Humidifiers Are Just as Healthy for Your Home as They Are for Your Sinuses

You’re probably used to popping on a humidifier when you’re sick to ease your stuffy nose symptoms, or pulling it out to help give your winter skin some TLC. But that’s not all these handy household appliances are good for. A humidifier may actually extend the life of your wood furniture and floors, too—not a bad deal for an appliance that you can pick up for less than $50.

Here’s the deal: Wood functions a lot like skin, and the low humidity of winter months can cause it to dry out. “A humidifier can be helpful in raising the relative humidity levels in the drier times of the year, which will minimize shrinkage cracks developing in any wood floors and furniture,” says Todd Schutte, Bona’s director of eLearning.

The ultimate answer to keeping wood furniture and floors in good condition: Make sure the moisture in the air is at a relatively similar level throughout the year. The National Wood Flooring Association recommends a humidity level of 30 to 50 percent to maintain your floors, as well as a consistent temperature of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Wood is hygroscopic, meaning it will absorb moisture or release moisture until it reaches a point of equilibrium given the temperature and relative humidity that it’s exposed to over a period of time,” Schutte says. “The key is to keep both the temperature and humidity levels as consistent as possible year-round, in order to minimize any shrinking or swelling of your wood floors, furniture, or cabinets.” Ideally, Schutte says, you should keep humidity within five percentage points between wet and dry seasons—for example, between 30 and 35 percent.

You can monitor humidity levels through a thermometer/hygrometer combo—they’re available online for as little as $10. This top-rated one is just $20 on Amazon. Another way to keep track? Look to your thermostat; many smart ones are able to track moisture levels.

While you can certainly spend a lot for a fancy humidifier, it’s not necessary: Options abound at the $40 to $50 range. The one from Levoit, above, is a great budget pick.

But if you’re not ready to shell out or you’re stuck waiting on the shipment, there are other ways to add humidity to the air in your home. Try leaving your bath water in the tub until it’s completely cooled, or leaving your clothing out to air dry. Or, you can fill your slow cooker with water and boil it with the lid off in any room of the home for the same effect as a dedicated humifier.

Another bonus of adding humidifiers to your routine? Your houseplants may enjoy higher levels of moisture in the air, too, as they’re braving it through the dry winter months with the heat blasting.

But, says Schutte, make sure that you don’t overdo it. In winter, keep monitoring the humidity so it doesn’t exceed 50%—otherwise, you risk mold growth. And when it starts to warm up and air starts to hold a little more moisture, turn off the humidifier. “In the wetter months, it could raise the humidity levels too much, causing any wood to swell and floors to possibly cup,” Schutte says, meaning the edges of the boards could curl up.

For now, though, plug that humidifier in—your floors will be grateful.