The Air in Our Home Is Very Dry in Winter. Can a Humidifier Help Protect Wood and Leather Items?

By Tobie Stanger

January 2, 2022

Room with Hammock, wood dining table, air humidifier and view from the balcony.

The dry winter air that makes your throat scratchy and your skin itch can also affect the contents of your home, especially those items made of natural materials—like wooden instruments, flooring, furniture, and leather goods. Using a humidifier to maintain optimal humidity levels can help preserve them. Here’s how to ensure your musical instruments and other goods made of wood, as well as leather items, don’t suffer during those dry days.

Musical Instruments
Acoustic guitars and other wooden instruments can easily fall out of tune, and potentially warp, if the air is too dry. Dedicate a space for them where you can keep the relative humidity between 45 and 55 percent and choose a humidifier sized for that area. You can also buy humidifiers specifically designed for your instrument.

Tobie Stanger

As a senior editor at Consumer Reports for more than 30 years, Tobie Stanger specialized in helping readers shop wisely, save money, and avoid scams. Her home- and shopping-related beats have included appliance and grocery stores, generators, homeowners and flood insurance, humidifiers, lawn mowers, and luggage. She also covered home improvement products, including flooring, roofing, and siding.