Check out these DIY humidifier ideas!
During the cold winter months, we rely on heating systems to keep our houses warm and safe. While this is a great thing, the hot air is known to extract moisture from the atmosphere, causing heated spaces to feel pretty dry and uncomfortable.
When we talk about humidity, we often refer to relative humidity, which is the percentage that indicates the amount of water vapor present in the air compared to the maximum amount it can hold at a given temperature.
The ideal relative humidity in a room is between 40% and 60%. Anything going below this rance can lead to dryness, while anything above it can promote the growth of midlew and mold. Achieving the right balance is vital for our health and the overall well-being of our indoor environment.
This much-needed moisture content is more important than most of us may think. Not only can the lack of it lead to stuffy noses, headaches, and cracked skin, but furniture, woodwork, and houseplants can suffer too.
While store-bought humidifiers can easily fix the issue, they tend to be expensive and drive up energy consumption. That’s why we’ve rounded up some alternatives: DIY humidifier ideas! Take a look to see how you can help increase your home’s humidity without a humidifier!
1. Improve air quality with plants
While withered indoor plants may be one of the first signs of dry air, they are also one of the best and easiest ways to improve air quality without much effort.
It’s important to note that plants do produce water vapor through transpiration, but it’s rarely enough to notice. However, what houseplants can do is increase oxygen generation and improve the overall air quality indoors. This will make breathing in a dry home a bit easier.
This being said, not only do plants make your house look nice, but they’re also one of the best DIY humidifier ideas. Boston fern is known to help restore moisture and act as a natural humidifier, so you may want to give it a try if you don’t have it in your house already.
Other plants that will reward you with added humidity in your house are Boston fern, Areca palm, spider plants, and snake plants.
By the way, you may want to check out Amazon’s selection of plant pots!
2. Use the stove
Most people don’t know that, but using the stove is one of the best DIY humidifier ideas you can try in your house. For an effective way to add moisture to the indoor air, boil a pot of water for pasta or heat a kettle of water.
This will cause evaporation, which will make the water turn into vapor that will eventually mix freely with the air in your house. For the best results, allow the water to boil for several minutes.
Make sure you keep an eye on the water’s level so you don’t wind up heating an empty vessel, and remember to not leave your stove unattended.
Pro Tip: If you’re just boiling water for moisture, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, and it will make the house smell fresh.
3. Place containers of water on heat sources
Not only is this one of the most effective DIY humidifier ideas, but it’s also as old as time. All you have to do is place bowls or pots of water near or on heating sources. For hot-water radiators and wood stoves, place a sturdy metal or ceramic pot directly on top. If you need to move the pot, make sure you use heat-resistant gloves or well-insulated potholders, as the pot will become very hot.
For wall-mounted electric heat registers and wall vents, a bowl of water on the floor beside them will do the job. Regardless of the source, the heat will cause the water to evaporate, adding moisture to the indoor air.
4. Try the shower solution
One of the best DIY humidifier ideas is something simple that most people won’t think about. When you want to restore moisture in your home, turn to your shower. By opening the door right after a shower or showering with an open door, the moist air from the bathroom can permeate other rooms for an instant humidity boost.
Just make sure you leave the exhaust fan off so all of that humidified air won’t get outside.
Read on to discover other DIY humidifier ideas!
5. Use the sun’s rays and a decorative vase
If you have a favorite vase, you can easily turn it into a humidifier. Fill the vase with water and place it on a sunny windowsill; you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of the sun’s natural evaporation power.
As the sun rays warm the vase and the water, the liquid evaporates into the air, making this method one of the best DIY humidifier ideas. It’s also practical and low-maintenance, which is great.
You just have to replenish the water when necessary—usually a couple of times a week.
6. Give your dryer a break
Tossing wet laundry into the dryer may be convenient, but if you’re dealing with dry air issues indoors, you may want to do things a bit differently. So, instead of turning to your dryer, try hanging laundry on a drying rack in a central spot in your house. It’s one of the easiest DIY humidifier ideas!
As the clothes dry, they will release moisture into the air, making it easier to breathe and creating a pleasant scent.
7. Add a water feature
If you’re looking for a relaxing humidifier, place a small indoor water feature on a table or countertop. The tiny bubblers and waterfalls will add water to the air, increasing its moisture content. And the sound of running water has been shown to be relaxing, so this is one of the best DIY humidifier ideas as it serves more than one purpose.
8. Hit the pet shop
Adding an aquarium-dwelling companion or two to your house is a fun way to help increase humidity indoors. Whether it’s a small aquarium for a box turtle, a goldfish in a bowl, or a large tank full of tropical fish, humidity is bound to escape from the tank and get into the air surrounding it.
When it comes to a lidded tank, opening the flip-down lid or removing the lid for a few hours each day is more than enough for humidity to get out and do its job.
Takeover
Humidity, often underestimated and overlooked, plays a key role in our comfort and overall well-being. Having the right level of humidity is essential for our health as well as for the preservation of our electronics and furniture.
You don’t have to use all of these DIY humidifier ideas to make your house more comfortable. One or two may do the trick when the indoor air feels particularly dry, and you should be breathing easier in no time at all.
So, next time you find your indoor air in need of a humidity boost, remember these natural and DIY humidifier ideas. Regardless of what you choose, these solutions offer a simple, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective way to boost the amount of moisture in the air.
If you liked our article on DIY humidifier ideas, you may also want to read Pest Control: 5 Things You Must Ask Before Hiring a Pro.
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