In the severe winter months, we all turn the heating up a bit higher. Warm and cosy but not ideal for the humidity. Healthy indoor air is very important, not only for yourself, your children, pets and plants, but for your furniture too.
Avoid illnesses
Air that is too dry can cause many illnesses such as an itchy throat, dry cough, flaky skin, chapped lips, dry and irritated eyes, headaches, etc. Reasons enough to ensure that there is sufficient humidity. Healthy atmospheric humidity is between 40 and 60%. This avoids many ailments and you prevent wood from warping, which results in cracks or jammed doors.
Hygrometer
The humidity in your home can be measured with a ‘hygrometer’. Ensure that this meter isn’t installed on the inside of an external wall or near a window since the humidity is higher there than in the rest of the house. In addition to the correct humidity, it’s also important to maintain a good temperature: during the day that is 21°C, at night that is minimum 14°C.
Tips
You can maintain humidity with water reservoirs (that you attach to the radiator) or with a humidifier. Ventilating your house sufficiently, dusting regularly and displaying plants that release water vapour also contribute to good, healthy air.