5 Reasons You Probably Need a Humidifier

Cold, dry winter weather is inevitable, and it can bring all sorts of problems with it. We might consider cranking up a humidifier to aid congestion and make breathing easier if someone in the household gets sick, but higher humidity levels can be helpful all through the winter season. We’ve uncovered five reasons why many households could really benefit from a humidifier.

1. Humidity Improves Skin Health

Winter weather is tough on skin, so it's no wonder that's when we’re most likely to suffer from extreme dryness, which can cause itching and irritation. Dry skin can also contribute to the formation and worsening of fine lines, which increase the appearance of aging. Mayo Clinic recommends keeping home humidity between 30% and 50% for optimal skin health.

2. Humidity Lubricates Lungs and Sinuses

Bloody noses, cracked lips and sinus headaches are all more common in dry weather, warns MedicalNewsToday. So they often crop up in winter and give us problems. Humidifiers can help make it easier to breathe, especially for people who suffer from congestion or sinus issues. Higher humidity can also alleviate the effects of dryness in the throat, eyes and bronchial passages.

3. Humidity Reduces Flu Infections

One of the reasons viral infections increase during the colder months is that viruses thrive in cold, dry air. Airborne viruses like influenza hitch rides on moisture droplets, which become heavier the more moisture there is in the air.

Higher humidity can force droplets to settle onto surfaces, where they can no longer be breathed in because they are effectively out of circulation. It also causes the viruses themselves to degrade more quickly, so they aren’t infectious for as long. Increased humidity levels could also help reduce COVID-19 transmission.

4. Humidity Makes the Room More Comfortable

Higher humidity can make us feel warmer, which is one reason why 90 degrees in Florida can feel hotter than 90 degrees in the Sahara. In turn, lower humidity can make the air feel colder than it is, prompting some people to move the thermostat up in the wintertime to avoid temps that might feel refreshing during the summer. A humidifier can help buffer the seasonal chill.

5. Humidity Preserves the Lifespan of Woodwork

While our health is important, many of us own furniture pieces that we love and that are made of wood. Maybe our favorite heirlooms. Dry air can be murder on hardwood floors and woodwork. Even finished wood will release or absorb moisture relative to the humidity around it, which might cause it to crack or warp when the air gets too dry. Keeping humidity levels as consistent as possible will extend the life of all well-kept wood.

In most regions, humidifiers can take a rest during the summer months, when the air is at its most humid, but they can be invaluable through much of winter in a number of ways. Always keep humidifiers well maintained and the reservoirs clean to avoid introducing harmful bacteria and molds into the air (use distilled water, clean the reservoir frequently, and use fresh water every day — don't let it sit for days with old water). Keeping the right humidity level is important, but staying safe while doing it should always be the top priority. 

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