants’ moisture by keeping the soil damp which helps them grow and keep their leaves fresh and green. Most indoor plants are tropical and originate from rainforest environments and climates, so they need humidity or extra moisture to maintain their luscious green leaves. A humidifier is a great and easy way to maintain your house plants to keep them healthy and thriving.
10. Reduce Static Electricity
You have probably noticed static electricity in your home whether it’s clothes that cling to your skin, frizzy hair, or feeling a shock in your fingers when you touch certain items. Static electricity is more common during cold winter months because of the dry air. Adding extra moisture back into the air can help reduce the static electricity from accumulating. Having a humidifier in your home will maintain the humidity level in the air, a humidity percentage of around 40%-60% can significantly reduce static electricity. How shocking?!