How to reduce indoor humidity without a dehumidifier

The best way to reducing humidity indoors is with a dehumidifier. However, if you do not own a dehumidifier or the humidity problem is mild, these are a few hacks you can use to dehumidify your home. These methods are fairly easy and use equipment you would already have at home.

 

 1. VENTILATE YOUR ROOM

Keep your home ventilated, especially in areas that usually create moisture such as your kitchen and the bathroom. Open windows and doors if possible, and keep vents or fans on for longer to ensure sufficient ventilation. Having proper ventilation in your home for at least a few hours a day can greatly help to reduce indoor humidity.

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2. AIR CONDITIONING

Turning on your air conditioning not only cools down the room, it will also help reduce indoor humidity especially during humid weather.

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3. FANS

Fans are excellent at moving warm stale air around in the room. A fan will increase the air flow in the room that will remove excess moisture through evaporation.

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4. REPLACE FURNACE / AC FILTERS

Clean your furnace and AC filters units regularly. If your furnace or AC filters are clogged, they will slow down air flow and won’t be as efficient in reducing humidity.5. TAKE SHORTER OR COLDER SHOWERS

Showers produce a lot of excess steam that will increase humidity indoors. The longer your shower, the more steam is produced. To reduce the excess moisture, crack a window open or leave the exhaust fan on a little longer after your shower. Alternatively, take colder showers if you can – they produce less steam and has less effect on humidity. Moreover, cold showers can be good for your health!

 

6. LINE DRY CLOTHES OUTDOORS

Hanging wet clothes indoors will increase indoor humidity levels, especially in rooms where ventilation is bad. The best option to reduce indoor humidity is to hang clothes to dry outdoors, especially during humid seasons. If that is not an option (such as in apartments with no balconies), then use a clothes dryer that is vented to the outdoors.

 

7. CRACK A WINDOW OPEN

The easiest trick to reduce indoor humidity is to crack a window open! Create more airflow by leaving the window open to dry the air out especially in damp rooms such as the bathroom and kitchen.

 

8. PLACE HOUSEPLANTS OUTSIDE

Did you know plants release moisture vapor into the air? Temporarily place your plants outdoors. Also make sure to not over-water your plants.

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 9. USE YOUR KITCHEN EXHAUST FANS

Oven and stove-top cooking produce moisture in the air. While cooking, try your best to cover your food to keep steam inside and turn up the kitchen exhaust fans.

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10. REPLACING YOUR RUG

Rugs have a tendency to collect moisture especially when humidity levels are high indoors. If you notice your rug getting damp or smelling moldy, send it to the dry cleaners to get cleaned.

 

11. REPAIRING YOUR WALLS

Walls that have cracks or holes can also introduce moisture indoors. Warm, moist outside air can travel indoors through cracks and holes during warm, humid weather. This can cause condensation on materials indoors if they are cooler than outside air. If that condensation is not wiped up quickly, it can cause issues such as rotting wood, mold and mildew. Regularly check your home’s external walls to ensure there are no cracks and fix them properly.

 

12. A BASKET OF CHARCOAL BRIQUETTES

Charcoal briquettes can help remove humidity and even odors from the air, thanks to their adsorption properties. Buy a cheap bag of charcoal and fill it in a basket. The charcoal will last for 2-3 months. If possible, look for coconut shell charcoal. This charcoal has high adsorptive power and resists powdering in adsorption – a very important factor.

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13. ROCK SALT

Another solution on how to reduce indoor humidity without a dehumidifier is using rock salt, a hygroscopic material. This means that it draws and stores water molecules from its surrounding environment, pulling excess moisture out of the air similar to a dehumidifier.

Take two plastic tubs of the same size. Put an object inside the first tub to elevate the second tub. Drill holes in the second tub and fill it with rock salt. Place the second tub and put it in the first tub. In a few days there will be some water in the bottom tub. Check the bottom tub daily to empty the water.

You may also use silica-based kitty litter, zeolite rocks and well as calcium chloride as substitute to rock salt.

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These tips on how to reduce indoor humidity without a dehumidifier is based on a few things; keeping good airflow indoors by using proper ventilation as well as absorbing moisture in the air using clever, moisture absorbing materials.

If none of these tips work to reduce indoor humidity in your home, you may have a serious humidity issue. If that’s the case, consider investing in a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers not only pull excess moisture in the air, they also protect your home from mold and bugs and can help dry laundry more efficiently indoors.