Do you find that your home feels more stuffy and suffocating? If it feels like the air is too damp, then the humidity at home may be too high. This can have negative effects on you and your family’s health if it goes on.
Those with weak lungs and chronic respiratory problems are the most vulnerable to a humid home. It can trigger allergies and cause itching in your throat and eyes. Germs and bacteria can also grow in humid air, especially when it is 60 percent above relative humidity. This can be inhaled by kids and immunocompromised people.
When it comes to your home itself, high humidity can increase mold growth in your walls and furniture. Moist air vapor will get trapped in the walls and floors, causing serious damage. The moisture will also cause your windows to fog and drip, which will cause rotting near its edges.
For this reason, it is important to maintain proper humidity levels at home. Luckily, this issue can easily be remedied, and doing the following things will help keep your home healthy.
Create proper air ventilation
The first thing that you should do is make sure that your house is ventilated. Make sure that fans are on, and the HVAC system is working properly. Take advantage of all these to get air circulating inside and outside your home. These will make the vapor evaporate and turn into cool air. Opening more windows would be a huge help as well.
Most of the moisture in the air is actually a result of your daily activities, such as showering and cooking. When the vapor from those activities gets trapped, it can make the air inside more humid. This is why you should increase ventilation in these areas. Having food exhausts will be a huge benefit for the kitchen, and lowering the shower temperature will reduce moisture as well. ;
Protect your furniture
Furniture, especially those made of wood, are vulnerable to humid weather. So to prevent any mold and fungal growth, you should get the right coating for them. Even when it doesn’t seem like your humidity is that high, it would still go a long way in protecting and prolonging its lifespan.
When it comes to fabric furniture, you want to focus on dust-proof material. This is because the dust can mix with the moisture, making it harder to clean. Leather furniture can have anti-mold and moisture-proof oil. It will also help reduce discoloration whenever it gets wet. Plants also naturally produce moisture, so make sure to move the plants away on some days.
For wood furniture, experts say that you should place them away from ventilations, fireplaces, radiators, and windows. That is because they can possibly absorb the moisture that passes through these vents and windows. Similarly, it is best to keep them away from prolonged sunlight exposure. Certain coatings and polishes can also be added to the wooden furniture to prevent it from absorbing water and moisture. This may be worth getting if you live in an area that rains frequently.
Get natural dehumidifiers
Another great way to regulate your humidity at home is by adding natural dehumidifiers. Though we mentioned before that plants can increase humidity, certain types are known to do the opposite. These are the epiphytes plants. Unlike other plants that release moisture, these grow by absorbing moisture in the air. Examples of them are orchids and tillandsias. Hanging plants like this are perfect for areas with moisture. Ferns are also good options as well.
Getting certain materials that dry easily can reduce the build-up of water vapor in the air as well, Coir doormats, for instance, can decrease moisture from shoes before it can even get into your house. Insulated curtains also help in regulating heat inside and evaporating moisture.
If you have the money for it, Himalayan salt lamps also do a great job at absorbing moisture in high humid areas. This process is called hygroscopy and more than just absorbing moisture, it traps it in the salt as well. In fact, this item has been known to help clear out sinuses, and it can actually signal you if your room is too humid.
Check your plumbing
Lastly, it would do you good to check if your house has any leaks. Dripping waters and leaks can increase moisture in the air without you realizing it. Make sure to look out for peeling paint or mildly smell in some of your rooms. This can be a sign that there is a leak and humidity is accumulating.
