Just like the name suggests, a humidifier is a device used to increase the humidity or the moisture content in the surrounding air. A humidifier works by changing the liquid into mist or air which then humidifies the room. It has numerous benefits, including providing you relief from dry skin, dry throat, and nasal passage, and many other respiratory symptoms.
Dry air is dangerous because it can lead to adverse health effects such as dry skin, dry nose, and throat passage. Humidifiers add moisture to the air and help overcome these health hazards. You may want to buy a humidifier but you find that it is too expensive in stores. Humidifiers can be quite costly. Not to worry, however, because you can create your own.
Here are a few ways to create a home-made humidifier:
- The Sponge Humidifier
As we all know, a sponge is absorbent in nature. Sponges are designed to absorb large amounts of water for long periods, so they’re a great way of releasing moisture into the air consistently throughout the day. To make a homemade humidifier, immerse the sponge in water, let it soak up as much as possible, and then put it in an open bowl or plastic bag and let nature do its work.
- Open fish tank
As they say, there is more than one way to skin a cat. Your fish tank can double up as a homemade humidifier. A fishbowl or tank is an excellent way to increase the humidity inside the house, as lots of water evaporates from their large surface areas. So rather than investing in a humidifier, a fish tank can give you the same effects, plus you will have a new pet!
- Indoor plants
Indoor plants are extremely aesthetic, and they can literally bring life to your house. But on top of that, indoor plants are a great way of adding humidity and in turn reaping the benefits of doing so. Just like humans, plants ‘sweat.’ However, their sweat is just composed of water, so you don’t need to be worrying about a smelly home. When you water your indoor plants regularly and spray them with water on occasion, the chemical reaction that occurs ensures that they release water right back into your home.
- Leave the bathroom door open while and after showering
For those of us who prefer showering with hot water, this method will most definitely favour you. While it might seem absurd, leaving your bathroom door open while showering is a great way to humidify your room. Make sure to lock the main door for obvious reasons. A humidifier works on the basic principle of sending steam back into the air. So, leaving your door open while bathing with fairly hot water can do the same job.
- Spray water on your curtains
Curtains hang right by the window and benefit from the natural rays of the sun. It makes sense that they become warm during the day, so spraying a mist of water on them will work wonders for the air quality in your home. If you’re opening up windows, as the breeze comes in, your curtains will dry up and release water vapours into the air. Just be sure not to make your curtains damp, not wet. This can increase the humidity above the optimum level and make the curtains susceptible to mould growth.
- Place a glass of water near a heater
If it isn’t obvious, heaters have a drying effect and can be harmful. So, to turn your heater into a humidifier, you might want to repurpose your heater to a humidifier of sorts. Place a glass of water near your room heater. This will evaporate the water slowly making it more humid. You can even choose to add a few essential oils to the water to make it a more pleasing experience.
