Time for another post in our new Frugal Alternatives series! If you have any of your own DIY or homemade Frugal Alternatives that you are implementing at home, we’d love to hear about them! Feel free to send any information and photos to wendy @ frugalfabulousfinds.com with the email subject line “Frugal Alternatives”. Each and every month we award one of our guest post contributors with a FREE $5 Amazon.com Gift Card !
Today we’re bringing you some tried & true, oldies but goodies tips and maybe even a few new Frugal Alternatives for a Humidifier.
Although a heat source is absolutely necessary in the cold of winter, at the same time it provides warmth, it takes all the moisture from our homes and our skin. A humidifier will replace moisture depleted from the air, but sometimes we don’t have the space or the money to accommodate them. Replacing their filters can be costly .
There are some Frugal Alternatives for a humidifier and methods for humidifying the air in your living quarters without using a modern humidifier. Before electricity, our grandparents found other means to improve the moisture content in winter air. Many of these solutions cost nothing and require things you already have on hand.
FRUGAL ALTERNATIVES FOR A HUMIDIFIER:
A plastic jug can be converted to add moisture to the air.
Remove the very top from a plastic gallon jug and fill it 3/4 full with water. Insert a rolled up newspaper into the hole with the newspaper protruding from the top to act as a wick. Place the jug in your bedroom near to the bed.
Wet laundry adds moisture to the air as it dries.
Instead of throwing your laundry in the dryer, hang it to dry from a clothes rack. As the laundry dries, the moisture will fill the room. This solution not only saves money but also energy. Another similar idea is to hang your wet shower towel next to your bed to help you breathe better as you sleep.
Houseplants add water and oxygen to the air.
An easy and efficient way to add humidity to a room is to add houseplants. Many houseplants release water and oxygen into the air, as well as remove chemical toxins. According to B. C. Wolverton, who headed plant research at NASA, by decorating your room with the natural beauty of areca palms, each 6-foot plant emits approximately 1 qt. of water per day.
A steaming kettle will add moisture to the air.
This one is an oldie but a goodie! If you have an open air radiator or wood burning device, place a kettle of water on top. As the water simmers and boils, steam will evaporate into the air to replenish humidity. Adding a touch of spices to the water will leave your home smelling like grandmother’s. The larger the kettle, the less often you will need to refill it. Since the kettle will be hot, keep it out of reach of children and pets.
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This Frugal Alternatives guest post was submitted by eHow contributor, Nan Gellings. Ehow.com is an easy-to-use, solution-focused site with more than 30 categories that cover just about everything.
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