During the winter months, the humidity level in the rooms usually drops. This can lead to the fact that the air becomes dry and unpleasant, which negatively affects our health and comfort. In this article, we will consider various ways to make the air in the room more humid and with a pleasant aroma.
Air humidifiers
The first way is to use air humidifiers. There are many different types of humidifiers, such as water softener humidifiers, ultrasonic humidifiers, and humidified air purifiers. They work by treating the water you put in the humidifier and releasing it into tiny droplets that are dispersed in the air.
In theory, you can use ordinary tap water to humidify the air, but this is not recommended. Tap water can contain various minerals, chemicals, and bacteria that can damage your humidifier or leave an unpleasant odor in the air. Therefore, it is recommended to use only purified, purchased water. It is also worth considering that some humidifiers can work only with a certain type of water, for example, demineralized or iron-free. Therefore, it is worth carefully reading the instructions for the humidifier.
Methods of air humidification with improvised means
In addition to humidifiers, there are many other ways to moisten the air in the room with improvised means.
Containers with water
One such way is to place several small containers of water in the room. These can be, for example, basins, cans, bottles or just bowls of water. The water will heat up from the sun’s rays or from the heat of the heating, and will begin to evaporate, humidifying the air in the room.
It is recommended to use purified water to avoid unpleasant odors. Do not forget to periodically change the water to fresher.
Wet towels, sheets or rags
Wet sheets and rags are one of the simple and effective ways to humidify the air in the room. This method involves placing a wet sheet or rag over a radiator or other heat source so that it begins to evaporate and humidify the air.
When a sheet or cloth is heated, it begins to evaporate water, which spreads throughout the room and humidifies the air. This method is quite simple and inexpensive, and does not require additional space or electronic equipment. Also does not require any special maintenance and can be easily done without experience.
However, you should remember that it is necessary to periodically wash the towel or rag that you used, since the constant moisture on the fabric will cause bacteria to multiply and an unpleasant smell will appear. Such towels should preferably be washed at a high temperature in the washing machine.
Houseplants
Another way to humidify the air is to use special plants that can evaporate water from the leaves, humidifying the air in the room. These can be, for example:
- kalanchoe;
- rubber ficus;
- philodendron;
- aglaonema
Plants also help clean the air of impurities and toxins, improving the quality of the atmosphere in the room.
How to understand that you need to humidify the room
The optimal level of air humidity for a person in the room is from 40% to 60%. With such air humidity, a person feels comfortable, does not experience dryness in the throat and nose, and there is no irritation from dry skin.
A low level of air humidity in the apartment can lead to a number of unpleasant sensations and health problems. Here are some signs that may indicate that the air in the apartment is too dry:
- Feeling of dryness in the throat and nose;
- Frequent occurrence of runny nose or nasal irritation;
- Dryness and peeling of the skin;
- Dry and brittle hair;
- The appearance of cracks on the lips and skin of the hands;
- Deterioration of the skin condition in people with sensitive skin or prone to allergies;
- Dryness and irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes;
- Dryness and irritation of the nasopharynx;
- Deterioration of the condition of teeth and gums;
- The appearance of cracks on the nails;
- Dryness and irritation of the upper part of the throat.
The air in the room can be measured using a special device – a hygrometer. The hygrometer shows the air humidity level in percentage and helps to monitor the optimal level. Hygrometers can be purchased at electronics stores, drugstores, or home improvement stores. They can be of different types and sizes, but usually look like a small device with a screen and buttons for control.
Too humid indoor air can also be harmful to health. It can promote the development of fungus and mold, as well as increase the risk of allergies.
Too dry air is especially harmful for people with sensitive skin or bronchial asthma. In this case, it is important to regularly humidify the air in the room to ensure comfortable breathing conditions.
Using aromatic oils to create a pleasant smell in the room
To make the aroma with moist air in the room pleasant, you can use various means. For example, you can place scented candles, aroma diffusers or scented oils in the room.
Aromatic oils can be used to provide a pleasant aroma in a room and create the right atmosphere. They can be used to wet cloths that can be placed in different parts of the room, or to drip water into special devices such as vaporizers and humidifiers. Some pleasant smells of aromatic oils that can improve mood and promote relaxation, for example: lavender, rose, freesia, mint, lemon. However, you should be careful with certain scents, such as rosemary or camphor essential oil, as they can cause headaches and anxiety in some people.
When using aromatic oils, it is worth considering not only their smell, but also possible side effects. For example, some oils, such as red pepper and cardamom, contain chemicals that can cause skin and mucous membrane irritation.
It is also worth considering that some oils, such as lavender and chamomile essential oil, are phototoxic and can cause more frequent tanning when exposed to sunlight. Therefore, before using aromatic oils, you should consult a specialist or read information about their use. It is also important to remember that in order to moisten the air and make it pleasant, you need to regularly ventilate the room and remove dirt and dust from it.
In general, there are many ways to humidify the air in the room with improvised means, and the choice depends on individual needs and preferences. It is important to understand that humidified air is important for health and comfort and can help reduce allergy and cold symptoms and improve sleep quality.
Therefore, regardless of which method you choose, it is important to constantly monitor the level of humidity in the air and take measures to ensure sufficient humidity.