Humidifiers are a household necessity for western countries especially during the winters. A humidifier is an electrical appliance used to increase the moisture content in the air. When the temperature is too low and the weather is dry it not only causes shivering but also skin problems making it dry. It is also not good for wooden furniture. In places with a temperature less than 10 degrees, things may turn worse with the slightest problem and can lead to serious breathing problems such as asthma. In such cases, the humidifier helps in the rise of the temperature by making the humidity or the moisture content higher.
Based on their use humidifiers are basically of two types – point-of-use or console humidifiers, used for a particular room or area and furnace humidifiers or whole-house humidifiers which is used for providing humidity for the entire house. It depends on the need of the person to choose either of the two, though furnace humidifiers are preferred generally. There are a number of commercial humidifiers available in the market. However natural humidifiers are still preferred as they don’t add to the electric bill and is safe to use with the kids around without causing burns and other such injuries. Given below are some natural humidifiers and some which are not too complex:
1. Indoor fountains: Water when it flows evaporates to some extent and hence naturally increases the moisture content. It is quite easy to install an indoor fountain in your home adding style to the interior design and hearing the soft sweet sound of the water flowing.
2. Keeping plants: Putting plants around the room is also a good idea. Plants release water in the process of transpiration and one of the best is the areca palm. It is found that an areca palm transpires almost 1 liter of water per day. Others are bamboo palm and lady palm.
3. Wet towels: One can keep wet towels (dipped in lukewarm water) hanging around the room. The water will gradually evaporate and add to the humidity in the room.
4. Water tanks: One can keep a fish tank or water tank in the corner of the room. This to some extent increases the humidity.
5. Bamboo fountain: It is a natural humidifier and it enhances the interior beauty and can be a center for sitting with friends and having a chat with them.
6. Zone misting humidifier: Quite similar to water fountains for the interiors, this provides not only for humidity, but also purifies the air. This is best for using in a particular area like bedroom or the dining room.
7. Orange peels as humidifier: These are good humidifying agents and they also provide with the sweet fragrance of orange. It is said to be good for the doors and other wooden furniture.
8. Steel bowl as a humidifier: One idea can be a stainless steel bowl filled with water and a towel placed on it. The towel is dipped in the water with the help of a weight which is kept in the middle of the towel. As the water spreads slowly the towel gets wet and this acts as a humidifier.
9. Cigar humidifier: A cigar humidifier maintains the humidity level to a good extent which is so because of the humidifier being airtight.
10. Eco-designed purifier: This is one water purifying device which is beautiful. If the water left in the cup is poured in the flower it works as a natural humidifier.
Apart from these natural humidifier or humidifying agents, there are other humidifiers which are simple in their structure, consisting only of a fan, a reservoir and a wick such as the cool mist or evaporative humidifier. The wick works as a filter providing large surface area for evaporating. The fan blows the aid towards the water and helps in the evaporating process. However, it needs regular cleansing.
