Make Your Own Aroma Humidifier: A Simple Diy Guide

Dry air at home can cause discomfort, especially for those with asthma, allergies, or skin conditions. While a humidifier can help, it can be expensive and only effective for a single room. Fortunately, there are DIY ways to create your own homemade aroma humidifier. One simple method involves using a drinking glass, bowl, or container with a skewer and either a sponge or cloth wick. By placing the setup in front of a fan, you can increase humidity in the surrounding area. Additionally, you can explore other options like boiling water with essential oils, utilizing houseplants, or placing containers of water near heat sources.

Use a fan and a water-filled container with a cloth wick

How to Make an Aroma Humidifier at Home

Method

This method is a simple and inexpensive way to make a homemade aroma humidifier. Here's what you need to do:

Firstly, gather your supplies. You will need a drinking glass, bowl, or container; a skewer long enough to rest across the container; a cloth; a fan; and water.

Now, it's time to assemble your humidifier. Balance the skewer across the lip of your chosen container. Take your cloth and fold it in half, then drape it over the skewer so that it hangs into the glass or container. Ensure the cloth reaches the water when the container is filled.

Next, fill the container with water. Make sure the water level is high enough so that the lower portion of the cloth is immersed. As time passes, the water will naturally evaporate from the surface of the water and the cloth.

Finally, position your fan behind the setup. Turn it on to a low setting, ensuring the airflow is directed towards the centre of the room. This will help circulate the water vapour throughout your home.

You can create multiple humidifiers using this method and place them in different areas of your home, such as your bedroom or living room.

Precautions

When using this homemade humidifier, it's important to exercise caution. Always be careful when dealing with water and electricity. Ensure the fan remains stable and does not tilt, and avoid spilling water onto the fan. Keep the homemade humidifier out of the reach of children and pets to prevent any accidents.

Additionally, be mindful of the humidity levels in your home. While comfortable levels of humidity range from 30 to 50%, higher levels can encourage the growth of mould and pests. Regularly monitor and adjust your humidification methods to maintain optimal humidity.

Boil water on the stove

Boiling water on the stove is an effective way to add humidity to your home. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do it safely and efficiently:

First, fill a kettle or a pot with water. Ensure you use distilled water to avoid the buildup of minerals, which can damage your stove and release air pollutants. Keep in mind that tap water contains minerals and chemicals that can be harmful, such as magnesium, calcium, and iron.

Next, place the kettle or pot on the stove and turn it on. If using an electric stove, be cautious to avoid any spills or splashes that could result in electrical hazards. For gas stoves, ensure proper ventilation to prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, which can be dangerous.

Let the water reach a rolling boil and maintain this for a few minutes. The boiling water releases clouds of vapour into the air, adding moisture. You can enhance this effect by adding a few drops of essential oil or fresh herbs to the water for a pleasant fragrance.

It is important to supervise the boiling water at all times. Do not leave the stove unattended, and keep children and pets away from the area. Ensure the water level remains adequate by refilling if needed and avoid boiling the vessel dry, as this could damage the kettle or pot and create a fire hazard.

After a few minutes of boiling, turn off the stove and carefully remove the kettle or pot. Pour the hot water down the sink, being cautious of the steam and hot surfaces. Allow the kettle or pot to cool completely before handling or washing.

By following these steps, you can safely and effectively use your stove to boil water and increase the humidity in your home, creating a more comfortable environment without the need for expensive humidifiers.

Place containers of water on heat sources

Placing containers of water on heat sources is a simple, effective, and cheap way to make an aroma humidifier at home. The heat will cause the water to evaporate, putting valuable moisture in the air.

For wood stoves and hot-water radiators, place a sturdy ceramic or metal pot directly on top. If you have to move the pot, be sure to use well-insulated pot holders or heat-resistant gloves as the pot will become very hot.

For wall vents and wall-mounted electric heat registers, a bowl of water on the floor beside them will do the trick. Just be mindful and use heat-safe bowls to avoid melted plastic, breaking glass, or spills.

If you have an old-school (non-electric) radiator with a flat surface, you can also place a small bowl of water on top of the radiator unit.

You can also place small bowls of water on top of heating floor grates to help add some extra humidity back into the air during the winter months.

If you are placing containers of water on heat sources, be sure to keep an eye on the water level so you don't end up heating an empty vessel, and don't leave your heat source unattended.

