Moisture in a room can be soaked up by dehumidifiers for large areas, or natural/DIY options like calcium chloride (DampRid), rock salt, charcoal, or baking soda in bowls for smaller spots. Plants like Pothos, Begonias, and Orchids also absorb humidity, while improving ventilation by opening windows and using extractor fans is key.
One effective method is using rock salt, a natural dehumidifier. Placing rock salt in a bucket or tray in damp areas can help absorb excess moisture from the air. This is a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach to managing small-scale humidity issues.
A simple way to reduce the dampness in your home is to keep it well-ventilated. The best way to do this is to keep your windows open and ceiling fans running. If possible consider using fly-screens instead of windows to increase the ventilation in a room.
Increasing ventilation can draw out excess moisture. Ventilation fans that vent the air and moisture outside of your home help. Install and run ventilation fans in bathrooms and in the kitchen. Opening windows can also help with ventilation.
Ways to Dehumidify Your Home Naturally
Rock Salt. The most popular DIY dehumidifier is the one that works the best—rock salt. Rock salt naturally absorbs moisture out of the air, making it a great choice to use as a dehumidifier. To make a rock salt dehumidifier, you'll need a bag of rock salt and two 5-gallon buckets from a hardware store.
Yes, 70% humidity in a bedroom is too high; it exceeds recommended levels (ideally 30-50%, max 60%) and creates an environment ripe for mold, dust mites, mildew, and discomfort, potentially disrupting sleep and damaging your home.
Simple Ways to Dehumidify a Room Without a Dehumidifier
Open a Box of Baking Soda
Baking soda, while also effective at absorbing odors, can also absorb moisture. If one room is more humid than others, leave an open box of baking soda on a window sill. Rock salt and calcium chloride are also good at wicking up moisture.
Water can enter your home by leaking or by seeping through basement floors. Showers or even cooking can add moisture to the air in your home. The amount of moisture that the air in your home can hold depends on the temperature of the air. As the temperature goes down, the air is able to hold less moisture.
Overall, while a dehumidifier can work on its own, using a fan can enhance its performance and help achieve a more comfortable and healthier indoor environment more quickly.
Not only can baking soda help remove unwanted odors from your home, but it also has a high water absorption capacity, which can remove moisture in wet air. Simply leave a bowl of baking soda in a room with excess humidity. The bigger the room, the more baking soda you'll need.
Symptoms of excess home moisture include window condensation, mildew, mold, peeling paint and excessive dust mites. To control a moisture problem, first identify the source and remove it. If not possible, use ventilation or a dehumidifier.
Is DampRid as good as a dehumidifier? No. Chris says: “Our testing found DampRid is nowhere near as rapid or effective as a good dehumidifier, but for its price, it is an option worth considering for low-level damp problems.
You can reduce humidity in a room without a dehumidifier by ventilating it properly, turning on the air conditioner (if you have one), buying moisture-absorbent plants, or using baking soda or desiccants to remove excessive moisture.
What Fans Cannot Do. Remove Moisture: Fans don't extract water vapor from the air—only air conditioners and dehumidifiers can do that. Prevent Mold Growth: Circulating humid air doesn't stop mold, which thrives in damp Florida conditions. Lower Energy Bills: Fans won't make your HVAC system run more efficiently.
Rock salt naturally absorbs moisture, making it perfect for DIY projects. It's effective in reducing humidity and is simple to set up, providing a cost-efficient option for your home.
“Salt has the ability to naturally absorb moisture from the air and essentially dries it out so that when it does come in contact with the glass, there are less droplets of condensation that will form," Andy Ellis, home and garden expert at Posh.co.uk said in a statement seen by the Mirror.
Silica Gel
Silica Gel is a moisture absorber made from sodium silicate. It has a high specific surface area which makes it a a very powerful desiccant or drying agent.
7 Signs It's Time for a Dehumidifier:
How to Dehumidify The Home — Without A Dehumidifier
Mold needs 55% or higher humidity in order to grow. Also, remember that reducing humidity below 30% isn't a good idea, either.
Opening windows promotes more airflow, which enhances ventilation inside the building. This guides in eliminating sticky, humid air and supplanting it with drier external air. Ventilation is essential in regions like kitchens, showers, pantries, and other rooms where dampness is delivered.
The constant breeze may cause discomfort if you have allergies. If you are already sick, the fan's constant air flow may further aggravate your symptoms, making you feel worse than before. If you are using a fan, it is advisable to use a humidifier or keep a glass of water near your bed.
Barometer and Altimeter is a free Android app that reports the temperature and humidity using your Android's built-in sensors. If your Android does not have built-in sensors, the app uses your GPS to find the temperature and humidity based on a nearby weather station.