What Does a Humidifier Do? When to Use One and the Benefits

Humidifier

Did you know that Americans suffer from winter skin syndrome? If you want to learn about the benefits of a humidifier, we can help.

In this guide, we’ll answer the question, “What does a humidifier do?”

Want to learn more? Keep reading.

Add Moisture to the Air

If you have dry skin or respiratory symptoms, you’ll want to look into getting a humidifier. A humidifier releases steam or vapor to increase the moisture in the air.

You can get a central humidifier that’s built into your HVAC system to humidify your entire home. You could also get a smaller humidifier for a specific room.

Humidifiers Can Improve Your Cough

Dry air causes people to have painful, dry coughs. When you add humidity to the air, you will also add moisture to your airways. Your cough won’t be as dry, and instead, you’ll release any trapped phlegm.

Humidifiers Help Snorers

When you increase the levels of moisture in the air, you can also reduce snoring. If the air is dry, your airways aren’t well-lubricated. When your airways are dry, your snoring will be a lot worse.

Place a humidifier in your bedroom to relieve some symptoms.

Improve Your Home

Moisture in a home at a certain level is helpful. Your furniture and wood floors last longer.

Humidity helps prevent the wallpaper from cracking. Humid air will also feel warmer compared to dry air. You could save some money on your power bills in the winter.

Add Moisture to Your Lips and Skin

Dry air can cause unpleasant symptoms in your skin. Humidity levels will drop in a dry climate. Your skin will lose its moisture, causing it to feel tight, itchy, or flaky.

Your hands can become dry because your skin there doesn’t have a lot of oil glands. Lips can also get dry because the skin is tender and chaps easily. If you don’t keep up with lip and hand care, the skin can crack.

You can use a lip balm or lotion to regain lost moisture. Yet, adding a humidifier will help add more moisture to your home and re-hydrate your skin.

Soothe Your Dry Scalp and Hair

Your scalp can become irritated and dry due to a lack of moisture in the home. You might begin to itch your scalp and notice dandruff. Hair’s made up of collagen, and it needs a certain level of moisture.

If exposed to dry air for an extended period, your hair could become brittle and dry. Use a humidifier to keep your home at an adequate level of humidity.

Aid Your Sinuses

Low humidity can dry out your sinus passages. A dry sinus passage can lead to bloody noses, sinus pressure, headaches, and more.

If you have a stuffy nose, you can also use a humidifier to clear it out. A humidifier keeps the air humidified and helps the mucous flow. This way, you won’t suffer from a stuffed up nasal passage.

Improve Your Allergies

Do you suffer from allergies? Sneezing, runny noses, and itchy eyes are struggles allergy sufferers deal with often.

People who have severe allergies might find it challenging to focus on work and aren’t as productive.

People tend to use medications to help manage their symptoms. Use a humidifier for allergies to lower the discomfort from allergic reactions.

Vapor will help hydrate your throat and nose and thin out mucus. Also, the hairs in your nose will move more easily.

Your nasal passage will be able to trap dust, bacteria, and other allergens. This way, the allergens won’t enter your respiratory system and cause allergy flare-ups.

Boost the Health of Your Plants

Did you know that putting plants around your home and office can improve your well-being? Most plants need a certain level of humidity.

Plants will lose moisture from the pores in their leaves. The loss of water can occur in a faster manner when the humidity level is dry.

Water that gets absorbed through the roots doesn’t replenish lost moisture fast enough.

Humidifiers will control the level of humidity in your home. You’ll keep your home in the best conditions for your plants and your family.

When You Shouldn’t Use Your Humidifier

Don’t make your home too humid. Otherwise, bacteria and mold can grow. Having too much moisture could lead to harmful health effects.

A moist environment can lead to infections and allergies. Dust mites will thrive in humid environments.

If your family member has a compromised immune system, check with their doctor first. People with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk of infection.

Find out the answer to “Are humidifiers good for babies?”

Tips on How to Use a Humidifier

Aim to keep the humidity level between 30-50 percent. Make sure you check the level of humidity in the room with a hygrometer. Set the machine at 30-50 percent.

Change the water every day. Bacteria can grow in standing water. Unplug the machine and empty the water tank. Make sure you dry the inside surface before refilling the tank with clean water.

When refilling the tank, make sure you only use distilled or pure water. Don’t use tap water.

Tap water can contain minerals that, when released into the air, will cause breathing problems. The minerals can also promote bacterial growth.

Now You Have the Answer to “What Does a Humidifier Do?”

We hope this guide on humidifiers was helpful. Now that you know “what does a humidifier do?” start looking for one.

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