Global interventions to support American interests
If the downspout is facing the direction of your home, it could be creating indoor water leaks. Make sure it's turned away from your home and extended at least six feet (two meters).
Hot showers can introduce a lot of humidity to your space. Instead, colder showers will decrease the amount of steam in the air, as well as humidity levels.
Ceiling fans are great, as they get air moving across an entire room, from the top down. Even having one at the lowest setting can keep the airflow more refreshing.
Make sure to use a pot lid to cover your pots when cooking. It will prevent vapor from entering the air in your home, decreasing the development of moisture.
Instead of drying your laundry indoors, do so outside on a clothesline or an outdoor drying rack. Particularly in warm months, wet clothes add humidity to the air, which you want to avoid.
Be sure to repair any leaks or drips in your home, as they add moisture to the environment, which contributes to the humidity.
Carpets are a hygienic nightmare and notorious for retaining tons of moisture. If possible, do remove carpeting from your home.
A humidity monitor is a great tool that will allow you to check the moisture levels of the air in your home. This way, you'll know what you're dealing with.
A dehumidifier is a handy tool that will keep your home dry and cool. It will remove the moisture from the air as it passes through.
If there's a crawl space, moisture from the soil might be entering your home. By installing a vapor barrier over the soil, it will prevent humidity from entering your living space.
Surprisingly, gutters can cause humidity inside if not well maintained. So make sure to clean your gutters regularly, and that they're effectively carrying water away from your home's foundation.
Make sure to keep surfaces dry. Wiping down kitchen and bathroom surfaces after use prevents evaporating water from accumulating in the air.
If everyone in the household is okay with a bit less privacy, keep all the interior doors open. It will encourage better air circulation.
Cracked walls can allow moisture into
your home, especially during warm and wet weather. This could result in costly damages and serious mold problems.
During colder periods, provide sufficient heat to all indoor areas in the home. Ensure it flows over exterior walls, ceilings windows, and doors.
Houseplants release a lot of moisture in the air, so if you have many, they could be adding humidity to your home. Consider moving them outside temporarily.
This is quite obvious, but it's a good reminder. Don't use a humidifier, as they will only add moisture to the air. It's definitely not what you want when dealing with humidity.
Even when it's humid outside, opening the windows can still help dehumidify your home. The fresh air moving in will discourage moisture from settling, which is overall helpful.
Weatherstripping around your windows and doors creates an airtight seal that prevents humidity buildup. You can easily buy a weatherstripping kit, or just adhesive-backed foam, at your local home goods store.
For areas in your home where there aren't any ceiling or exhaust fans, use a classic standing plug-in fan. They will help with the general airflow of the home.
Rugs can absorb a lot of moisture. Make sure they don't smell like mold, mildew, or fungus. If so, have them cleaned or toss them out.
Clogged air filters reduce the function of your air
conditioning unit. This hinders your unit's capacity to reduce humidity. Maintenance is key for keeping things working.
Sources: (Forbes) (Martha Stewart)
Silica-based cat litter absorbs plenty of moisture from the air. Which actually makes sense, as cat litter is designed to absorb liquids.
Rock salt is a great DIY dehumidifier. Easily found online or at a local home goods store, it's a practical tool for absorbing moisture.
The AC will naturally decrease the humidity by removing warm air and introducing cool air to your home. Don't forget to frequently change the filter to maximize the airflow.
During colder periods, you'll notice a lot of condensation around your windows. Do wipe it up, as you don't want mold growing.
Charcoal briquettes aren't just for barbecuing! They'll actually suck the moisture out of the air and absorb it. Place a few in a container and replace them every two to three months.
Baking soda is another effective DIY hack that eliminates moisture. Place it in bowls in any area where humidity is high. However, baking soda works best in smaller rooms, so use charcoal or rock salt in larger areas.
When doing any activity, like cooking or showering, that introduces heat into your home, make sure to use the exhaust or ventilation fan. It will increase airflow and decrease humidity.
Indoor humidity can be a real pain, as all that water vapor sticks to the air and makes your home feel like a damp sponge. On top of that, humidity in your home can cause serious hazards. Indeed, excess humidity can lead to mold and rot on surfaces, which is not only bad for your home, but for your health as well.
Mold, viruses, and bacteria all thrive in high humidity, which can ruin your things and have adverse effects on anyone with allergies or a respiratory condition. However, the good news is that there are several ways to alleviate moisture in your home. Want to know how? Then check out the following gallery.
How to lower humidity in your home
Here's how to combat humidity, once and for all
LIFESTYLE Tips
Indoor humidity can be a real pain, as all that water vapor sticks to the air and makes your home feel like a damp sponge. On top of that, humidity in your home can cause serious hazards. Indeed, excess humidity can lead to mold and rot on surfaces, which is not only bad for your home, but for your health as well.
Mold, viruses, and bacteria all thrive in high humidity, which can ruin your things and have adverse effects on anyone with allergies or a respiratory condition. However, the good news is that there are several ways to alleviate moisture in your home. Want to know how? Then check out the following gallery.