During chilly winter months it’s common for the air inside of your home to become dry, and cause issues like nosebleeds, dry eyes, and a sore throat. An effective remedy to dry air is to invest in a humidifier, but the cost of the machine, as well as the cost of the energy to run it, can be prohibitive.
But there are cheaper, eco-friendly alternatives. Here are six to consider.
Placing vases filled with water on a windowsill.
The success of this method relies on the availability of bright sunshine to act as a catalyst for the evaporation process. It can be an effective approach, but also relatively slow.
Placing bowls of water on a radiator.
This technique speeds up evaporation and helps counteract the drying effect of radiator heat. These days, though, most homes have central heating, so this method will only work in older homes.
Hang-drying your clothes.
Although this evaporation technique takes time, it can be effective at adding moisture to the air. You’ll have to wait a while to wear some of your clothes, though.
Showering with the bathroom door open.
This can be a quick and effective way to humidify the air in your bedroom, or in other parts of your home using a bathroom in a common area—just make sure you don’t have any house guests.
Using a stovetop kettle.
Boiling water for your cooking needs, rather than pressing the START button on the microwave, can also be effective at adding moisture to the air in your home. Humidity in the kitchen can permeate surrounding rooms.
Adding houseplants.
Live houseplants can continuously add moisture to the air wherever they’re placed in your home. Adding enough plants to have a significant impact, though, may be pricey. But if you’re in the market for more greenery to spruce-up your interiors anyway, the added expense can be an especially worthwhile investment.
