[Home Tips] The indoor environment is too dry, how to humidify it to make it comfortable?
🧐 Why does indoor dryness also occur in Hong Kong?
Many people believe that Hong Kong has high humidity year-round. However, in autumn and winter (especially from November to February), due to the influence of the northeast monsoon, outdoor humidity can drop below 40%. In addition,
- Turning on the air conditioner or heater (heater, air conditioner) for a long time will remove moisture from the air
- Overuse of dehumidifiers (dehumidification intended to prevent mold but resulting in excessive drying)
- Seal windows to reduce natural moisture entry
As a result, indoor humidity can drop below 30%, causing:
- 😖Dry and itchy skin
- 👁Dry eyes
- 👃Dry nasal cavity or even nosebleed
- 🌱The tips of plant leaves turn yellow
- 🪵Wooden floors and furniture shrink and deform
🔍 Comfortable humidity standard (Hong Kong home reference)
| Indoor humidity range | Somatosensory | suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| Below 30% | Too dry, peeling skin, excessive static electricity | Humidification required |
| 40%-60% | Optimal range , body comfort, home safety | maintain |
| More than 70% | Too much humidity can easily cause mold and breed dust mites | Dehumidification required |
💬 Let me tell you:
The most comfortable humidity for the human body and furniture is about 45%-55% . Too low will cause dryness, and too high will cause mold, so we need to find the "golden mean" 🌈.
💪 Practical methods for indoor humidification in Hong Kong
1️⃣ Humidifier (most direct)
- Ultrasonic type (quiet, energy-saving, fine mist)
- Warm mist (heat sterilization, warmer in winter)
- Hybrid (combining the advantages of both)
💡 Editor's Tip:
- Clean the water tank regularly to avoid the growth of bacteria or mold
- Choose an automatic humidity sensing function to avoid over-humidification
- If there are children or elderly people at home, warm mist is safer (to reduce the risk of cold mist being too cold)
2️⃣ Place water source indoors
- Place a dish of water near a heater or fan to humidify using evaporation
- Add a water tray next to the plant pot to increase local humidity
- Place a water tray near the window to allow sunlight to heat and evaporate
💬 Advantages: Cheap and easy to use 💬 Disadvantages: Slow humidification, care should be taken to prevent stagnant water from breeding mosquitoes
3️⃣ Planting green plants indoors🌿
- Plants release water during photosynthesis and transpiration
- Recommended: Chlorophytum, Peace Lily, Ivy, Monstera
- Plants can also improve air quality
💡 Editor's Tip:
To keep plants healthy, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, as this will attract mosquitoes.
4️⃣ Wet towel humidification method
- Hang a damp towel in front of a heater or fan
- Hot air or drafts will cause moisture to evaporate quickly
💬 Suitable for quick humidification in a short time, but pay attention to the cleanliness of the towel
5️⃣ Open the door after taking a shower to use the steam 🚿
- After taking a hot shower, open the bathroom door and let the steam drift into the living room or bedroom.
- Suitable for quickly increasing humidity in winter
6️⃣ Use steam when cooking
- When cooking soup or boiling water, do not turn on the range hood immediately (keep the steam for a short time)
- But be careful about kitchen fumes and don't do this for a long time.
🚫 Common Humidification Mistakes (We’ll Help You Avoid Them)
- Excessive humidification → Indoor humidity exceeding 70% is prone to mold
- If the humidifier is not cleaned for a long time , bacteria and mold will enter the lungs through the mist
- Using unfiltered tap water → minerals settle, producing a white powder
- Ignoring the hygrometer → Blind humidification, unable to accurately control
📌 Editor's Summary
In Hong Kong, to avoid excessive dryness and humidity indoors, it is recommended to:
- Buy a hygrometer first to monitor indoor humidity in real time📟
- In winter or after dehumidification, when the humidity is below 40%, humidification starts
- A two-pronged approach using a humidifier and natural evaporation
- Maintaining indoor humidity at 45%-55% is the most comfortable
- Clean the humidification equipment regularly to keep the water clean
💬 Editor's Recommendation:
🌀Ultrasonic humidifier (daily use) + 🌿Indoor plants (long-lasting) + 🚿Bathroom steam (quick humidification)
This way, you can keep your skin moisturized, breathe comfortably, and keep your home safe even in the dry season, truly "being wet and comfortable" 👍💧.
