Dry air in the bedroom: improve the air quality in your home and enjoy more restful sleep

In winter in particular, closed windows, thick walls and effective heating may reduce humidity in the room. For most people this is not a problem or it may even be pleasant, as many homes tend to have problems with humidity being too high.

However, it can be very uncomfortable if the heated air tends to dry out your surroundings, especially in the bedroom. The combination of constant heating and little ventilation creates an imbalance in the air quality indoors. In short, the desire for cosy warmth leads to a decrease in relative humidity, which means that the air in the bedroom becomes too dry.

Dry air has no negative impact on the room itself – unlike excessive humidity, which can quickly lead to mould forming. Many people even appreciate dry air; for example, because laundry dries faster.

Nevertheless, dry air in your bedroom may have a negative impact on your sleep quality. If the humidity is too low, your respiratory tract and mucous membranes become irritated and can dry out. This means that you cough more often, have a constant urge to drink at night or your throat feels unpleasant and itchy.

The mucous membranes in your eyes can dry out and your skin may also suffer from the air being too dry; it becomes tight, more sensitive and more prone to irritation or itching. In the long run, all these problems may cause you to feel as though you have not had as much rest as you should by the morning.

You do not have to carry out complex conversions or buy expensive equipment to optimise the air quality in your home. Even small changes can have a big impact. To check whether your sleeping problems are actually caused by dry air, you should first measure the humidity with a hygrometer.

This device costs just a few euros and reliably indicates whether the humidity is in an optimum range between 40% and 60% or whether the room air is actually too dry. If this is the case, we have put together seven tried and tested tips for you:

Even if it is difficult in winter, opening a window regularly is ideal for creating optimum indoor air quality and good air circulation. Instead of leaving the window open all day, it is better to open it several times a day for a few minutes; this allows air to circulate throughout your home. It enables used air to be replaced by fresh outdoor air, which is often moister than indoor air in winter.

House plants not only look attractive, they also release moisture into their surroundings. Choose low-maintenance species such as green lilies, Sansevieria or peace lilies to add greenery and naturally increase humidity. At the same time, they bring more freshness and vibrancy to the bedroom. And if you’re really concerned, cacti and succulents produce oxygen not only during the day, but at night too.

A humidifier is a true all-rounder when it comes to increasing humidity in the room. Modern devices run quietly, are energy efficient and are easy to operate. Make sure you change the water regularly and clean the device to avoid spreading bacteria or mould spores.

Special humidifiers that you attach to the heating system are a quick, cost-effective solution. A bowl of water or a wet towel, placed on the radiator overnight, also provide acute relief. Due to the heat of the radiator, the water evaporates gradually and thereby increases the humidity. Change the water regularly to prevent unpleasant odours and germs.

Freshly washed laundry has a similar effect to a humidifier. If you occasionally hang your clothes in the bedroom, the humidity automatically rises as the laundry dries. But be careful: don’t overdo it, as too much moisture can cause mould. It is important to find a healthy balance; here too, and the hygrometer provides an indication of this.

A room temperature of around 18 to 20 degrees is not only ideal for sleeping, but also to prevent low humidity. High temperatures caused by constant heating promote dry air, while moderate heating helps to create good indoor air quality. If you need to feel warmer when sleeping at night, try suitable winter bedding and warm pyjamas made from materials that regulate the temperature. You will soon notice how your sleep quality improves.

Our last tip has nothing to do with the air quality indoors per se, but it may still help with disturbed sleep caused by dry air. For example, you should ensure that you regularly dust and vacuum your bedroom. A lot of dust often accumulates in and on the radiator, and this swirls around when the heating is on, which may cause dry, irritated airways. Allergy sufferers should certainly take heed of this tip.

It is often the little tricks that make all the difference when it comes to everyday problems such as this. For better air quality in your bedroom, make sure you do not keep the heating on high all the time, for example. Instead, you should ventilate the room in the evening just before going to bed and heat it moderately at night, if at all.

If you are particularly sensitive to dry air, nasal sprays or salt water inhalations can help to moisturise your mucous membranes. Oily skin creams or rich oils may protect your skin from dehydration.

A bedroom with the right humidity is not a luxury, but a crucial factor for your sleep quality, health and general well-being. So, if you want to improve the air quality in your home, it is worth experimenting.

Maybe putting a large green plant in your room will do the trick, or perhaps a small humidifier will make more of a difference for you. For others, regularly opening a window is enough to create a pleasant, balanced indoor air quality. The choice is yours. It is important not to give up, because dry air in the bedroom does not have to be an ongoing issue.

Discover more topics from our blog that might interest you: