Humidity in the home can create a sticky situation, particularly in the summertime, when your abode should serve as a place to cool off after long days in the sun. Here’s how to reduce the humidity in your home.
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1. Turn Up the AC
Your air conditioner will naturally decrease the humidity in your home by removing warm air and introducing cool air. Make sure you change the AC filter frequently in order to maximize the airflow.
2. Use a Ventilation Fan
When you’re cooking, showering or doing any other activity that introduces heat into your home, be sure to use your exhaust or ventilation fans in order to increase airflow and decrease humidity. If you don’t have exhaust or ventilation fans, consider having them installed in the more humidity-prone parts of your house.
3. Get a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is designed to fit inside your furnace air handler and to remove moisture from air as it passes through. This handy tool will help keep your home dry and cool.
4. Cool Your Jets
Hot showers, while relaxing, can introduce a lot of humidity into an environment. Colder showers will decrease the amount of steam in the air and thus, humidity levels overall. Plus, they’re ultra-refreshing during the dog days of summer.
5. Fix Your Leaks
Leaky pipes and faucets add moisture to an environment, contributing to the humidity as a whole. Be sure to repair any leaks or drips in your home, and consider wrapping any exposed pipes in insulators in order to discourage condensation from forming. Not sure if you’ve got leaks? Irregular water bills, stained drywall and wet spots are all telltale signs.
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6. Get Your Mind in the Gutter
Gutters can cause humidity, particularly if the downspout is facing the direction of your home and creating indoor water leaks. Be sure to clean your gutters regularly, and check that your downspout is turned away from your home and extended at least six feet.
7. Get a Clothesline
Rather than dry your laundry that cannot be put in the dryer indoors, try drying it outside. Particularly in warm months, wet clothes add humidity to the air that can result in unpleasant living conditions. Use a clothesline or an outdoor drying rack.
8. Move Your Plants
Houseplants release moisture into the air, so if you have a lot of them, they could be contributing to the humidity of your home. Try moving them outside, at least temporarily.
9. Use Charcoal
You might have charcoal briquettes lying around for barbecuing purposes, but they can also help to dehumidify your home. Charcoal will suck the moisture out of the air and absorb it. Simply place a few briquettes in a container like a basket or a can and replace them every couple of months.
10. Open the Windows
Even if it’s humid outside, opening the windows can help dehumidify your home since moving air will discourage moisture-filled air from settling in your home. Open windows can be especially helpful in dehumidifying moisture-prone areas like your kitchen and bathrooms.
11. Smell Your Rugs
Rugs can absorb a lot of moisture, and if yours smell like mold, mildew or fungus, that’s a pretty sure sign that there are moisture issues going on. If your rugs seem to be holding moisture, have them cleaned or toss ‘em all together.
12. Use Rock Salt
You can make your own dehumidifier using rock salt, also known as halite. It’s readily available online and at your local home goods store, and it can be a handy tool for absorbing moisture.
13. Use Baking Soda
Baking soda is also pretty effective at eliminating moisture. Place bowls of the stuff in any areas of your house where humidity is high. Baking soda works best in smaller rooms, so use charcoal or rock salt if you’re working with a larger area.
14. Try Cat Litter
Similar to baking soda, silica-based cat litter absorbs plenty of moisture from the air. It makes sense when you think about it, as cat litter is designed to absorb, well, liquids.
15. Install a Vapor Barrier
If you have a crawl space, moisture from the soil might be entering your home, increasing the humidity level at large. You can install a vapor barrier over the soil to prevent humidity from entering your living space.
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16. Cover Your Pots
When possible, use a pot lid to cover your pots when cooking. This will prevent vapor from entering the air in your home.
17. Leave Interior Doors Open
If your family’s okay with sacrificing a bit of privacy, try keeping the interior doors in your house open to encourage better air circulation.
18. Get a Humidity Monitor
Available online or at your local home goods store, a humidity monitor will allow you to check the moisture levels of the air in your home so that you have a better sense of what you’re dealing with.
19. Try Weatherstripping
When you weatherstrip around your windows and doors, you create an airtight seal that prevents humidity from outside seeping into your home. You can buy a weatherstripping kit, or just adhesive-backed foam, online or at your local home goods store.
20. Get Rid of Carpets
Carpet is notorious for retaining tons of moisture, so if possible, eliminate carpeting from your home.
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Signs to Look For While Identifying High Indoor Humidity
High indoor humidity can be a major cause of discomfort and damage. While there are various signs of high indoor humidity, three are most common: condensation, mold growth and unusual odors. By being aware of these signals, individuals can take proactive measures to manage humidity levels, ensuring a home or building remains conducive to both physical well-being and the longevity of its structural components.
Condensation
Condensation can be a sign that you have high indoor humidity and occurs when warm, moisture-laden air comes into contact with cooler surfaces, causing water vapor to transform into liquid water. You can identify condensation by droplets on windows, mirrors or other surfaces.
Condensation may lead to more significant issues over time. Persistent condensation may contribute to mold growth and damage to affected surfaces. Recognizing and addressing condensation is crucial in maintaining a comfortable indoor environment.
Mold
If you’re worried about mold in your home, you should know that high indoor humidity provides an ideal environment for mold growth. Mold thrives in damp conditions and can appear on walls, ceilings and other surfaces. Look out for discolored patches, fuzzy growth or a musty odor, as these are common signs of mold. Addressing the source of the unwanted moisture is crucial to preventing and eliminating mold issues.
Odors
When the air is too humid, it can lead to musty or stale odors. These odors are often the result of mold and mildew growth. If you notice unpleasant smells in your indoor environment, it could indicate high humidity levels. Identifying and addressing where the moisture comes from can help eliminate these odors.
When to Call a Professional
High humidity in your home can be an uncomfortable and unhealthy situation. There are many DIY methods for managing indoor moisture levels, but there are also certain situations that may require the expertise of a professional. Whether you’re dealing with persistent humidity issues, mold growth, structural damage or HVAC malfunctions, understanding when to seek help from a professional is crucial in ensuring effective and lasting solutions for a well-balanced indoor climate.
- Persistent high humidity: If you’re having trouble lowering the humidity in your space, a professional can assess the situation and recommend more advanced solutions.
- Mold growth: If you find mold in your home, especially in areas that are hard to reach or hidden, a professional may be necessary to address the root cause and ensure proper cleanup.
- Structural damage: If you’ve been experiencing high humidity levels and want to find out if they’ve caused structural damage, such as rotting wood or compromised foundations, a professional can evaluate the extent of the damage and propose necessary repairs.
- HVAC issues: HVAC systems not effectively controlling humidity can lead to unsightly mold growth and high energy costs. A professional technician can inspect and repair your HVAC system to ensure it operates optimally.
