Using A Humidifier At Night Helps You Stay Healthy & Sleep Better

Published on January 11, 2021 / Updated on July 30, 2025Reading Time: 4 minutesDr. Carl Rosenberg

Using a Humidifier at Night Helps You Stay Healthy & Sleep Better

It is a small change, but using a humidifier at night can make a big difference. A humidifier can improve sleep quality by reducing dry skin and alleviating sore throats, leading to more restful sleep and better overall well-being. It can help you to sleep better and help your body stay healthy.

During both winter and summer, maintaining a relative humidity level between 40% and 60% indoors has several surprising benefits. Choosing the best humidifier for your needs can maximize these health and comfort benefits. A good humidifier is low maintenance, energy efficient, and may include smart features for added convenience and health benefits.

Can Sleeping with a Humidifier Help Me Stay Healthy?

Using a humidifier while you sleep has some health benefits that are apparent.

For example, you will notice that you struggle less with:

• Dry skin 
• Sinus problems, 
• Bloody noses 
• Cracked lips 
• Congestion

There are less obvious benefits as well. When air dries out the nasal passages, it can lead to irritated sinuses and make it more difficult for the cilia to filter bacteria, germs, dust, and pathogens and prevent them from entering your respiratory system. In this way, using a humidifier helps your body’s defences against viruses and other illnesses.

However, regular maintenance is essential to prevent buildup and mineral deposits, especially if you use tap water or hard water. Cleaning routines should include rinsing and cleaning with white vinegar to remove mineral deposits and prevent microbial growth. Ultrasonic humidifiers may require more frequent cleaning to prevent mineral buildup, while an evaporative humidifier uses a wick and filters that need regular replacement. Evaporative models are often easier to maintain due to their self-regulating nature, but both types require consistent upkeep to ensure safe operation.

Note: While humidifiers add moisture to the air, they do not function as an air purifier. If air purification is a priority, consider using a dedicated air purifier in addition to a humidifier.

Watch this video to learn more about the benefits of humidifiers.

When Should I Sleep with a Humidifier?

Dry air can be dangerous at any time of year. Low humidity, whether during winter or in warmer months, can lead to dry skin, irritated sinuses, and discomfort.

Some humidifiers may not be effective in larger rooms, so it’s important to choose a model that matches the size of your space.

Winter

During the winter, people spend more time indoors, and when homes are heated, the air becomes drier. Cold and influenza viruses survive and are transmitted more widely in dry winter conditions. For this reason, increasing the humidity levels indoors, especially when the heat is running, helps prevent the airborne spread of common seasonal viruses.

In addition, a humidifier moisturizes the nasal and upper respiratory passages when the air is dry. This can help you breathe easier when you have a runny nose, chest congestion, cough, or sore throat.

Warm mist humidifiers can provide soothing, heated vapor during winter months, which may be especially comforting for those with respiratory discomfort. In contrast, a cool mist humidifier offers a different option, emitting a cool mist that is also effective for increasing humidity and can be preferable for certain users or environments.

Features like a top-fill tank make it easier to fill the humidifier at the sink and monitor the water level, which is especially convenient during frequent winter use.

Summer

Winter is not the only time when indoor air is unnaturally dry. During the summer, air conditioning removes moisture from the air. This causes the air inside the home to become dry, leading to many of the same health problems. Air-conditioned air can dry out your sinuses, nasal passages, and throat when you sleep, leading to inflammation and swelling in these sensitive tissues.

Cool mist humidifiers are especially popular in summer for their ability to add moisture to the air without increasing the room temperature. There are a variety of mist humidifiers available for summer use, including ultrasonic and cool mist models, each offering different features and sizes to suit your needs. An ultrasonic humidifier is a popular choice for summer due to its quiet operation and energy-efficient design. Some models also provide cooling features or include a tray for essential oils, allowing you to enhance comfort and relaxation with optional aromatherapy.

Using a humidifier while you sleep in the summer helps alleviate these symptoms of dry air, as well as seasonal allergies. The cool mist can counteract pollen and mold when they are at their peak.

Why Do I Sleep Better with a Humidifier?

Apart from the health benefits in the summer and winter, some people find that they simply sleep better with a humidifier running at night. Why is this?

• Increased Comfort: An optimal humidity level eases scratchy throats and dry nasal passages, minimizing wake-ups caused by discomfort or coughing.
• White Noise: Many humidifiers create a soft humming sound, which can have a calming effect.
• Fewer disturbances: The low, consistent noise level is especially ideal for light sleepers as it minimizes sound disturbances during sleep.

Note: Some humidifiers release quite a bit of mist, which may require protective measures for surfaces or constant monitoring to maintain optimal humidity levels for sleep.

Related article: 10 Scientifically Proven Ways to Fall Asleep Faster.

How Does Sleeping with a Humidifier Decrease Snoring?

When the mouth, nasal cavities, palate, and airway get dried out, it tends to make snoring worse. The vibrations of these dry tissues caused by each breath in and out can intensify the sound of snoring. Turning on a humidifier before you go to bed can help alleviate loud snoring by providing more moisture to these tissues.

How Can I Improve Indoor Air Quality for My Entire House?

If you want the same benefits provided by a small humidifier in the bedroom throughout your home, consider adding a whole-house humidifier. This equipment works with your regular furnace and central heating system to deliver more humid air to every room.

Whole-home humidifiers connect directly to your home’s water supply for efficient and continuous operation. A whole-home humidifier is a unit that integrates with your HVAC system, providing consistent humidity control throughout the house. In contrast, portable humidifiers are standalone units that require a refillable water tank, which must be filled and cleaned regularly.

Sleep Disorder Diagnosis & Treatment – Sleep Health Solutions

Sometimes, poor sleep isn’t just about dry air. If you’re waking up tired, struggling to fall asleep, or experiencing chronic congestion, it might signal a deeper issue like sleep apnea or insomnia.

If you are having trouble sleeping, there may be an underlying problem. Sleep Health Solutions provides support for diagnosing and treating a wide range of sleep disorders. Contact our office for more information.

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