There are many reasons why you would want to increase humidity in your home. In some cases, you may want moist air so your plants will thrive. At other times, you may require additional moisture in the home because of the dryness of your skin. Fortunately, there are several ways to up your home's humidity and make your space more comfortable for both you and your plants.
When it comes to houseplants, it is important to make sure they have the moisture needed to remain healthy. Along with general plant watering, you may find that misting the plants from time to time will increase humidity levels and help alleviate some of the dryness found in your home. Keep in mind that the misting can quickly become a daily chore. A better solution is to invest in a small humidifier and place the device in the general area of your houseplants. This will cut the dryness a bit, and allow your plants to enjoy both a proper temperature and degree of relative humidity, without increasing the humidity throughout the home.
People who use heating sources such as radiators or gas space heaters often find that the heat emanating from these devices will dry inside air very quickly. In order to put a little moisture back into your home, try this simple trick to increase humidity levels. Place a small container of water, roughly the size of a mayonnaise jar lid, near the heat source. The water will evaporate and release a small amount of moisture into the air. This is often enough to prevent your skin from becoming dry, but not so much that your home begins to take on a tropical feel.
It is also possible to purchase and install humidifiers that are capable of increasing humidity levels throughout your home. Many of the heating and cooling systems installed in homes today include some type of humidifier that automatically adjusts to changes in climate. The end result is that your home always has the ideal amount of moisture in the air to keep you and your houseplants comfortable.
If you do not have a central air system, it is possible to purchase standalone units that will lower and increase humidity in the home on an ongoing basis. These devices plug directly into standard wall sockets, and can be positioned in discreet places around the house. One advantage to using one or two of these devices is that you can maintain higher humidity in rooms where there are plants, while opting for less in other areas of the home, such as the bedrooms. Standalone humidifiers that work well for single or multiple rooms are usually found at home and garden shops, as well as many building supply stores.