How To Dehumidify A Room
What Causes Humidity In A Home?
Although there are many factors, you can’t manage. Factors like “the architecture, materials used to build your house, and the area you live.” Humidity in the home comes from things you do every day.
Any activity that adds moisture to the air will raise the humidity levels in your home. That means it might be due to all the clothes you’re drying in the dryer one day and the baking obsession. A long shower raises the humidity level in your house. It steams your mirrors and leaves condensation on the walls.
Reasons To Control Humidity
High humidity levels are unhealthy
A pleasant environment necessitates the best humidity level. Having too much moisture in your home can cause significant issues and even damage your health. Microorganisms that grow in humid environments are of particular concern. They can contribute to allergies and asthma.
Too little humidity is also unhealthy
Low humidity can have a variety of negative consequences. Your skin will become dry, your lips may chap, and your eyes will begin to itch. Dry air can also trigger eye irritation, trouble breathing, and sore sinuses. This is particularly true in winter when the outside air is dry. Dry zones are well-known air-conditioned spaces, such as airlines and offices.
Bugs and mold enjoy a humid environment. In humid environments, bugs flourish. Warm temperatures (23-27 degrees Celsius) and humidity (70-80%) are ideal for dust mites. When humidity levels fall below 60%, mite populations stop increasing and die out. Air conditioning reduces the ambient temperature and relative humidity.
Mold also thrives in humid environments. Mold can grow more than 50% of the time when the relative humidity is greater than 50%. Their spores cause the development of asthma and allergies in children.
Natural Ways To Dehumidify A House or Room
If you are feeling stuck with your humidity problem, there are alternatives you can use. These are DIY options for you.
Homemade Dehumidifier with Rice
Dried rice can absorb a lot of moisture until it’s cooked. This makes it a decent food-safe desiccant. You will enjoy the drying benefits of rice without the mess of loose rice strands. Make breathable pouches for your dried rice. Use these drying pouches in dried goods containers. Also, use them in boxes, cabinets, or other spaces that need a slight moisture reduction.
Ventilation
Keep your home well ventilated, particularly in areas where moisture is a problem. Areas such as the kitchen and bathroom. If necessary, open windows and doors and leave vents or fans on for more extended periods. This ensures adequate ventilation. Having good ventilation in your home for at least a few hours per day can reduce indoor humidity.
Charcoal
Charcoal briquettes can help cut humidity and odors from the air. Fill a basket with a low-cost bag of charcoal. The charcoal will last for about a month and a half. Look for coconut shell charcoal if at all possible. This charcoal has a high adsorption capacity and does not powder during adsorption.
Rock Salt
Rock salt, a hygroscopic substance, is another way to cut indoor humidity. This means that it draws and stores water molecules from its surroundings. This removes excess moisture from the air.
Take two identical-sized plastic tubs. To elevate the second tub, place an object inside the first tub. Fill the second tub with rock salt after drilling holes in it. Place the second tub within the first one. There will be some water in the bottom tub in a few days. Check to see if the bottom tub needs emptying regularly.
Alternatives to rock salt are silica-based kitty litter, zeolite crystals, or calcium chloride.
Replacing Carpets and Rugs
Rugs tend to absorb moisture when the indoor humidity level is high. If your carpet becomes damp or begins to smell moldy, take it to the dry cleaners for a wash.
Repairing Walls
Moisture may also enter the home through cracks or holes in the walls. During hot, humid weather, wet, moist outside air can seep inside through cracks and holes. If the inside air is colder than the outside air, this may create condensation on materials.
If you do not deal with the condensation right away, it can lead to rotting wood, mold, and mildew. Check your home’s exterior walls regularly for cracks. Make sure they get repaired.
DampRid
DampRid is a chemical that removes moisture from the atmosphere. It also helps to keep moisture, fungus, and mildew at bay. It contains calcium chloride, an inorganic mineral salt that is non-toxic.
Baking Soda
Grab the baking soda if you’re dealing with a humidity-emergency situation. Baking soda is a popular household item that you can find in the pantry or kitchen cabinet. It makes delicious cupcakes but also absorbs moisture.
Furthermore, baking soda is inexpensive and useful in small rooms or enclosed spaces. It’s also simple to use.
Place some baking soda in a bowl or an open jar. Then set it in a humid space or area to extract moisture from the air. Since the powder clumps as it absorbs moisture, you can stir it around now and then.
Outdoor Drying
Indoor humidity levels will rise if wet clothes hang indoors, especially in rooms with poor ventilation. Hanging clothes to dry outside is the best way to reduce indoor humidity. For example, in apartments without balconies. Suppose that it isn’t possible to use a clothes dryer where the vent is outside.
Taking Showers
Showers generate a lot of steam, which causes indoor humidity levels to rise. The more time you spend in the shower, the more steam you generate. After your shower, crack a window open or switch on the exhaust fan for a few minutes.
This will reduce the excess moisture. If you can, take cooler showers; they contain less steam and have less of an effect on humidity. Furthermore, cold showers can be beneficial to your well-being!
Keep Windows Open
Cracking a window open is the simplest way to cut indoor humidity. Allow for more airflow by keeping the window open. Do this, particularly in damp areas like the bathroom and kitchen.
Filter Replacement
Clean the furnace and air conditioner filters daily. If your furnace or air conditioner filters clog, it slows airflow. Humidity reduction will be less efficient.
Plants that help remove humidity
Did you know that plants emit moisture vapor into the air? Place your plants outside for the time being. Make sure your plants aren’t overwatered as well. Some plants do absorb the moisture from the air. These are:
- Peace Lily
- Reed’s palm
- Boston fern
- English Ivy
- Orchids
- Spider Plant
- Tillandsia
- Cactus
Final Thoughts
The solution for your humidity problems can be in your kitchen cupboard. Dehumidifiers come in different forms, and you can save some money by doing a DIY project. For more extensive humidity problems, a dehumidifier may be what you need. But at least you have a place to start.
For all the help you need with a dehumidifier, visit Dehumidifier Depot.