Hang laundry to dry inside

Making an aroma humidifier at home is simple and can help to improve the air quality in your home. Here are some ways to make your own humidifier:

Fan Humidifier

Place a drinking glass, bowl, or container filled with water on a dresser or table. Take a skewer and insert it through the top of a sponge, lowering the sponge into the water. Alternatively, balance the skewer across the container and drape a cloth over it into the water. Place a fan behind the setup, facing the centre of the room, and turn it on low. This will help to circulate water vapour into your home.

Boiling Water

Boiling water on the stove releases clouds of vapour into the air. Boil a kettle or pot of water for a few minutes, adding a few drops of essential oil for a fresh fragrance.

Houseplants

Houseplants naturally release water vapour through their leaves. Grouping your plants together will increase the humidity in your home and improve air quality.

Shower with the Door Open

Take advantage of the steam from your shower by leaving the bathroom door open. Ensure the bathroom vent is off so that the moisture doesn't escape outside.

Bowls of Water

Place small decorative bowls of water on shelves, windowsills, or radiators. The water will slowly evaporate over time, increasing the humidity in your home.

Hanging laundry to dry inside is a great way to increase humidity and save energy. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Use a drying rack or install a retractable clothesline, especially if you have limited space. A collapsible rack is easy to store when not in use.
• If you don't have a drying rack, use a shower rod or towel bar. You can also use hangers to create additional hanging space. Avoid hanging wet laundry on surfaces that can be damaged by moisture, such as uncoated metal or untreated wood.
• Remove excess moisture from your laundry before hanging it to dry. Use a higher spin cycle setting on your washing machine or squeeze out as much water as possible for hand-washed items. You can also place items between towels and roll them up to absorb excess water.
• Hang your laundry with care to prevent wrinkles. For example, match the inseams of pants and hang them from the waist down. For shirts, clip the shoulders to a rod with clothespins. For towels, use clothespins to hang them from a rod or fold them over the rod.
• Improve air circulation by hanging items individually with space between them. Place a fan or dehumidifier near your drying area to speed up drying and prevent mould. Open windows or turn on a bathroom vent fan to increase airflow.
• Situate your drying rack away from walls to prevent moisture buildup and remove humidity to avoid mould and mildew.

Use an ultrasonic humidifier with essential oils

Adding essential oils to an ultrasonic humidifier is a great way to fill your home with soothing aromas while also humidifying the air. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use an ultrasonic humidifier with essential oils:

Step 1: Understand Ultrasonic Humidifiers

Ultrasonic humidifiers are a specific type of humidifier that uses high-frequency oscillation to function. Unlike traditional humidifiers, they don't use a wicking filter. Instead, they have a nebulizer that vibrates at an ultrasonic speed, breaking water particles down into an ultrafine mist. This mist is then propelled silently into the room.

Step 2: Choose the Right Essential Oils

Not all essential oils are created equal. Opt for high-quality, pure essential oils from reputable brands. Some popular choices include lavender, known for its calming and sleep-enhancing properties; lemon, for a fresh and uplifting fragrance; peppermint, which can aid digestion and refresh your space; eucalyptus, a powerful decongestant; and orange, to boost your mood and reduce anxiety.

Step 3: Prepare the Humidifier

Before adding essential oils, always refer to the manufacturer's instructions to ensure your specific model is safe for use with them. Some ultrasonic humidifiers have a special essential oil diffuser tray, where you should add the oils. If your model doesn't have this feature, you can carefully add a few drops of essential oil directly to the water tank. For a 100ml tank, use 5 to 8 drops of essential oil.

Step 4: Add the Essential Oils

If your ultrasonic humidifier has an essential oil diffuser tray, simply remove the tray, place an essential oil pad inside, and drip a few drops of your chosen oil onto the pad. Then, place the tray back into the humidifier. If your model doesn't have a tray, carefully add the recommended amount of essential oil drops directly into the water tank, being careful not to exceed the specified amount.

Step 5: Enjoy the Aromas

Once you've added the essential oils, it's time to turn on your ultrasonic humidifier and let it work its magic. The fan in the humidifier will draw the scent of the essential oils and disperse them into the water mist, filling your space with soothing aromas. Remember to clean your humidifier regularly and change the essential oil pads when introducing new scents.

Using an ultrasonic humidifier with essential oils is a great way to create a relaxing and fragrant atmosphere in your home while also enjoying the health benefits of aromatherapy. Just be sure to use them safely and follow the manufacturer's instructions for the best experience.

Frequently asked questions