In New Mexico’s dry months, you can humidify your home By Amanda Schoenberg / Journal Staff Writer Published: Saturday, January 14th, 2012 at 12:05amUpdated: Friday, January 13th, 2012 at 10:01pm

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — During New Mexico’s dry winter months, residents wage war on dry, itchy skin, chapped lips and persistent static cling.

To increase moisture at home, solutions range from buying humidifiers to adding houseplants and indoor fountains.

Customers ask for humidifiers to combat problems like nosebleeds and dry skin, says Robb Baucom, a sales specialist at Lowe’s on Paseo del Norte in Albuquerque. Indoor humidity should be 35 percent to 40 percent, which can be measured on some thermometers.

	Other ways to add moisture • After a shower, open the bathroom door to let steam out to the rest of the house. •  Don’t run the dry cycle on the dishwasher. Instead, open the door to release moisture, which also saves money. •  Buy an indoor fountain. •  Hang wet clothes to dry in the house, either on a laundry rack or hangers, which saves on energy costs. • Add houseplants. • Fill a spray bottle with water, adding lemon rind or herbs like rosemary or lavender for scent. Spray a little water in the air or on plant leaves. • Add shallow pans of water near vents or windows.

Added moisture at home protects wood furniture and floors and controls dust, says Cindy Schlenker Davies, a home economist for the Bernalillo County Extension Service.

Davies suggests oil-based sealants for floors and furniture. Wood furniture needs special care when people move to New Mexico from humid climates.

Water does help control static. To counteract cling, she suggests spraying water directly on clothes or hair.

When choosing a humidifier, check the size of the room it is for and how long it runs, says Baucom. Operating noise, power use and maintenance also are considerations, according to Jeff Leal, a spokesman for Bed, Bath & Beyond who oversees merchandise for New Mexico.

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Humidifiers come in several varieties. Cool-mist models have internal fans that distribute water over a filter. Warm-mist humidifiers boil water to release steam. Ultrasonic humidifiers have internal vibrating devices that release evaporated water.

Each has pros and cons. A cool-mist humidifier may need less upkeep, according to a Bed Bath & Beyond buying guide, but fans make noise. Warm-mist options have no filters but use more power. Ultrasonic models are quiet but they cost more and filters must be replaced.

Most people use humidifiers in a bedroom, Baucom says. Console humidifiers also can add moisture to several rooms or the whole home.

At Lowe’s and Bed Bath & Beyond, prices range from $30 for cool-mist options to $400 for models that combine humidifiers and air purifiers.

To curb mineral buildup from hard water, Baucom recommends adding liquid or tablet anti-scale treatments to water in humidifiers. These treatments are typically sold near humidifiers. Humidifiers also need to be cleaned regularly.