Spring may be just around the corner, but many of us are still feeling the effects of winter. An easy way to combat the winter blues is to fight back against the dry winter air in your home! These three simple, effective methods are great for increasing humidity both in the dry winter months and in the summer when air conditioners are drying out indoor air.

Get a Humidifier

The most effective way to increase the humidity in your home is to purchase a humidifier. There are many types of humidifiers available, from small portable units to console units designed to humidify an entire house. Even getting a small unit to add moisture to your bedroom can be beneficial (a great idea for small condo bedrooms!) The added humidity is great for your skin and can relieve dry throats, congestion and headaches that can be caused by dry air. It is also great for your houseplants, many of which are native to tropical climates and do best in high humidity. Noticing brown tips or increase leaf drop on your plants? Upping the humidity in the plant’s environment can help reduce these problems!

Boil Water

A simple method that doesn’t require any expensive technology is to boil water! Keeping an uncovered pot of water at a boil on the stove releases moisture as steam, increasing the humidity of the air in your home. While this may not be effective to increase humidity for a whole house, this is great for small apartments and condos. You can also add essential oils to the water for even more benefits! Not only will they make your space smell great, but essential oils can also have health benefits. Eucalyptus and peppermint fight bacteria and viruses in the air, ginger helps to open airways and reduce cold symptoms, and lavender is calming and can help reduce anxiety. Our favourite local source for essential oils is our neighbour, Helen and Hildegard. 

Make a Pebble Tray

This easy, inexpensive DIY project is a good way to increase humidity and is great for your plants! All you need is a tray or shallow dish, pebbles and water. These trays can be set near your plants, or your plants can be set on top of them – being careful not to let the plant sit directly in the water. Setting plants in pots with drainage holes on top of pebble trays also can make it easier to water – the pot can drain directly into the pebble tray! You can also put your plants to work to increase the humidity in your home. Plants like Areca palms, Rubber Plants, Rhapis Palms and Pothos can increase indoor humidity while also purifying the air. Group them together to increase humidity and let them benefit from each other.