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La Vida Buena Apartments
La Vida Buena Apartments

Humidity Hacks- How to Increase Humidity in Your Home

Humidity Hacks- How to Increase Humidity in Your Home

Humidity plays a key role in shaping your home's environment. Ignoring its impact could make even the most beautiful home extremely uncomfortable. 
 
While you may not feel the effects of low humidity immediately, over time, your body is likely to respond. Some people experience dry skin and itchy eyes, while others may develop ongoing respiratory issues. Thankfully, with the right approach, keeping the air moisturized isn't complicated. 
 
Here are some quick and effective ways to increase humidity in your home. 
 
 

The Importance of Moderate Humidity  

Studies show that a healthy humidity range is 40% to 60%. These numbers demonstrate the concentration of water vapor in the air. 
 
When the humidity is within this range, your body feels the most comfortable. Meanwhile, the airborne viruses and bacteria have fewer chances of spreading. Other (often surprising) benefits of maintaining this humidity range include: 
  • Fewer instances of static electricity 
  • Protection for wooden furniture, flooring, and musical instruments 
  • Healthier indoor plants 
  • Better sleep quality 
  • Lower heating costs (humid air feels warmer) 
  • Less dust in the air (easier to clean your home) 

In short, learning how to humidify your home can pay off in many different ways. Not only will you feel healthier, but your belongings will also have a longer lifespan, and your cleaning routine will become less daunting. 
A room with a large plant in a brown pot and a smaller plant in a green pot on a shelf.

1. Bowls of Water 

The fastest and easiest way to increase humidity in a house is to place bowls of water around your rooms. Be sure to place them away from high-traffic areas to avoid spills. As the water evaporates, the content of vapor in the air increases. Don't forget to add water to the bowls regularly. 

Smart tip: Place these bowls near heat sources (radiators, heating vents, sunny windowsills) to speed up the effect. 

 

2. Air Dry Clothes Indoors  

When it comes to increasing humidity, you can achieve the highest return on investment (ROI) with (surprise!) your laundry. While the dryer saves you a lot of time and effort, it also steals moisture from the air. At the same time, it doesn't allow you to get extra moisture from your clothes naturally. 

 

Hang your clothes on a rack and leave them in the room. You'll enjoy three benefits at once: 

  • Add more moisture to the air (as clothes dry, they release vapor into the room) 
  • Stop the dryer from removing moisture from the air 
  • Save electricity 

Interesting fact: Not using the dryer can reduce a household's carbon footprint by 2,400 pounds annually while saving $100 a year on electricity bills. 

 

3. Leave the Bathroom Door Open While Showering 

While this may somewhat reduce your privacy, leaving a bathroom door open when taking a shower welcomes more moisture into your home's air. The hotter the shower, the more noticeable the humidity boost. 

 

4. Boil water on the Stove 

One of the quickest ways to humidify your home is to simmer a pot of water on the stove. This releases the steam into the air steadily. Consider boiling water for tea or coffee on the stove rather than using electric appliances. 

Fun tip: Simmering water and aromatherapy mix perfectly. If you add herbs or citrus to the water, you can improve the ambiance of your home. Just make sure to watch the pot closely so you don't miss the moment when the water level drops. 

A kettle is steaming on a stove.

5. Add More Plants  

Houseplants naturally release moisture into the air through a process called transpiration. The more plants you have in your house, the more natural humidity you get. Focus your attention on plants that love moisture, so you'd need to water them more frequently. Some examples are: 

  • Boston Fern 
  • Areca Palm 
  • Spider Plant 
  • Peace Lily 
  • Calathea 
  • Bamboo Palm 
  • English Ivy 
  • Philodendron 
  • Chinese Evergreen 
  • Anthurium 

Smart tip: Use a spray bottle to mist the leaves of your plants. They will love this type of care while you get more moisture into the air. 

 

6. Add Water Features 

Small indoor fountains or tabletop water features won't just increase the humidity in your home but also improve your décor. The constant circulation of water creates a gentle release of moisture into the air. 

Bonus: The soothing sound of flowing water can add a touch of calm to your living space. 

 

7. Open the Dishwasher  

Another appliance that can humidify your home is a dishwasher. Simply open the door after the final rinse and let the dishes dry. The steam will escape into the kitchen instead of being vented away.  Over time, small habits like this can make a big difference in keeping your home's air from getting too dry. 

Plates are stacked in a dishwasher.

Perfect Humidity in the Perfect Apartment  

Knowing how to increase humidity is one thing—actually doing it is another. 

Many people mistakenly believe that adding humidity to a room is a battle you can't win. In reality, with just a few small hacks, you can improve your home's atmosphere dramatically. 

If you are looking for a place that to call home, check out La Vida Buena apartments in Albuquerque. Find the perfect place for you in Albuquerque today!