Dry skin is a common problem for many people during the winter months. I can tell that the seasons are changing by the condition of my skin—or my kids’ skin. Even here in Vancouver, where winters are more rainy than snowy, we face dry air issues. If you have the same problem, here are some tips to avoid dry skin by increasing the humidity in your home.
1. Grow Houseplants
Houseplants not only look pretty, but they also add humidity to the air in your home. Plants release moisture through a process called transpiration, which is a bit like sweating. They can also help remove toxins from the air.
Make sure to water your houseplants once or twice a week to help with humidity. Look for houseplants that are easy to grow, such as aloe or ivy. Avoid houseplants that require high humidity or a tropical climate to thrive.
2. Hang Laundry to Dry
Hanging laundry to dry not only helps with increasing the humidity in your home, but also lowers your utility bills. If you have a small space, you can get folding laundry racks that you can stow away when not in use. Putting racks in specific areas of your home will increase the humidity there. For example, put drying racks in your bedrooms during the day when you’re out. Hang clothes to dry in your living areas overnight.
3. Buy Flowers
The water in a vase of flowers evaporates, adding humidity to your home. Change the water in cut flowers regularly to avoid dirty or smelly water. Fresh flowers also add brightness to your home during dull winter months. If you don’t like flowers, you can fill decorative vases with water and simply set them around your home.
4. Air-Dry Dishes
Instead of using the heated dry cycle in your dishwasher, open the door a crack at the end of the wash cycle. The dishes will air dry, and the humidity from the wash cycle will add to the humidity level in your home. Not using the dry cycle will also decrease your energy bills.
5. Drink Tea
Boiling water to drink tea can help increase your home’s humidity. Having a cup of tea on the go also encourages me to drink enough water during the day, which can help my dry skin. Boiling the kettle several times before actually remembering to make the tea while the water is hot also increases humidity.
6. Get a Fish
Even a small fish bowl can add some humidity to your home as the water evaporates. Larger aquariums, with their water filters and small waterfalls, will add more humidity. Plus, these are interesting and bright ways to keep a bowl of water sitting around your home. Just remember to feed the fish!
7. Install a Humidifier
The easiest solution to dry skin may be to install a whole-house humidifier. As part of your HVAC system, this humidifier will monitor humidity levels in your home, just as your heating system monitors the temperature. In particularly dry climates, this option ensures optimal humidity for everyone in your home.
Do you suffer from dry skin? How have you tried increasing the humidity in your home?
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