ACCUWEATHER READY Updated Feb. 27, 2020 2:48 PM
The weather's gotten colder, and you're affected by the winter dry air. Despite cranking up the heat, you feel the air quality decreasing and allergy symptoms (such as dry throat and itchy nose) coming on. You even swear it's worse than it usually is. In fact, you're probably right. Indoor allergies tend to be worse in the wintertime because you're trapped indoors. But you don't have to suffer this winter. Here are 14 ways to defeat winter dry air and raise the air quality in your home.
Photo by Michal Jarmoluk
1. Clean more often for better air quality
The majority of Americans spend 22 hours indoors. In the wintertime, that number's bound to go up, which can make winter dry air insufferable. A bunch of living beings cooped up in one place with no ventilation is bound to cause problems. Make sure you dust and vacuum more frequently than usual. This is crucial in the fight against winter dry air. The frequent cleanings can keep the mold, dust, and pet dander levels down at more acceptable levels for better air quality.
2. Open some windows to air out your home
This may seem counter-intuitive but opening some windows during wintertime can indeed fight dry air in winter. This allows fresh air to circulate and push stale, winter dry air out. As a result, you'll have much better air quality in your home and your nose won't feel so dry and itchy anymore. You can also get rid of some indoor pollution when you open your home's windows.
(AP Photo/Angie Wang)
3. Have your home's HVAC system inspected
It may seem like your HVAC system (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) is working perfectly, but in reality, it may have issues and isn't performing the best it can. Your indoor pollution may be worse than you think it is. Stuffy pollution will make the winter dry air worse. Well in advance of wintertime, have your HVAC system inspected and repaired if necessary. That way, you're sure it's working correctly when you need it to. This gets you the best air quality possible.
Photo by Ilya Shakir
4. Stop using wood pellet stoves and fireplaces
If, instead of using an HVAC system, you have a wood stove or fireplace, stop using those. The indoor pollution is horrible on these things, which can also contribute to the winter dry air. If you must build a fire during a winter storm, then make sure you use clean and dry wood. Plus, only burn it for a short period of time with excellent ventilation. You can also consider getting a gas-fueled fireplace instead to combat winter dry air.
Photo by Roman Koval
5. Fight winter dry air with a humidifier
One of the best ways to fight winter dry air is to get a humidifier. This will raise the humidity in your home and let you and your family breathe easier. When you humidify the indoor air, it won't feel as grating each time you inhale and exhale. The wintertime won't have to be so unbearable anymore while you spend most of your time indoors.
Molekule Air Purifiers
6. Get an air purifier in addition to a humidifier
In addition to a humidifier, you should also get an air purifier. While the humidifier raises the humidity in your home, an air purifier can remove common allergens like mold, pet dander, and dust. When you combine an air purifier with more frequent cleaning, it'll make breathing much easier on your lungs. The indoor air will make it easier to breathe than compared to the winter dry air.
Photo by Binyamin Mellish
7. Find and fix leaks in your home
If there's cold air getting into your home, it'll counteract your heater. In turn, you'll crank it up more to compensate, and what you'll end up with is low humidity and poor air quality. A humidifier can only do so much on its own; you need to find and fix any cold air leaks you might have. You may also want to get a whole home humidifier. Staying warm while combating winter dry winter air is a two-prong attack
Photo by Elle Hughes
8. Get indoor plants for better air quality
Plants are great at both cleaning the air and removing harmful toxins, so the air quality is pristine. Not only are they pretty, but they'll also reduce your indoor pollution. If you don't have a green thumb, you may be worried about plant care. But there are plenty of indoor plants that are easy to take care of, so it won't hurt to try having a few around! Some even thrive in the winter dry air!
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
9. Wear extra clothes in the winter
Instead of turning up the thermostat, you should wear extra clothes. This will have the same effect as turning up the thermostat, but without contributing to the winter dry air. As a result, you'll stay warm while still breathing easy. Enjoy better air quality and less winter dry air.
Photo by Evgen Prozhyrko
10. Hang wet laundry on your radiator to reduce dry air
If you've ordered a humidifier but it hasn't arrived yet, you can simulate a humidifier by hanging your wet laundry on your radiator. Not only will this help humidify your indoor air, but it'll also get your clothes dry in a flash. You won't have to hang your laundry out in the cold winter air.
Photo by Becca Tapert
11. Use your stovetop more in the wintertime
Do you cook a lot? This is a no-brainer way to balance out the winter dry air. You can rethink your recipes for the winter to help your indoor air quality. If you can choose between using the stovetop or oven, always choose the stovetop. Cooking on the stove will release moisture into the indoor air for better humidity, while the oven will dry it out.
Photo by Orlova Maria
12. Spray down your curtains to boost humidity levels
Fill up a spray bottle and spritz all the curtains in your home with it. During the day, the water will evaporate from the curtains and the moisture will be released into your indoor space for improved humidity. If you have your windows open at the same time, this can also ventilate your home while speeding up the evaporation rate.Sprucing up the drapes is a great way to break up the stuffiness the winter dry air brings.
Photo by Maddi Bazzocco
13. Take baths to humidify the air
Are you used to showering? Take baths this wintertime instead to humidify your home! Not only will you get a chance to soak in some warm bathwater and relax, but you can also help boost the humidity in your home. Once you get out, don't drain the water and leave the bathroom door open. The leftover steam will get rid of winter dry air and by default, your dry throat.
Photo by Michal Jarmoluk
14. Leave a wet sponge out for better indoor air
After you wash the dishes, soak the sponge and leave it out. To maximize this effect, you can soak multiple sponges and leave them in various rooms of your home. The more, the better, as you'll have lots of moisture for the indoor air to suck up.
Defeat dry air at home this winter
Whenever winter rolls around, you may suffer from worse air quality. But with our above tips, you can beat it and ensure that winter dry air doesn't strike your home. With better indoor air quality, you'll be able to get rid of annoying wintertime symptoms, such as an itchy and dry throat, or a dry nose. Remember: the main key is to raise the humidity. Once you do, you'll be able to stay warm and comfortable while keeping the air quality good.To keep a good eye out for the weather in your area, be sure to have our weather news page bookmarked so you can refer to it easily!
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