6 Ways to Humidify Your House (Without a Humidifier)

Are your clothes full of annoying static? Are the kids taking far too much pleasure in zapping each other with a well-placed static electricity discharge? A dry house is probably to blame. During the winter months, low humidity becomes an issue in many homes, leading to these problems and others, including nosebleeds, dry skin and increased susceptibility to colds and flus.

Although humidifiers are often an easy fix, they can be costly to purchase, and running them day and night can send an already high winter energy bill soaring even higher.

Easy Ways to Add Moisture to Dry Air

Before investing in an expensive humidifier to resolve dry air concerns, consider these green and low-effort strategies for adding moisture to the air in your home.

1. Get Houseplants

Transpiration is the process by which moisture evaporates from the leaves and stems of plants, adding much needed humidity to the air in your home. A dry home can be tough on houseplants as the battle for humidity wages, so be sure to keep them well-watered.

2. Put Vases in Sunny Places

Place water-filled vases on sunny window sills. The sunshine will slowly evaporate the water, releasing moisture into the air.

3. Cook on the Stovetop

Increase your stovetop cooking to take advantage of incidental moisture release. Switching to a tea kettle instead of relying on the microwave to heat your morning cup goes a long way.

4. Leave the Door Open When Showering

When taking a nice, steamy shower, leaving the door open is an easy way to add a little extra moisture to the air in surrounding areas. If baths are more your bag, don’t drain the tub when you get out. Instead, wait for the water to cool first, to take advantage of the residual heat that will add a little humidity to the air.

5. Place Bowls of Water on Registers

This is probably the most effective of these moisture-boosting tips. Place metal or ceramic bowls full of water on heat registers or radiators to increase humidity in a room. You may be surprised by how much water is released during cold months when the furnace is going full tilt.

6. Dry Clothes on Racks

Use a rack to dry clothes at room temperature instead of tossing them in the dryer. It takes a little longer, but the moisture released into the house by drying clothes is an effective way to give the humidity in your home a much needed boost.