Ideal humidity at home: healthy living & protection for your home and furniture

Itchy skin in winter? Muggy air in summer? Humidity in your home affects both your well-being and the condition of your furniture and appliances. In this article, you'll find out how to create the perfect indoor climate and protect your valuables in the long term.

How humidity affects our lives

A balanced indoor climate has multiple positive effects on your everyday life:

• Your airways and skin feel good
• Molds and dust mites have less of a chance
• Your wooden furniture retains its shape and beauty
• Electronic devices remain free of condensation
• Documents stay in good condition for longer

And the best thing? The right humidity can even reduce your heating costs, as humid air feels warmer.

The ideal humidity for your home

In living spaces, a relative humidity of 40 to 60% ensures optimum well-being. For your bedroom, 40-50% is ideal. These values are not only good for your health, but also protect your furnishings. Remember: the seasons play a role.

• In winter, the heating air dries out the rooms - increase the humidity accordingly
• Humidity often rises in summer - reduce the humidity level

Measure the humidity with a hygrometer

A hygrometer is your reliable partner for the right indoor climate. It measures the humidity and shows you when something is wrong. You have the choice between:

1. Classic models: Simple and decorative
2. Digital devices: Precise with useful additional functions
3. Smart home solutions: Monitoring the whole household via smartphone

Tip: Place your hygrometer in rooms that tend to fluctuate in humidity - for example in the bathroom, kitchen or cellar.

Too dry or too moist? What are the signs?

Your body and your environment are natural moisture sensors. Simply pay attention to the following signs.

Air that is too dry = low humidity:

• Your skin feels tight
• You sneeze more often or have a dry cough
• Static electricity makes your hair stand on end
• Fine cracks appear in your wooden furniture

Air that is too humid = high humidity:

• Your windows fog up for a long time
• It smells musty
• Mold forms in corners and on walls
• Wallpaper and floors start to curl
• Your houseplants hardly ever need water

Health boost through optimal indoor climate

The right humidity actively supports your health. The ideal indoor climate has a positive effect on you:

• It strengthens your defenses against colds and other infections
• Allergy symptoms are alleviated and asthmatics find it easier to breathe
• Your general well-being increases
• Your mucous membranes stay moist and healthy, even if you snore

Tips for regulating the humidity in every season

Control humidity in summer:

In summer, you can easily keep the humidity under control:

• Take advantage of the fresh morning air and ventilate extensively
• Improve air circulation with fans to distribute the humidity evenly
• If necessary, get a dehumidifier for particularly humid rooms

Optimize humidity in winter:

The air is often dry in winter. Turn your home into a feel-good place:

• Heat in a smart way: maintain constant, moderate temperatures
• Place pretty water bowls or use indoor plants as natural humidifiers
• Improve your sleep with a quiet humidifier in the bedroom

Air humidity in spring and fall:

Just like with a jacket that's too thin or too thick, the humidity in the air is constantly changing during the transition period. Therefore:

• Check the humidity regularly with your hygrometer
• Adapt your ventilation routine to the weather

Indoor climate at the touch of a button

The right technology makes controlling humidity very easy. Here's a list of great devices that can help you improve your indoor climate.

Dehumidifier:

1. Compressor dehumidifier: Powerful, for larger or humid rooms
2. Condensation dehumidifier: Energy-saving for cool rooms such as basements
3. Absorption dehumidifiers: Quiet and for small rooms and cupboards.

Humidifiers:

1. Evaporator: Natural humidification and low maintenance for large rooms
2. Ultrasonic humidifier: Whisper-quiet for the bedroom
3. Air purifier: humidifies and cleans at the same time, ideal for allergy sufferers

Our tips for all your rooms

Every room in your home deserves special attention. Here are a few strategies:

Bathroom

• Air out for 10 minutes after showering or bathing
• Wipe surfaces dry
• Install a bathroom fan with a humidity sensor

Kitchen

• Use the range hood while cooking
• Ventilate briefly and intensively after cooking
• Keep work surfaces and drains clean

Dry out damp cellars

• Install a permanent dehumidifier
• Ensure good ventilation with humidity control
• Use shelves to improve air circulation

Bedroom

• A humidity level of 40 to 50 % is recommended for a restful night's sleep
• Start the day with 10 minutes of fresh air
• Use a quiet dehumidifier on warm nights or
• a powerful humidifier if you wake up with dry lips

Objects and humidity

Different materials need different humidity levels. This is the best way to protect your furniture, appliances, clothes and books:

Shiny wooden furniture

• Keep the humidity constant at 45-55%
• Place your furniture approx. 10 cm away from walls and radiators
• Care for your wooden furniture regularly with high-quality products

Durable electronics

• Electronics do not like high humidity, below 60 % is optimal
• Switch off sensitive devices at over 70% humidity

Books and documents

• Store your books and important papers at 45-50% humidity
• Always store books and documents on shelves in the cellar, the floor is often too damp
• Place shelves 20 cm away from the wall

Fresh clothes

• Dry clothes completely before putting them away
• Use closet dehumidifiers or absorbent scented sachets.
• Air the wardrobe for 30 minutes every week

Save money with clever humidity management

The right humidity is not only healthy, but also fills your wallet in the long term. Here are the most important benefits again:

• Reduce your heating costs by up to 6%
• Save money by preventing damage to furniture and buildings through optimal humidity levels
• Reduce potential health costs through a better indoor climate

So investing in hygrometers and air management devices pays off.

Humidity in the cellar: 40-60% is ideal

A dry basement is often a challenge in Switzerland. Older buildings without modern waterproofing are particularly susceptible to moisture penetration.

Why is a humidity level of 40-60% in the basement important?

• Avoid mold: Keep the humidity in the basement constant to prevent mold growth
• Ensure longevity: regulate the humidity in the basement to prevent damage and extend durability
• Provide fresh air: Say goodbye to musty odors
• Protect your valuables: create optimal conditions for your items

Optimal humidity in the cellar, an overview

🔴 Below 30%: Too dry - beware of cracks in wood and furniture

🟠 30-40%: Acceptable - monitor the situation

🟢 40-60%: Ideal - Perfect for you and your items

🟠 60-70%: Increased - Be careful, increased risk of mold

🔴 Over 70%: Too high - Take action immediately!

Challenges for Swiss basements

• Historical problem: Many houses were built before 1970 without good waterproofing. Damp basements are unfortunately the norm in older buildings
• Technical solutions: Dehumidifiers and ventilation systems to reduce the humidity in basements are often expensive and complex, which puts many homeowners off
• Insufficient insulation: Many basements are not sufficiently insulated, which leads to them absorbing moisture more quickly

Our tip for reducing the humidity in the basement: Measuring the humidity in the basement regularly is essential. A hygrostat-controlled dehumidifier can help to keep your cellar dry and achieve the optimum humidity level.

The reality of many Swiss basements: despite all efforts, many basements remain too damp. Even modern solutions often only offer short-term help. A basement humidity level of 70% or even 80% is unfortunately not uncommon. That's why you should actively think about protecting your valuables.

No possibility of optimally protecting your valuables?

Now you know how important the right humidity is. But what if you can't create the optimum conditions for your items at home or your cellar is too small or too damp? This is where placeB can help! With us, you'll find climate-controlled storage units with a constant humidity level, that provide the perfect conditions for your valuables - whether in the humid summer or the dry winter months.