Do you live in an area that experiences high humidity?
Well, you know all too well that the extra moisture can cause a great deal of discomfort. In the summer, high humidity creates a muggy environment that slows down your body’s ability to cool itself.
A highly humid room also provides the perfect conditions for harmful microbes and dust mites to thrive. It is therefore essential to take proper measures to keep the humidity in your home within the ideal range of 30 to 50 percent.
To maintain proper humidity levels, you can use two machines: a dehumidifier, which removes moisture from the air, and a humidifier, which adds moisture to the air. With these two appliances, you can have superior air quality all through the year.
But in this article, we’re only going to discuss how to dehumidify your house without a dehumidifier.
You do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on costly air conditioning systems. The right homemade dehumidifier could be all you need to bring the moisture down to an acceptable level.
How to Tell if your Indoor Humidity is Too High?
Here are some simple ways to help you find out if your indoor humidity level is too high;
You can’t Stop Sweating
If you have been sweltering recently, it is probably because the humidity in your home is too high. It can be irritable when you feel like your skin is constantly sticky or clammy. Although it’s hard to control outdoor air, you have control over your home’s indoor humidity level.
Visible Condensation on Windows
Another clear sign of excess humidity is condensation on the insides of windows or walls. This moisture build-up happens during the winter when outside temperatures plummet. And cold surfaces cause water within warm, humid indoor air to condense. When left unattended, the condensate may cause stains or water damage on various surfaces around your home.
Current of Cool Air
If some of your windows and doors are drafty, you could have a humidity problem. A house that lets in a lot of outside air tends to have elevated moisture levels.
Molds on Walls and Ceiling
Mold spots in the corners or on the ceiling of a room are another sign of too much moisture in the air. Mold sports emit musty odors when growing. If you cannot spot any mold, kick your sense of smell up a notch.
Use Hygrometers to Measure the Humidity Level in your Home
- Air Comfort Indicator: This humidity meter with humidity level icon indicates air conditions - DRY/COMFORT/WET, allowing this humidity sensor to ensure you’re always aware of changes to your home/household with just a quick glance
- High Accuracy & Quick Refresh Rate: This inside thermometer features a high accuracy of ±2–3%RH and ±1°F, making it ideal for measuring fluctuating readings like those found in a greenhouse; Data measurements are updated every 10 seconds to give you the latest updates on your environment
- High & Low Records: This hygrometer digital thermometer displays high/low temperature and humidity levels to allow you to make proper comparisons using your home’s data
- Healthier Home & Environment: This thermometer hygrometer with temperature and humidity monitor ensures proper indoor humidity that achieves important health benefits for skin and allergen; Can also serve as a refrigerator thermometer, freezer thermometer, reptile thermometer, soil thermometer, humidor hygrometer, cigar hygrometer, and more
- Practical Design: This indoor room thermometer features a tabletop stand and a magnetic back, place the temperature monitor on your counter or fridge; °F/°C selector; Powered by an AAA battery (included)
Last update on 2023-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Even if none of the signs cited are showing, you can still accurately measure your home’s humidity level using a hygrometer. Hygrometers are devices used to measure the amount of water vapor in air. The good thing is that you can buy these brilliant yet budget friendly devices for less than $10.
6 Benefits of Using a Dehumidifier in your House
You have made the first step towards solving your humidity problem by recognizing that it does exist. Now, it is time to weigh your dehumidification options. When used correctly, a household dehumidifier can be effective at achieving the moisture level you desire.
- Dehumidifiers get rid of excess moisture by drawing in wet air, drying it, and then releasing it back to your environment. By lowering humidity, they eliminate allergens such as dust mites, molds, and mildew.
- They help to reduce odors that come from mold and mildew, rotting wood and ceiling boards, and damaged concrete.
- By reducing humidity levels in your home, your clothing will dry quicker. Food will also stay fresh longer. Moreover, you will find fewer signs of corrosion on items like electronics and tools.
- These devices can decrease energy costs when used to supplement an air conditioning unit. When the air is too moist, the air conditioner works more to heat or cool it to the pre-set temperature. It, therefore, tires out quickly and you must repair or replace it more frequently.
- Dehumidifiers can improve your health. If you are suffering from allergies or other symptoms, the answer to the question of whether you need a dehumidifier is an undisputed YES.
- They function quietly and efficiently without disrupting your peace. A good quality unit will work without you even noticing.
12 Ways to Make a DIY Homemade Dehumidifier
If you want guaranteed all-year humidity control for your entire home, you may need to buy a dehumidifier. Better yet, you can still maintain low humidity without spending a fortune. The 12 ideas below are super easy to execute. Although one of them might not be enough alone, you can combine a few to create your nice, moisture-free space.
1. Adding Humidity Absorbing Plants
Did you know that some plants can absorb water from the air instead of receiving it through their roots? Such indoor plants can be effective dehumidifiers, especially when used with other solutions. Peach Lily, Reed Palm, English Ivy, and Tillandsia are excellent examples of humidity-absorbing plants. They can also be suitable replacements for the indoor plants you already have.
