Humidifiers to the rescue: and they can be used to combat mold growing in your home
There are parts of the world where humidifiers can be found in every home; then, there are areas of the world where they are almost unheard of. So, what is a humidifier used for? And how can we use one to prevent the growth of mold in the home?
Firstly, as the name suggests, humidifiers are used to raise the humidity levels in a home. This may seem somewhat odd at first as most believe that "humidity = mold = health problems". But in reality, fungi and mold develop where there is too much humidity and where there is neither adequate ventilation nor sunlight. On the other hand, homes that are too dry (i.e. with very low humidity levels) are also bad for one's health: skin gets dry and flaky, breathing becomes more difficult, eyes get irritated, allergies can arise and more. And when one has a cold or a cough, dry air only makes this symptom worse, while a little extra humidity can be beneficial.
Additionally, humidifiers can also be used to spread therapeutic or other beneficial perfumes, scents and aromas throughout the home!
The various types of humidifiers
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There are humidifiers for all budgets and they come in many different models. That said, there are three main categories of humidifiers:
- Hot humidifiers: these humidifiers heat the water in a tank with electrodes powered by electricity. When the water comes to the boil, it generates steam which exits a nozzle and spreads throughout the room. These humidifiers are cheap, but they do not last long and consume a lot of power.
- Ultrasonic humidifiers: the ultrasonic frequencies produced by these humidifiers generates steam. Being a "cold" process, the temperature of the steam is the same as that of the surrounding environment.
- Evaporative humidifiers: these are the most expensive and efficient of the humidifiers. They suck in air from the room via a fan and pass it through a humid honeycomb filter. In addition to generating steam in this way, they purify the air too.
- Rotator humidifier: this type of humidifier is considered more suitable for those with children at home, given that it does not use hot electrodes but rather a rotating disk which produces minute droplets of water which are released into the air.
Some of these humidifiers can also be used with essential oils, releasing a perfumed steam into the home.
In summer, or particularly dry periods, using a humidifier can make your home much more pleasant to be in - and healthier too!
Use the humidifier with essential oils: combats mold, and more!
Essential oils can be used to combat mold and tea tree essential oil tops the list for this. The instructions for your humidifier will let you know how many drops of essential oil you can insert. Normally, 5 drops is the recommended dosage (along with distilled water, of course) and the running time is typically about 30 minutes for this amount (hot steam humidifiers can run for longer - check the manufacturer's instructions).
There are also those who recommend putting essential oil on the humidifier filter: a couple of drops at most, before reassembling and turning on the appliance. And of course, the filter will need to be moistened according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Other essential oils that are good for your health and can be used with suitable humidifiers are:
- Lavender, which helps one relax and is particularly suitable for the bedroom;
- Eucalyptus or peppermint, for when you want to clear clogged airways;
- Lemon, which with its fresh and energizing scent can help you concentrate and put you in a good mood.
In short: seek to maintain ideal humidity levels (of between 40 and 60%) and augment the useful of your humidifier by using beneficial, perfumed essential oils with it. Do you use a humidifier in you home? If not, will you now?
