4 Ways a Humidifier Can Improve Your Health

Static in your hair and sparks flying when you touch things are sure signs the air in your house is too dry. And an arid home can negatively affect your health.

“When the air is dry, your respiratory system just isn’t happy,” says pulmonologist Sobia Farooq, MD. “Even if you have no medical problems at all, you can feel the effects. Your skin and nasal passages get dry — all the way down to your lungs.”

But are humidifiers the solution? Oftentimes, the answer is yes. Dr. Farooq highlights their health benefits. She also shares essential tips on proper care and maintenance to ensure safe and effective use.

Are humidifiers good for you?

“Dry air can irritate your nose and lungs, potentially aggravating existing conditions,” Dr. Farooq explains. “A humidifier is one of the best ways to improve indoor air quality and support better breathing.”

Dr. Farooq emphasizes that everyone can benefit from having a humidifier at home.

“Think of humidifiers as a preventive measure,” she suggests. “When the air lacks proper humidity, it becomes uncomfortable. Investing in a humidifier is an investment in your health. If you use one — and use it correctly — you’ll notice the difference and feel better.”

Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of humidifiers:

• Central humidifier. Installed directly into your home’s heating and air conditioning system, this type controls humidity levels throughout the entire house. While it’s the most expensive option, Dr. Farooq notes it’s also the most effective.
• Evaporator. This device uses a moistened filter to create humidity that a fan then disperses into the room.
• Impeller humidifier. This option produces a cool mist by using rapidly rotating disks to push moisture into the air.
• Steam vaporizer. Powered by electricity, this device heats water and cools it before releasing vapor into the room. Vaporizers are portable and can be easily moved from one room to another.
• Ultrasonic humidifier. Like an impeller humidifier, this type generates a cool mist using ultrasonic vibrations to distribute moisture throughout the room.

How humidifiers help

They’re not complicated machines, but humidifiers can seriously improve your life … and even your living space. That’s right! They’re even good for your furniture!

Dr. Farooq explains the health benefits of humidifier use.

1. Improving congestion and cough

Keeping your upper respiratory tract properly moisturized can help it function more smoothly. A humidifier also helps thin mucus, making coughing or blowing your nose more effective.

2. Reducing asthma and allergy flare ups

Adding moisture to the air can soothe irritation and reduce inflammation in your airways, helping them become less reactive. However, it’s important to maintain indoor humidity below 50 percent. Also ensure your humidifier’s kept clean to avoid potential issues. (More on that in a bit.)

3. Bettering sleep

Running a humidifier at night can help promote restful sleep in several ways.

When your airways are dried out, you’re more likely to snore. You’re also at a greater risk of waking up coughing or having your sleep interrupted by unpleasant symptoms like nosebleeds and dry mouth.

4. Moisturizing your skin, hair and nails

When the air has just the right amount of moisture content, Dr. Farooq says it makes a difference you can see. Your skin’s less likely to crack, itch and chap during the cold winter months.

Upping the humidity can make your hair similarly resilient, reducing split ends and static, improving texture, taming frizz and upping the shine factor. Some people even find that it makes their haircare products more effective.

And let’s not forget about your fingernails and toenails. During the wintertime, they can become dry and brittle. Using a humidifier can improve their strength, thickness and flexibility.

How often to run a humidifier

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends keeping your home’s humidity level between 30% and 50%. So, plan to run a humidifier whenever your household falls below that metric.

How often you run a humidifier depends on many factors including:

• The type of humidifier you have
• How large the space is
• How low the humidity is
• The symptoms you’re experiencing

Your best bet: Check the operating instructions for your humidifier. You may need to run yours for as little as two hours. But some units are most effective when they run for 10 or 12 hours.

Can you add essential oils or anything else to it?

If you enjoy aromatherapy, you may be wondering if you can add a few drops of fragrance to your humidifier.

The (unsatisfying) answer is: It depends. But it’s usually not a good idea!

To be safe, check the manufacturer’s instructions before adding anything to the water in your humidifier. And keep the following out of the reservoir:

• Essential oils. While some humidifiers are designed to diffuse essential oils, most aren’t. And using essential oils in a device that’s not built for them can damage the humidifier. “Certain essential oils can have implications for indoor air quality and could potentially impact respiratory health,” Dr. Farooq explains. “So, it’s crucial to exercise caution.”
• Vinegar. Regularly sanitizing your humidifier with vinegar is a great way to keep it clean. But that means using vinegar during the cleaning process, not adding it to the water and running the unit.
• Decongestant Rubs. Avoid using humidifiers to disperse products like Vicks VapoRub®, Mentholatum®, or Vaporex® into the air. These ointments can damage your humidifier and may contain ingredients that are unsafe for some people. In certain cases, they can even worsen specific medical conditions. (Note: Some decongestant brands offer steam vaporizers designed to safely disperse their products. Always review the ingredients and consult your healthcare provider before trying these options.)

What to keep in mind

You need to keep tabs on your humidifier to ensure it’s clean and in proper working order, Dr. Farooq says. Here are some basic rules to ensure your humidifier works for you, not against you:

• Find the right spot. Don’t place humidifiers in confined spaces, because excessive humidity can cause mold, mildew and bacteria to flourish.
• Use the right water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using filtered, demineralized or distilled water in humidifiers. This helps prevent the release of impurities and organic materials often found in tap water into the air in your room.
• Refresh the water. Room-sized humidifiers use a gallon of water every 24 hours. Dr. Farooq recommends changing the water daily to avoid any mold or bacteria growing in standing water.
• Clean your humidifier regularly. Wash and sanitize any buckets or filter systems every two to three days.
• Change your filter. If you have a central humidifier, change the filter at least as often as the manufacturer recommends, or once a month.
• Check the humidity level. Check your home’s humidity level every few days, because too much humidity (that is, over 50 percent) can cause lung problems, too. High moisture levels in the air can trigger allergies and asthma, and promote the growth of mold, bacteria, mildew and dust mites.
• Consider purchasing a hygrometer. These devices monitor the amount of moisture in the air circulating throughout your home. (And keep in mind that some humidifiers come with humidistats built into the unit.)
• Know when it’s time to replace your humidifier. Does your humidifier have stuck-on mineral deposits that are difficult or impossible to clean? Then it’s time to put it out to pasture and get a new one.

If you have any concerns that your humidifier could be negatively impacting your health — especially your respiratory health — Dr. Farooq urges you to stop using it and contact your provider.