Why Would You Need a Humidifier?

We are all familiar with that clammy, uncomfortable feeling in the middle of summer, it’s not just the heat that gets to us, those high temperatures  are often accompanied with heavy, moisture laden air which makes our immediate environment what we call ‘humid’. We often associate humidity with negative feelings and see it as something to avoid wherever possible, whether it’s the frizzy hair we dispair about or the soggy t- shirts, we go to great lengths to reduce or escape humidity. In fact the only occasion that many of us choose to remain in a humid environment for any length of time is when we visit the sauna and steam rooms at the gym. These are great for opening up pores in the skin and releasing toxins, encouraging a healthy sweat. This is one advantage of being in a humid environment but there are plenty of other more subtle benefits we may not be aware of.

Typically, the ideal humidity of a room for humans is anywhere between forty and sixty percent, anything above this can create a breeding ground for bacteria and allergens due to the high moisture content in the air, and in fact the same is true of low humidity conditions. A lack of humidity means dry air which can cause throat infections, dry, itchy skin and nosebleeds. We have all suffered the irritating itchiness of red raw, dry skin at some point and while we often blame it on the brand of shower gel we use or that thick, caustic jumper auntie Nora knitted for us last Christmas, but the truth is that dry skin, one of the most common skin complaints, is caused by a lack of humidity.

This problem is easily cured, within the realms of the home or office anyway, with the use of humidifiers. Humidifiers are not as well known as their more famous cousins, dehumidifiers, a godsend for many on those said balmy summer days, but they are equally as useful in creating a comfortable, healthy environment in which to live and work. As well as reducing the risk of infections and ailments related to dry air, humidifiers can also protect hardwood structures found in many modern homes, this is commonly used in the construction of floors, staircases, hand railings and cabinets, it can easily crack if exposed to overly dry air for long periods. Humidifiers are available in a range of formats and sizes from plug in devices, wall mounted radiator-type arrangements all the way up to large industrial units.