I spent my first winter with my squirt bottle misting and fighting mites and moving a cheap humidifier around that you have to add salt to in order to get the steam out. That was the last time I messed with all that. I put most of my plants in one room and spent $60 on a good humidifier that runs on a thermostat. I don't have to add salt as a fan sucks it out. I have a cheap thermometer that tells me what the humidity level and temp. is in the room.
I don't know if the salty mist is bad or not for the plants but mine didn't have any adverse effects and seems like the air near coastlines would have salty, moist air wouldn't it?
PS... forgot to mention that with my humidity level kept at about 45 plus... I never have problems with the mites.
PSS.. I use my Britta faithfully for drinking water
)