Tricks to Dehumidify a Home

In the Shower

• A 10-minute shower results in a pint of moisture going into the air, according to North Dakota State University. Additional moisture enters the home when towels are allowed to air dry on racks in the bathroom. Cut down on humidity not by eliminating showers, but by showering with cooler water to produces less evaporation and humidity. Operating a vent fan, blowing to the outdoors, removes the humidity from the bathroom before it can spread around the home.

In the Kitchen

• Cooking contributes moisture to the air in the kitchen. Use a vent fan or vented hood above the stove to remove the moisture-laden air as quickly as possible. Limiting the “simmer time” of foods on the stove and making sure no faucets drip also reduces moisture contributions from the kitchen.

Furniture

• Furniture setting close to outside walls prevents air circulation in those areas and can result in moisture buildup. Place the furniture far enough away from these walls. Keep all interior doors open to promote air circulation as well. This helps eliminate high-humidity spots within the home.

Drying out the Home

• If the humidity level in the home is already high, you can use the furnace and air conditioner to help things dry out, according to Florida State University. Run the furnace with a thermostat setting of about 80 degrees for an hour. The warm air will cause moisture in furniture and carpets to vaporize and become airborne. Set the thermostat down to 65 degrees so the air conditioner kicks in for about 3 hours. The air conditioner removes moisture from the air thereby lowering the level of humidity in the home. Repeat the process as necessary to reduce the humidity to comfortable levels.