How to humidify the air in the apartment without a humidifier: 12 ways

The problem is especially acute during the heating season. Radiators work at full capacity and, giving off heat, pull moisture out of the air.

You can tell that the humidity level has dropped sharply by how you feel and even by your appearance. Hair becomes drier, begins to break, skin becomes dull and flaky. Headaches appear, a feeling of heaviness in the head, dry eye syndrome occurs, sleep worsens. To avoid all unpleasant consequences, it is necessary to maintain an optimal level of humidity in the apartment.

It is important to maintain an optimal level of humidity in the room

Why is it necessary to moisturize the air in the apartment?

According to GOST, there are certain norms of humidity in the premises. In winter – it is 30-45%, and in summer – 30-60%. That is, the level should not be lower and not higher than the norm.

Not only the heating season reduces the moisture content in the air. There are a number of additional factors:

• a large number of household appliances used in the apartment;
• the general climate of the place of residence – in northern areas the air is drier than in southern areas;
• floor and wall coverings, overloading the room with furniture;
• complete absence of indoor plants.

Also, dry air carries a real threat to human health. Low humidity contributes to:

• frequent colds and decreased immunity – this is due to the fact that the nasopharyngeal mucous membranes are dried out, subjected to microtrauma and, as a consequence, available for infections and bacteria;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases such as bronchial asthma, allergic cough;
• dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis and other eye diseases;
• deterioration of the skin, it dries out, cracks, peeling, aggravation of chronic skin diseases; hair also suffers – from dryness they begin to break, hair ends split;
• decrease in mood and performance, because of the lack of humidity in the air a person experiences migraines, dizziness, general weakness, there is a risk of sleep disorders – for example, insomnia.

Dry air can negatively affect wooden furniture, paintings and other objects in the apartment.

However, high humidity is also a health hazard. Excess moisture provokes colds, relapse of chronic bronchial asthma, allergic reactions. Condensation can form in the house, and then mold and fungus. This is extremely dangerous for the body. That is why it is so important to maintain an optimal level of moisture in the apartment.

How to measure the humidity level in the apartment?

With the help of a hygrometer

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends maintaining an optimal level of humidity in the room to maintain health and comfort. It ranges from 40% to 60%.

The level of moisture content in the air can be assessed independently. This is done with the help of a special device – hygrometer. It gives an almost accurate assessment, the error is only 1%.

Hygrometers are of different types:

• digital – the level is reflected on the display in percentage equivalent – this method is the most convenient and simple;
• hair – works on the principle of human hair reaction to the level of moisture in the air;
• psychometric – consists of two thermometers: one evaluates dryness, the second – moisture;
• film, which is based on an organic membrane that changes size depending on the level of humidity.

But if you do not have a hygrometer, you can measure the level with the help of improvised means.

Measuring the level of humidity in the apartment with a glass of water

Using a glass with water

Fill a glass with cold water and put it in the refrigerator for about three hours. The water should be cooled to 5°C. After the time has elapsed, place the cooled glass on any surface in the room (the main thing – away from the battery and electrical appliances). And watch the changes. Fogged walls of the container testify to the optimal level of humidity, wet streams flowing down the sides of the glass, speak of increased humidity. And if the glass quickly fogged up and just as quickly dried, it is an indicator that the air is too dry.

With the help of a spruce cone

If there is a lack of moisture in the air, after two hours the scales of the spruce cone will begin to open, and on the contrary, increased humidity will make them close.

With the help of linen

Pay attention to how long it takes to naturally dry washed wet linens. If the sheet and pillowcases dry in a couple of hours, it means that the air in the apartment is dry and greedily absorbs moisture from the fabric.

How to moisturize the air in the apartment without a humidifier: 12 ways

If you are not ready to spend on the purchase of a household humidifier, then there are several budget methods how to increase the humidity of the air in the apartment.

1. Do wet cleaning more often

Wipe dust off surfaces with a damp cloth once a day. Wash floors more often, use a vacuum cleaner to clean carpets. Carpeting is called a dust collector for a reason. Therefore, if possible, minimize their number in the rooms.

2. Install a dryer in the room

Dry freshly washed laundry directly in the room, not on the balcony. The dry air will begin to draw moisture from the materials and the humidity level will begin to rise.

3. use damp towels

Wet a few towels and place them on the heating radiators. The only downside to this budget-friendly method is that you’ll have to moisten the towels frequently.

