The Simple Solution for Preventing Illness: Add Humidity to Your Home

The next couple of blog posts are going to pertain to illness in the winter, because that’s exactly what we just experienced. First off, I wanted to start with talking about humidity. Humidity is necessary during the winter months when it’s so dry and it’s particularly great for improving air quality, preventing dry skin, throat irritation, and respiratory discomfort.

Why Are Humidifiers Helpful?

The ideal indoor humidity level to avoid sickness and promote overall health is typically between 40% and 60%. Maintaining this range of humidity can help reduce the likelihood of respiratory infections, dry skin, and other discomforts associated with very low or very high humidity levels. Here’s why this range is optimal for preventing sickness:

1. Prevents Dry Mucous Membranes

When the air is too dry (below 30% humidity), your mucous membranes in the nose, throat, and respiratory system can dry out. This makes it easier for viruses and bacteria to enter the body and cause infections. Proper humidity helps keep these membranes moist, providing a natural barrier against germs.

Research: Studies, like the one published in the American Journal of Infection Control (2013), show that viruses like the flu thrive in low humidity, whereas higher humidity levels can help reduce their survival and transmission.

2. Reduces Respiratory Irritation

Low humidity can irritate the respiratory system, causing symptoms like sore throat, nasal congestion, coughing, and even exacerbating conditions like asthma and allergies. A humidifier helps prevent this by keeping the airways hydrated, reducing the chances of developing respiratory issues.

Research: According to a study published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2013), maintaining humidity levels in the range of 40% to 60% helps alleviate asthma symptoms and can reduce the frequency of respiratory discomfort.

3. Supports Immune Function

When your mucous membranes are hydrated, they function more efficiently in trapping and expelling harmful pathogens. By maintaining ideal humidity levels, you help your body’s immune system prevent illness.

Research: The Journal of Infectious Diseases (2010) found that maintaining optimal humidity can support immune function, reducing the risk of viral infections, including the flu.

4. Prevents Dry Skin and Eye Irritation

Dry indoor air can lead to dry skin, itching, and irritation, and can exacerbate conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Humidity in the 40-60% range helps keep your skin moisturized and reduces eye irritation caused by dry air.

5. Prevents Static Electricity

When humidity is too low, static electricity builds up, which can lead to discomfort (shocks) and even damage sensitive electronic equipment. Proper humidity levels help prevent this common problem.

How To Achieve Humidity Without a Humidifier

There are several ways to increase humidity in your home without using a humidifier. Here are a few simple methods:

1. Boil Water

Boiling water on the stove or in a kettle will release steam into the air, raising the humidity in the room. You can also try placing a pot of water on the stove and simmering it. For an added homemaker touch, make a simmer pot with different herbs and spices to make the whole house smell good!

2. Place Bowls of Water Around the House

Place shallow bowls or containers of water near heat sources like radiators, vents, or windowsills. As the water evaporates, it will add moisture to the air.

3. Use Houseplants

Plants naturally release moisture into the air through a process called transpiration. Larger plants, like ferns, peace lilies, and spider plants, are particularly effective at increasing humidity. There are other benefits to plants too, so this one I do for more than this reason.

4. Dry Laundry Indoors

Hanging damp towels, clothes, or sheets to dry indoors will increase humidity as the water evaporates into the air.

5. Take Hot Showers

Taking a hot shower or running the shower with the door closed can fill the bathroom with steam, which will then spread through the home.

6. Use a Spray Bottle

You can lightly mist the air in your room with a spray bottle of water. This will increase humidity in a small area for a short period.

7. Use a Water Fountain

Indoor water fountains release moisture into the air as water moves over the surface. They also have the added benefit of creating soothing sounds.

8. Cook on the Stovetop

Cooking on the stovetop, especially with soups, stews, or pasta, adds moisture to the air. If you boil a pot of pasta, for example, the steam can help raise humidity.

9. Place Wet Towels on Radiators or Heaters

If you have radiators or space heaters, you can drape a damp towel over them. As the towel heats up, it will release moisture into the air.

These methods can help improve the humidity level in your home naturally.

How to Achieve and Maintain Ideal Humidity

To maintain an indoor humidity level of 40-60%, you can use a hygrometer to measure the humidity in your home. If the air is too dry, consider using a humidifier. You can easily purchase on Amazon. The one I have you can find here.