If you live in a hot, humid part of the US, you’re putting your body under immense stress if you don’t control humidity in your home or workplace.
Although most of us are not fans of sweat, it’s our body’s best mechanism to keep us cool in hot temperatures. The moisture in humid air reduces your ability to sweat, which means your body has to work much harder to cool itself down. And that’s the case whether you’re sitting around watching TV or working out.
To learn more about how to control humidity in an indoor environment, read on!
Install Exhaust Fans
What are the dampest rooms in your home? The kitchen and bathroom, of course!
Whether taking a hot shower or cooking pasta, all that steam has to go somewhere. And if you don’t have exhaust fans installed, it will simply circulate your home until it condenses on walls, floors, and ceilings.
Exhaust fans remove the damp air before it can raise the humidity levels.
Line Dry Your Laundry
Americans tend to be baffled by the tradition of hanging clothes on a line to dry. While it might be common practice in other countries, most people in the US use a clothes dryer to dry their laundry.
However, if you’re controlling humidity in your home, it might be time to take a leaf out of an Australian homeowners guide. Unless your laundry room is well vented to the outside, all that moist air discharged from the dryer makes your house humid! Instead, try drying your clothes on a line outside or in the garage on a clothes horse.
Invest in a Dehumidifier
One very effective way to reduce home moisture is to use a dehumidifier. These portable machines can be moved from room to room or placed in one room and run permanently. For example, putting a dehumidifier in crawl space can effectively reduce humidity in your entire house.
Just remember that these machines work by collecting the water in the air and condensing it into a container. So you need to empty them regularly.
Replace Carpet With Moisture-Proof Flooring
Flooring is an area of the home that’s often overlooked when getting rid of moisture in the air.
Carpets are typically made of absorbent materials, which attract and retain moisture. If you live in a subtropical or tropical climate that doesn’t get that cold in winter, consider replacing your carpet with wood or vinyl floor panels or ceramic tile.
Don’t Cook By Boiling
To reduce humidity in the home, don’t boil your food or use cooking appliances that work by boiling or steaming. When you boil water, some water evaporates and turns into steam. This steam billows up from your stovetop and proliferates through your home.
Instead, try to use grilling appliances like air fryers, portable grills, or your oven.
Control Humidity With These Simple Tricks
You may not be able to implement all of these tactics in your home, but even practicing just a few will help to control humidity. Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive, either. There are many other tips and tricks available online, so do some research on your own to find what works for your particular space and climate.
For more helpful homeowner advice, browse the other articles on our blog.