Got that sticky, clammy feeling in your home? Windows fogging up? Maybe you've even spotted mold creeping into corners? You're not alone. High humidity ruins furniture, breeds mold, and makes your living space feel like a swamp. After battling humidity in my old basement apartment for years (and wrecking two antique bookshelves), I finally cracked the code. Forget flimsy quick fixes – let's talk real solutions for how to decrease humidity in the house.
Why Humidity Wrecks Your Home (And Health)
Humidity above 60% isn't just uncomfortable. It's a silent homewrecker. Ever open a closet and smell that musty odor? That's mold having a party at your expense. Worse, it triggers allergies and asthma. My cousin developed a chronic cough until she discovered her "cozy" 70% humid bedroom was the culprit. Ideal indoor humidity sits between 30-50%. Above that? Trouble.
The Sneaky Sources of Home Humidity
- Cooking & showers: Boiling pasta adds 1/2 cup of water vapor to your air. A 10-minute shower? Nearly 1/4 cup.
- Drying clothes indoors: One load releases 1-2 liters of water (hanging jeans in my living room spiked humidity by 15%!).
- Poor ventilation: Older homes trap moisture like Tupperware.
- Groundwater seepage: Damp basements often mean cracked foundations (a $6,000 lesson I learned too late).
- Overwatered houseplants: That lush fern is basically a mini humidifier.
Action Plan: How to Decrease Humidity in the House Effectively
Ventilation: Your First Defense
Crack those windows strategically. Open opposite-facing windows for cross-breezes. Run exhaust fans during showers and for 20 minutes after. Pro tip: If your bathroom fan sounds weak, hold toilet paper near it – if it doesn't stick, upgrade the fan (I installed a 110 CFM Panasonic and humidity dropped 12% instantly).
Warning: Don't ventilate on rainy days! Opening windows when outdoor humidity is 80% makes things worse. Check weather apps first.
Dehumidifiers: The Heavy Hitters
For serious moisture battles, dehumidifiers are non-negotiable. When my basement hit 70% humidity, a Frigidaire 50-pint model pulled 3 gallons daily. Here's what matters:
- Capacity: Match size to space (see table)
- Energy Star rating: My old unit cost $40/month to run; the new one? $12.
- Auto-drain: Hook to a floor drain or pump – no daily bucket emptying.
| Room Size (sq ft) | Recommended Capacity | Daily Water Removal | Avg. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | 30-pint | 1-1.5 gallons | $150-$250 |
| 1,000 | 50-pint | 2-3 gallons | $200-$350 |
| 1,500+ | 70-pint | 4+ gallons | $350-$600 |
Placement matters! Put it near moisture sources (laundry rooms, basements) but 6 inches from walls. Run it continuously during humid months – shutting it on/off wastes energy.
My Mistake: I bought a cheap $99 "high-capacity" dehumidifier from a discount store. It died in 4 months and sounded like a helicopter. Invest in reputable brands like Midea or hOmeLabs.
Air Conditioning: Not Just for Cooling
Your AC naturally dehumidifies by condensing moisture on cold coils. But most people set thermostats too high for dehumidification. Try this:
- Set to 68-70°F (20-21°C) during humid spells
- Use "Dry Mode" if available (prioritizes moisture removal)
- Replace filters monthly – clogged filters reduce dehumidifying efficiency by 40%
CAUTION: Oversized AC units cool too quickly and don't run long enough to remove humidity. If your home feels cold but damp, this might be your problem.
Moisture Absorbers: Small-Space Solutions
Silica gel packs work great for closets or cabinets. For rooms under 200 sq ft, calcium chloride crystals (like DampRid) pull moisture into a collection bucket. Pros? Cheap ($5-$15) and silent. Cons? Can't handle large spaces. I use them in my linen closet – humidity stays at 45%.
Structural Fixes: Stop Moisture at the Source
If you've got water seeping through walls or floors, band-aid solutions fail. Here's what works:
- Grading: Soil should slope 6 inches away from foundations per 10 feet
- Seal cracks: Use hydraulic cement for basement walls ($20/bucket)
- Vapor barriers: 6-mil plastic sheets under crawl spaces ($0.50/sq ft)
Waterproofing my foundation cost $2,800 but solved 80% of my humidity issues permanently. DIY solutions? Often temporary.
Humidity Hacks You Haven't Tried
Beyond the basics, these tricks made surprising differences:
- Shorter cooler showers: Dropping shower temp from 105°F to 95°F reduced my bathroom humidity by 18%
- Lid-on cooking: Always cover pots – reduces steam escape by 70%
- Houseplant audit: Moved moisture-loving ferns outside; kept succulents indoors
- Charcoal briquettes: Place in bowls to absorb odors/moisture (replace monthly)
- Double-pane windows: Prevent condensation that drips onto sills and breeds mold
Dehumidifier vs. Air Conditioner: Which Wins?
| Feature | Dehumidifier | Air Conditioner |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Remove moisture | Cool air |
| Humidity Control | Precise (% setting) | Incidental |
| Energy Use | Moderate (300-700W) | High (900-3500W) |
| Best For | Basements, laundry rooms | Whole-house cooling |
| Cost to Run 24hrs | $0.50-$1.50 | $2.50-$7.00 |
Verdict: Use AC for cooling + mild humidity control. For serious decreasing humidity in the house, dehumidifiers are cheaper and more effective.
FAQs: Your Humidity Questions Answered
Will bowls of salt reduce humidity?
Minimally. Rock salt might absorb surface moisture in tiny spaces (like a cupboard), but for a room? Useless. My test: 2 cups of salt in a damp 150 sq ft room reduced humidity by just 3% in 48 hours.
How long does it take to dehumidify a house?
With a properly sized dehumidifier: 8-12 hours for noticeable relief, 2-3 days to reach ideal levels. Severely damp basements? Up to a week. Quick fixes don't exist – consistent effort wins.
Do dehumidifiers use a lot of electricity?
Energy Star models use about as much as a refrigerator. My 50-pint unit costs $15-$25 monthly running 12 hours/day. Cheaper than replacing mold-damaged furniture!
Can high humidity make you sick?
Absolutely. Dust mites thrive above 50% humidity (triggering allergies). Mold spores cause respiratory issues. My doctor confirmed my sinus infections stopped after I got home humidity under 45%.
What's the cheapest way to reduce humidity?
Ventilation + habit changes. Run exhaust fans religiously, take cooler showers, dry clothes outside. Cost: $0. My electric bill dropped $40/month after fixing these.
When to Call a Pro
DIY has limits. Hire specialists if:
- You see standing water in basements (possible foundation issues)
- Humidity stays >60% despite running a dehumidifier 24/7
- Mold covers >10 sq ft (toxic black mold requires remediation)
I wasted $400 on temporary fixes before calling a basement waterproofing company. Their $3,500 solution (exterior drainage + vapor barrier) saved me $12k in future structural repairs. Sometimes professional help is the budget move.
Winning the war against humidity isn't about one magic solution. It's about consistent ventilation, smart appliance use, and fixing structural leaks. Start with exhaust fans and habit tweaks. Graduate to a dehumidifier if needed. And if walls sweat or mold persists? Call the experts. Your lungs and hardwood floors will thank you.
Leave a Comments