Humidity levels and your health: How air quality affects you

I haven't scrolled up to the "Health" section yet, so I was wondering—how much does it actually mess with you if you're stuck in a room where the humidity stays under 40% or climbs over 60%? Like, does that really make you more prone to respiratory stuff?

We live in an apartment with central heating, and before we grabbed a humidifier, my hygrometer was showing levels below 30%—so basically, my family and I were waking up with these super dry, scratchy throats and constant sniffing.

Once we picked up a humidifier, I’ve been keeping a close eye on things, and we're sitting pretty at a steady 50% now... symptoms are gone (well, so far).

Also, they say if condensation starts building up because the humidity hits over 60%, you're supposed to grab a dehumidifier just to stay healthy.

What's your experience been with this? Do you guys actually track your indoor humidity for health reasons, or do you use these gadgets at all?😁

Look, it’s basic science at this point. The sweet spot for human comfort and health—the actual optimal humidity range—is somewhere between 40% and 60%. If you stay within those numbers, you're significantly cutting down on the presence of viruses, fungi, allergens, and even certain toxic gases in the air. It's just common sense when you look at the data.

Quick question for those of you dealing with super dry air—do you guys actually toss essential oils into your humidifiers?

I've mostly heard about eucalyptus, tea tree, ravensara, and cajeput.
☕Since these things come from all over the world, I'm wondering how much they're actually vetted for health—like, since we're breathing them directly through the humidifier, are there any nasty side effects? Or are they actually safe for our lungs and good for neutralizing junk in the air?

In the States, people swear by tea tree oil for disinfecting, and bergamot is great if you're looking to give your immune system a little nudge. Personally, I just toss a few drops of an herbal emulsion—the kind packed with stuff like peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender—into some warm water. It smells decent and clears out the air.
It really comes down to where these companies are sourcing their ingredients. You have to do your homework to figure out which products are actually 100% natural. Around here, there’s a massive market for things labeled "all-natural" that are anything but. It’s an open secret that lower-quality goods are often specifically manufactured just for the American consumer, though there are a few honest brands out there if you know where to look.

Under 40%—you're looking at dry mucous membranes and a much higher risk of infections.
Over 60%—moisture starts condensing on surfaces, which just creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold...