Did you know that dehumidifiers aren’t just meant to combat basement flooding or bathroom mold? Believe it or not, there are tons of different ways you can use a dehumidifier around your house. Here are twenty reasons to use a dehumidifier you may not have known about:
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Keep Your Favorites Dry
We all have those special items that we just don’t want getting ruined. Running a dehumidifier by your stored keepsakes is a great way to ensure they stay that way. Excess humidity can cause books, photos, and important papers to warp or grow mold spots. By placing a small dehumidifier in your home library, you can protect them for years to come.
Musical instruments are another thing you may have laying around. Because of that, did you know they are extremely susceptible to high humidity? Wooden bases can crack, keys can stick, and electronic components can be ruined. By running a dehumidifier in the room your instruments are stored, you can keep them sounding great.
Help You Relax in Comfort
Did you know that high humidity makes you feel hotter than the actual temperature? That is why your air conditioner works so hard on muggy days to keep you cool. However, when you remove water from the air, you feel cooler even at higher temperatures! By using your dehumidifier with your air conditioner, you can actually save money on energy bills.
Another great way to use a dehumidifier is to run it while you sleep. Dryer air allows your body to sleep better at night. Not only does the air feel fresher, but you wake up feeling less groggy and more rested.
Dry Your Laundry Faster
Everyone knows that drying your laundry indoors can save you money on electricity. However, when your clothes are hanging all over your house they can take weeks to fully dry. Not to mention how wet air makes your house feel dirty and swampy.
But did you know that when you run a dehumidifier, your clothes dry faster? Because there isn’t as much moisture in the air, your hanging clothes won’t take forever to dry. Put your drying rack next to your dehumidifier and watch those clothes dry quicker than ever before.
Ease Your Allergy Symptoms
If you suffer from allergies or breathing difficulties, you know damp air can make those symptoms worse. Dust mites thrive in high humidity levels, so keeping your home between 30-50% humidity can help keep them at bay. Run a dehumidifier to help ease those itchy eyes and runny noses.
Breathing is also much easier when you use a dehumidifier. Mold spores also spread through high humidity, causing distress to those with asthma. By using a dehumidifier, you eliminate these airborne allergies.
Extend The Life of Your Food
If you thought your pantry was immune to humidity, think again! When there is excess moisture in your home, your food suffers. Crackers become stale, cereal loses its crunch, and even your bag of brown sugar hardens.
However, when you keep a small dehumidifier by your food storage areas, you keep food fresher longer. You’ll save money by not tossing out moldy bread and enjoy tasty meals.
Protect Your Electronics
We spend so much money on electronics these days. Televisions, computers, and video game consoles are expensive to replace. However, did you know that humidity is an electronics’ worst enemy? When air gets too damp, condensation can build up inside of your electronics and ruin them.
By running a dehumidifier in rooms with lots of electronics. You’re ensuring they’ll last longer without having to be repaired.
Help You With Your Hobbies
Painting, crafting, and woodworking are fun hobbies to have. However, many people don’t realize humidity can have negative effects on your finished product. When painting, you’re less likely to see brush strokes or bubbles when humidity is under control. Paper, glue, and fabric are dried-out by excess moisture in the air. By using a dehumidifier when crafting, you’re ensuring your products turn out how you intended them to.
Keep Pests Away
We all hate bugs and insects in our homes. However, did you know they need moisture to survive? By lowering the humidity in your home, you make it less attractive to them. Which means less bug problems and less pest control bills.
Termites and carpenter ants love moisture-wicked wood. By running a dehumidifier, you’re protecting your largest investment! Your home.
Help With Home Improvement Projects
Speaking of home improvement, painting and renovating can also be improved with a dehumidifier. Paint and caulk actually cure faster when humidity is lower. Not to mention you’ll finish your projects faster when everything dries quickly.
If you’re installing new flooring, you want your materials to acclimate properly. Whether you’re putting down hardwood, laminate, or tile; a dehumidifier can help.
Freshen Up Your House
Ever notice how some houses just have a musty odor you can’t shake? That’s because when humidity is high, smells are trapped in the air. However, when you run a dehumidifier, your house will smell cleaner and fresher. Believe it or not, your furniture and carpet smell better too. You won’t have to buy as many air fresheners or odor destroying sprays. Your house will smell great all year round.
Case Study: Household Dehumidifier Trial Removes Condensation/Mould in UK Home
Family Completes DIY Dehumidifier Experiment In British Semi-Detached House To Remove Condensation and Prevent Mold.
Real home setting:
A University research study was done using a standard dehumidifier in a suburban home in Cambridge UK to measure its effect on humidity levels and condensation over the course of 28 winter nights.
Instead of increasing ventilation or upping the thermostat (both costly solutions), the family used a consumer-grade portable dehumidifier they picked up at their local hardware store:
Results:
Operating the dehumidifier each night for 28 days removed an average of 680 ml of water from the air.
Total instances of window condensation went down dramatically to an average of 0.4 droplets per window after using the dehumidifier.
The family noticed their major condensation issues were solved and “the house felt warmer and dryer.”
Most importantly, the unit reduced overall humidity enough to prevent excessive mold growth without cracking open the window or leaving heaters running all night.
Energy use was minimal — using the dehumidifier on the study’s schedule would cost only £23–£28 ($35–$43) per year to operate. Costs were far less than other options like heat-exchange ventilators or running heaters day and night:
You can read the full dehumidifier case study here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378778810002173
Another before/after view of how the dehumidifier impacted condensation levels in the UK home:
Mold loves moisture just as much as we humans do. By keeping indoor humidity in check with a dehumidifier, you can prevent mold growth in basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms and more.
FAQ: Protect your home from mould and mildew with a dehumidifier
What is mould and mildew?
Mould/mildew are forms of fungus (like mushrooms) that enjoy damp places. They become visible as black, green, or grey fuzzy spots (mould) or white-to-grey flat spots (mildew). Mould and mildew send harmful airborne spores into the air that can irritate allergies.
Mold can survive on almost anything, but it takes “liquid water” to grow. As moisture condenses on your walls, floors and ceilings, that’s exactly what mould is feeding on. Stifling humidity creates the perfect environment for mould and mildew to thrive indoors.
How do dehumidifiers help prevent mold growth?
Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air by cooling air down and capturing water vapour. Less moisture = Lower humidity levels. If you can keep humidity under control, you keep mould spores from getting the “liquid water” they need to grow into health hazards.
Does a dehumidifier kill mold?
No. To kill mold, you need to remove it by cleaning infected surfaces. A dehumidifier can help you prevent future mold growth by lowering the humidity level in your home.
Do I need a dehumidifier in every room?
Not necessarily. Dehumidifiers are ideal for:
- Basements (prevent dampness)
- Bathrooms and laundry rooms (extract excess humidity)
- Closets (protect stored clothes, books and papers)
- Sleeping areas during summer
My last point is key here — many people find using a dehumidifier in main living areas and bedrooms during humid seasons makes a huge difference. You may not need one everywhere though.
What humidity level should I keep my home at?
The ideal humidity range for homes is anywhere between 30%–50%. This range is comfortable for most people and keeps you from over-drying the air (a royal pain if you have wooden flooring).
Will a dehumidifier cool down my home?
Yes! You’ll feel cooler because you’ll sweat less. Humidity makes you feel warmer than rooms are by making your body feel like it can’t cool itself properly (Science!). Drier air = feeling cooler and less sticky.
Should I leave my dehumidifier on all the time?
No. Most quality dehumidifiers come with automatic humidistats these days. That means your unit will only turn on when needed to reach your desired humidity level.
Do dehumidifiers help with allergies?
Yes! A simple way to reduce allergens in your home is by controlling moisture. Dust mites and other allergies love humidity. They can’t survive as easily at lower humidity levels.
Final Words
There you have it! Those are just a few extra ways you can use a dehumidifier around your house. Dehumidifiers are such helpful tools that can prevent you from spending money elsewhere.
Not only can they save you money, but they can protect your belongings and family. Start using that dehumidifier in areas you never tried before. See what benefits you can find on your own. Your home will thank you!