2. Ventilation
Proper ventilation can play a significant role in humidity control. Vents ease the movement of air in and out of a home which improves indoor air quality. When done correctly, it can also lower humidity.
3. Heating
Humidity is often associated with the warm summer months. But the cold winter can cause humidity levels to skyrocket. A good space heater can help you beat the cold as well as the humidity. By warming your house with dry heat, you can cut the moisture and dampness in the air.
4. Taking Shorter, Cooler Showers
Long hot shower is a good way to relax after a long day, but it can expose your home to high moisture levels. You can turn this around by routinely taking colder and shorter showers. Installing efficient bathroom appliances like low-flow showerheads can also help to cut humidity. The savings you will get on your heating bills will be an added advantage.
5. Fixing Water and Air Leaks
When investigating the cause of high humidity and you uncover a localized water spot on the floor or ceiling, your culprit is a leak. Your first step must then be to turn off the water. Assess the leak and determine if you need an expert to fix it. If the water has caused significant damage or mold, you might need to have the area remediated.
Besides water leaks, air leaks can also drive up the humidity in your home. If your windows and doors are letting in air, use weatherstripping to seal the inlets.
6. Opening Windows and Doors
The simplest way to achieve temporary relief from high humidity is to open a few windows and doors. The air circulation you enable will do a lot in reducing the stuffy feeling of a humid home.
7. Air-Drying Clothes and Dishes
Unless it is raining outside, you have no good reason to hang wet clothing indoors to dry. The water evaporating from your clothes has nowhere to go but into your living space. If you have a humidity problem, you might solve it by hanging these items outside.
If you use a dishwasher, turn off the heat-dry option and allow your dishes to air dry. Air-drying reduces the heat and water vapor coming from the dishwasher.
8. Use a Fan
- CLASSIC CEILING FAN: The traditional Builder Deluxe fan comes with LED light covered by toffee glass that will keep home interior inspired; Measures 52 x 52 x 17.77 Inch
- MULTI-SPEED REVERSIBLE FAN MOTOR: Whisper Wind delivers ultra-powerful airflow fan with quiet performance; Change the direction from downdraft mode during the summer to updraft mode during the winter
- LED BOWL LIGHT KIT: Energy-efficient dimmable LED light bulbs let you control the lighting and ambiance of the living space; The long lasting bulbs have longer lifespan than traditional bulbs
- PULL CHAIN CONTROL: Turn the bronze ceiling fan on/off and adjust the speed quickly and easily with the pull chain
- ROOM PLACEMENT: Indoor fan is height adjustable, via the included 2" & 3" downrods, to ensure proper distance from the ceiling and optimize air movement; Ideal fan for living room, lounge, and bedrooms
Last update on 2023-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When it is warm and humid, a ceiling fan can be a straightforward solution for reducing room moisture. When the fan rotates counterclockwise, it circulates cool air downwards. The moisture in the warm air below condenses leaving your air dryer.
Using an exhaust fan while cooking, cleaning or bathing can prevent the excess moisture build up in your home. Exhaust fans pull hot, warm air from your house and release it outdoors. They also help to remove odors from cooking and cleaning.
9. Avoid Boiling Water on Humid Days
If it’s humid outside, some of the moist air will get into your home regardless of what you try. Do not increase the moisture in your indoor air further by boiling water unnecessarily. Boiling water fewer times will reduce the steam in your indoor air while reducing your energy bill.
10. Insulate Problem Areas
Windows, cracks on walls, and pipes can be entryways for moisture. Insulating these areas can help you to decrease humidity significantly. Effective insulating materials are plastic wrapping for windows and caulk for cracks in your wall.
For more drastic measures, you can waterproof your walls entirely. Some waterproofing materials include Xypex and Drylok.
11. Redirect Downspouts
Downspouts that drain water close to the foundation of a house can cause persistent humidity problems. So, redirect downspouts to drain the water at least five feet away. It is also a good idea to have at least a one-foot-wide gap between your garden and the border of your home.
12. Make a DIY Dehumidifier
Are you the kind of person that prefers to save money by getting your hands dirty? Well, you can make an effective dehumidifier from common substances in no time. Rock salt, for instance, can absorb a significant amount of moisture from your home. Just put some in a bucket and place it strategically in a problematic area like your basement or attic.
Related Articles: Best Dehumidifier Under $100
DIY Calcium Chloride Dehumidifier
DIY Charcoal Dehumidifier
DIY Thermoelectric Dehumidifier
Wrap Up
High indoor humidity can adversely affect your quality of life. Thankfully, dehumidifying a room does not have to be a complicated and expensive endeavor. When deployed appropriately, the ideas above can work so well that you would not need an off-the-store dehumidifier. Try them today. We would love to hear the results.
We suggest you also check out our article on how to make a homemade humidifier to improve the quality of air in your rooms.
