As the season changes and temperatures begin to plummet, you might notice the air becoming drier and drier. But why is the air so dry in winter? Cold air holds onto less moisture than warm air, and you can feel it.
Dry air doesn’t have to be another one of your winter woes, though. Here are six reasons you should add a humidifier to your winter prep shopping list this year.
1. Give Your Skin Some TLC
Lousy weather, fewer options, and busy holiday seasons are just a few cons of moving in winter. You can add dry air to that list. Whether you’re making a big move during the winter or are new to a colder climate, be prepared for how it can affect your skin.
Does low humidity cause dry skin? In the summer, humidity in the air makes it harder for moisture (like sweat) to evaporate from your skin, which is why a humid heat feels so much hotter than a dry one. On the other hand, the lack of humidity in the winter means the moisture on your skin evaporates much quicker, easily drying out your skin.
Not only does winter air dry out skin, but the heater you use to warm your apartment can make it worse. A humidifier can put more moisture into the air and help alleviate your parched skin.
2. Make Sleep More Comfortable
Along with drying out your skin, winter weather can also dry out and irritate your nose and throat. This can leave you waking up in the middle of the night or in the mornings with an itchy, dry throat. Using a humidifier to combat dry air can help keep your throat and nose in good condition.
If you snore, dry air can make it worse. Consider getting a humidifier to moisturize your airways and help you sleep more peacefully. The white noise humidifiers produce can be another great benefit for anyone who can’t sleep in silence.
3. Keep Your Houseplants Happy
Plants are a great way to decorate your apartment, and wintertime doesn’t have to mean letting all your favorite plants shrivel up and die. If you want your plants to thrive, you need to keep them happy. Your plants get to enjoy the natural humidity of the summer months, but they need a helping hand during the winter. Wondering how to add moisture to the air? With a humidifier! Put a humidifier in your apartment to help it reach the ideal indoor humidity level for your plants.
4. Stop the Spread of Germs
From the common cold to the flu, there are plenty of illnesses to worry about during winter. If you want to curb the spread of germs and viruses, invest in a good humidifier. Viruses survive well in dry climates, so when you increase how much moisture is in the air, it can be harder for a virus to survive. When using a humidifier, you just need to make sure you clean it well because a dirty humidifier can act as a breeding ground for bacteria.
5. Soothe Symptoms if You Do Get Sick
There are few things worse than the dry throat, stuffy nose, and cough that come with a seasonal cold or flu. If you end up sick during the winter, a humidifier won’t cure you, but it can help lessen some of the symptoms. The added moisture in the air can soothe your dry throat, relieve sinus irritation, and make your dry coughs more productive.
6. Warm Up Your Apartment on a Budget
If you’re looking for cheap ways to heat up a room, a humidifier might be the solution. So, does a humidifier make a room feel warmer? As mentioned before, humid air in the summer feels hotter, and the same goes for the humid air created by a humidifier. By adding moisture to the air, you can make a room or your whole apartment feel warmer, which can cut down on your heating costs during the frigid months.
How to Use a Humidifier in Winter
Now that you know a humidifier is a winter must-have for your apartment, how do you actually use one? For starters, you want to make sure you keep the humidity at a good level. What should the humidity level be in your house? Ideally, it should fall between 30% and 50%.
How much humidity is too much? Just like not enough humidity can cause problems, too much humidity can come with its own issues. As you go over that 50% mark, you risk your apartment feeling stuffy, condensation building on the walls and surfaces, and the growth of bacteria and mold. The bacteria and mold, in turn, can trigger your allergies. Regularly check the humidity level, and make sure you have the right humidifier setting in winter.
Find the Right Apartment with ApartmentSearch
Adding a humidifier to your apartment can help resolve multiple issues and keep you comfortable all winter long. Still, winter weather can be a drag, especially if you’re not in the right apartment. Find a new apartment — and perhaps make the move to warmer weather — with ApartmentSearch! Our advanced filters make it easy to find an apartment, whether you’re looking for a long-term lease, short-term rental, or to downsize.
