Waking up with dry eyes or itchy skin? A humidifier may help. Placing that humidifier in the right spot in your bedroom could make sleeping and waking up much better experiences. We've researched how to get the maximum benefit from a humidifier based on placement to help you locate one in your room.
Humidifiers work best on a table or stand close to the ventilation system, at least three feet from the bed. Being aware of how air circulates throughout the room, what might be near the humidifier, and the humidifier's access to people, especially children or animals, can help this small device run at its top efficiency and give the desired result safely.
While adding a humidifier may be an easy solution for an individual and household, there are some considerations on how to best implement this small appliance that will enhance the positive results.
Where is the best place to put a humidifier in your bedroom?
Bedrooms can look incredibly different. They are the inner sanctum that becomes a visible reflection of our personalities and interests. For that very reason, there are some considerations to think about before plugging a humidifier into the closest electrical outlet.
When introducing a humidifier into the bedroom, always consider:
- Air Circulation
- Nearby Items
- Access to Others
Air Circulation
It is important to consider how air flows around the room and put the humidifier closer to a ventilation source. As air is introduced into the room through a duct in the ceiling or baseboard, water vapor will be captured by the flow and circulate appropriately. Over humidifying an area can cause bacteria growth, and direct contact should be avoided.
Nearby Items
When an object stores water, first consider what it is being placed on. Wood often warps or mars when water spills on top of it and does not get cleaned up. Therefore, nightstands, bookcases, and dressers made of wood may not be the ideal location for a humidifier. Likewise, while a humidifier can go on the floor, it is not always the best location. If the floor is carpeted or wood, it will soak in any water spilled or leaked from the humidifier.
Also, consider the objects that will be nearby. As water vapor escapes the humidifier, water droplets may accumulate on other items nearby. Treasures and trinkets that are porous may be affected by this process and damaged. When using a humidifier, it is best to provide it some space on a non-porous finish rather than wedge it onto the corner of a surface.
Access to Others
It is important to consider warm-mist humidifiers because the water has to heat up to steam before leaving the device. Small children, babies, or pets that may be able to knock over or put their face above the humidifier would be in jeopardy of hurting themselves. Therefore, a dry, clear surface off the ground is the best location for a humidifier in a bedroom.
For consideration of different bedroom layouts, visit this article: 31 Awesome Decorating Ideas for Large Master Bedrooms
How close should a humidifier be to your bed?
While it may seem sensible to use a humidifier closer to the bed when addressing itchy skin or dry eyes, the humidifier should actually not be closer to the bed than three feet. Due to air circulation, it is important to place the humidifier closer to the spot where air from the HVAC system enters the room.
This may be from the ceiling or a baseboard closer to the floor, but the steam should be located closer to the source in order for water vapor to have a chance to mix and affect the overall humidity of the room.
Can you sleep with a humidifier on all night?
A humidifier should be able to run throughout the night without a problem. Adding water droplets to the air is a gradual process, and the benefits from it happen over a longer period of time. A humidifier is a small appliance and should be unplugged before leaving the house as a best practice.
How long should you run a humidifier in a bedroom?
The EPA has suggested that the average home's optimal humidity ranges between 30% and 50%. The tricky part is knowing how to monitor a room as a humidifier is introduced into the environment. In order to know how humid an area is to begin with and monitor the progress, the use of a hygrometer, a tool that measures humidity, is essential.
Click here to see hygrometers at Amazon.
Indicators that a room may not need more humidity added to it may include an overly warm and sticky feeling to the air. Your skin may feel clammy after spending hours in that specific area. It may create a space where mold or mildew are flourishing. However, the only way to know what the true humidity is in a room is through the use of a hygrometer.
What is the best humidifier for a bedroom?
There are many types of humidifiers. With today's technology, you might pay less than $20 or more than $100. Most humidifiers are less than $50. Some have cooling or aromatherapy abilities within their composition. Some humidifiers may produce noise along with the water vapor. When implementing one of these within a bedroom, make sure to consider the noise level and light capabilities that would be acceptable to the individual trying to sleep.
Click here to find more humidifiers at Amazon.
All humidifiers are in one of two categories. There are warm-mist humidifiers or cool-mist humidifiers. Warm-mist humidifiers create steam, which can be detrimental to children and pets if they are in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Maintaining Humidifiers
A humidifier does need a little care. It should not be placed next to windows. A humidifier is made to contain water as it becomes vapor. This also creates an ideal place for bacteria or mold and mildew to develop if next to the window, for example.
Plants next to windows excel due to the sun's warmth. Humidifiers do not. Also, tap water may have minerals that affect the humidifier. It may run smoother with distilled or purified water, rather than the water that comes from the faucet.
There are other ways to add humidity to the air. If a humidifier is not an option within your household, consider some additional alternatives through this post: How To Increase Humidity In A Room [8 Methods You Should Know]
What are the benefits of sleeping with a humidifier?
Humidifiers play an important role, especially during the winter. A humidifier can help anyone from snoring, to nose bleeds, to chest congestion by re-introducing water into the air within a given space. For those suffering from asthma and allergies, humidifiers are crucial as they help clear and moisten nasal passages and prevent irritants from thriving conditions. By adding moisture, skin and scalp do not have the opportunity to dry out and create dandruff or dry skin.
Adding humidity to the air can have benefits beyond our person. It can even have positive effects within our home reflected in our house plants that flourish with extra moisture and a reduced amount of static electricity that can become prevalent, especially during the winter.
Final Thoughts
Our bedrooms are a personalized sacred space within the home. Humidifiers provide a substantial way to help improve our rest and well-being while working quietly in the background performing an invaluable service to our air quality. This leads to many positives side-effects, not just in our person, but in our home as well.