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12 Ways to Combat Winter Dryness

Dry air and winter go hand-in-hand. Dryness can not only affect your skin and hair, but can wreak havoc on your house plants, wood flooring and furniture, and cause all that static electricity. Here are 12 ways to combat winter dryness.

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Air Dry DishesLeszek Glasner/Shutterstock

Air Dry Dishes

Put away the dish drying towel! And let your dishes air dry this winter, which will add some moisture to the kitchen. Also when you use your dishwasher, open it a crack as soon as it's done cleaning, and let the steam add some moisture to the air. This will help combat winter dryness.
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Use a HumidifierAhanov Michael/Shutterstock

Use a Humidifier

A humidifier may take up some space and require regular cleaning, but the moisture it adds to your home will be a welcome relief. And humidifiers can help cut down on static electricity, especially if you have carpet and/or rugs in your home.
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Open the Bathroom DoorMayuree Moonhirun/Shutterstock

Open the Bathroom Door

When showering, leave the door open. And this will allow steam to escape and add some extra moisture to areas of the home around the bathroom and combat winter dryness.
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Take Care of Your Skingpointstudio/Shutterstock

Take Care of Your Skin

All that dry air will require you to take special care of your skin during the winter months. And to do this, moisturize regularly after bathing and washing your hands, and avoid bathing in very hot water.
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Use a Drying Racklucio pepi/Shutterstock

Use a Drying Rack

Instead of throwing the laundry in the dryer, use a drying rack to hang wet clothes. And as the clothes dry, the moisture will be added to the air to combat winter dryness.
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Decorate with Bowls and VasesSvetlana Lukienko/Shutterstock

Decorate with Bowls and Vases

You know those decorative bowls and vases you have displayed on the dining room shelf? Put them to use! And just pour some water in the bowls and leave a few around your home. As the water evaporates, it will add some moisture to the room.
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Leave Water in the TubArchiVIZ/Shutterstock

Leave Water in the Tub

After you take a bath, leave the water in the bathtub overnight. And when you let it cool completely before draining, moisture will evaporate into the air. And this will help to get rid of some winter dryness. Note: Do not leave water in the tub if you have small children.
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Add Some PlantsPhotographee.eu/Shutterstock

Add Some Plants

While you will need to keep them watered, try adding a couple house plants. And when moisture evaporates from the plant's leaves, it will add some humidity to your home.
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Wet Mittens and HatsEvgeniia Trushkova/Shutterstock

Wet Mittens and Hats

When kids (and adults!) come in from playing out in the snow, have them place their wet mittens and hats on a radiator to dry. And the moisture will evaporate and the outerwear will be toasty warm for the next snowball battle.
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Get Cookinglenetstan/Shutterstock

Get Cooking

Cook more often this winter on your stove top. And make a pot of soup, which will release some moisture into the air. Also, keep that teapot busy to get rid of some of that winter dryness!
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Put Heat Registers to Work Marko Poplasen/Shutterstock

Put Heat Registers to Work

Fill a metal bowl with water and place it on top of your heat register. The water will slowly evaporate and add moisture to the air.

Rachel Brougham
Rachel Brougham lived through a major home renovation in 2019, knows the ups and downs of home improvement, and loves sharing tips with readers. A veteran journalist of both print and television, she’s won several awards for her writing and has covered everything from the environment and education to health care, politics and food. She’s written for several publications beyond newspapers including Bob Vila, Taste of Home and Minnesota Parent, and she currently writes a weekly syndicated newspaper column. Her memoir, Widowland, about the sudden loss of her husband, was published in 2022. She specializes in everything from home decor and design to lawn and garden, product reviews and pet care. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her tending to her garden (both vegetables and native plants), playing with her dog, watching sports with her family or getting some exercise. A native of Michigan, she currently lives in Minneapolis. An avid user of Instagram, you can follow her @RachBrougham.