4. Install vases with water as interior decorations

Any beautiful containers will not only give a stylish zest to the apartment, but also cope with such a task as moisturizing the air. Fill the vases with water and simply arrange them in the rooms. Make sure that they stand at a decent distance from household appliances, outlets and wires. Keep them out of reach of children and animals to avoid tipping over. It’s important to change the water so it doesn’t stagnate or bloom.

5. Cook on the stove

Favor cooking on the cooktop and avoid using the oven. The high temperatures of ovens dry out the air around them a lot. Boiling on the stove, on the contrary, increases the humidity level.

An aquarium humidifies the air

6. Install an aquarium

Another decorative element that will help to moisturize the air in your apartment. Install the aquarium according to safety rules: away from electrical appliances and radiators, out of reach of children and pets. It is important that the aquarium was not completely closed, because the evaporation of moisture needs an opening.

7. Keep the bathroom door open

Especially after water procedures. The steam from the bathroom will travel to all the rooms. This is one of the quick and easy ways to make the air humid.

8. Use a sprayer

To solve the problem of dry air in the apartment without a humidifier, you will need clean water and a plastic sprayer. Pour the liquid and spray it on the surfaces. Avoid getting moisture on upholstered furniture, otherwise stains may remain. It is ideal to use the sprayer on curtains and drapes.

9. Install a floor fountain

A beautiful solution on how to moisturize the air in the apartment. A floor waterfall saturates the atmosphere with moisture, soothes, helps you relax and just enjoy the aesthetic view.

10. Use hydrogel balls

Colorful balls contain a polymer that has a powerful absorbent property. Fill a glass container with the balls and add water. Under the action of the liquid, the polymer will swell and the balls will increase in size. And then they will release moisture into the air. Do not forget to add water to the container, as hydrogel quickly absorbs it. Keep vases with balls away from small children and pets.

11. Make a humidifier yourself

One easy way would be to install water bowls on your radiators. They can be reinforced with metal wire. For the second method, you will need a thick plastic bag – make a few holes in it with a needle and send it to the freezer. After a while, take out the bag, put a wet sponge inside. Unpretentious device put on a plate (to drain water) and place in the apartment.

12. Set up pots with indoor plants

A home garden will make the dry air in the apartment noticeably fresher. In this case, some plants not only moisturize the air, but also purify it from harmful toxins, saturating it with oxygen. This happens thanks to the process of transpiration, when house plants release water, which they absorb from the soil with the help of roots. To increase humidity levels, favor crops that are very moisture-loving.

Plants not only moisturize the air, but also purify it from harmful toxins by oxygenating it

Top 11 plants that moisturize the air

1. Sansevieria. The habitat of the plant is the driest places, so in the absence of moisture, sansevieria has adapted and learned to release oxygen even from dry soil.
2. Ficus. Actively absorbs harmful impurities and bacteria from the air. Therefore, ficus will become an assistant in winter, during the period of colds.
3. Cypress. Well moisturizes the air and solves such a problem as headaches. Install cypress in the bedroom, and your sleep will be better.
4. Cyperus. If watered regularly, it can provide about two liters of moisture per day.
5. Monstera. A powerful natural humidifier. It consumes large amounts of water and then turns it into moisture.
6. Chlorophytum. Absorbs impurities such as benzene and carbon monoxide from the air.
7. Cissus. Moisturizes the air while destroying dangerous formaldehyde.
8. Spathiphyllum. Actively fills the dry air in the apartment with moisture and oxygen. It is important to keep it away from children and pets, as spathiphyllum leaves are toxic.
9. Fern. Filters and moisturizes the air, promoting a comfortable microclimate.
10. Dracaena marginata. Destroys formaldehyde and benzene.
11. Hibiscus. Moisturizes, absorbs toxins and reduces electrification in the air.

How to prevent dry air in the room: 5 ways

You can be concerned in advance and maintain a constantly comfortable general microclimate in the apartment:

• ventilate the room more often, at least three times a day;

• check the ventilation system, clean it if necessary;
• minimize the use of household appliances, use them as needed;
• drink more water to maintain a hydration balance in the body;
• use less artificial light, favor natural light.

The optimal level of humidity in the apartment is important for health and comfort. Dry air irritates the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, which can lead to symptoms such as dry throat, itchy nose, coughing and difficulty breathing. Lack of moisture contributes to dehydration of the skin, leading to sleep problems. Increased humidity is also negative, it can cause condensation and dangerous fungus and mold. It is therefore important to maintain a balance.