Get rid of humidity and moisture

Measure the humidity, fix where the water comes from, and dry the air. Covers basements, windows, and whole-house dampness.

Guides

• Get Rid of a Musty Smell in Your House A musty house smell means mold or mildew is growing somewhere damp. Find the source, dry and clean it, and keep humidity down so it doesn't come back.
• Get Rid of Humidity in a Basement Measure basement humidity, stop water getting in, and run the right dehumidifier to keep it below 60%. A simple plan that works.
• Get Rid of Humidity in a Bathroom Bathroom moisture leads to mold on the ceiling, grout, and caulk. Run a fan that vents outside long enough, wipe surfaces down, and let the room dry.
• Stop Condensation Inside Car Windows Car windows fogging up on the inside? Clear them fast with the A/C and fresh air, then dry out the wet mats, leaks, and dirty glass that cause it overnight.
• Get Rid of Moisture in a Crawl Space A damp crawl space makes the whole house musty. Fix the water outside, cover the dirt with a vapor barrier, and keep the humidity down.
• Get Rid of Humidity in Your House Measure indoor humidity, cut the biggest moisture sources, and use fans, AC, or a dehumidifier to keep your home between 30% and 50%.
• Get Rid of Mold on Walls Clean small patches of wall mold with detergent and water, then fix the damp that caused it. Here's how to do it safely, and when to call a pro.
• Get Rid of a Musty Smell in the Basement A musty basement smell is mold or mildew growing on something damp. Find it, clean or throw it out, dry the air, and the smell goes.
• Get Rid of a Musty Smell in a Closet Closets go musty when damp air sits against a cold wall with no airflow. Air it out, wash what smells, and keep the moisture down.
• Get Rid of Condensation on Windows Water on the inside of your windows means the air is too humid or the glass is too cold. Here's how to fix both, room by room.

Useful products

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ENERGY STAR dehumidifier

hOmeLabs ENERGY STAR Dehumidifier, 4,500 sq ft

Basements, laundry rooms, and any space that stays above 60% humidity. Pulls water out of the air and collects it in a bucket or drain hose.

Good to know: Pick a capacity that matches the room size and how damp it is. A model with a drain-hose outlet saves you from emptying the bucket. ENERGY STAR models use less electricity.

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Digital hygrometer

AcuRite Digital Indoor Thermometer and Hygrometer

Measuring indoor humidity so you know whether you have a problem and whether your fix is working. Cheap, and the first thing to buy.

Good to know: Give it 30 minutes to settle after you move it. Readings of a few percent apart between units are normal.

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Moisture absorber tubs

DampRid Fragrance Free Hanging Moisture Absorber (6 pack)

Small, closed spaces with no power outlet: closets, cupboards, under sinks, boats, and RVs.

Good to know: These are too small for a whole room or basement. The collected liquid is salty and irritating, so keep tubs away from kids and pets.

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Window insulation film kit

Duck Brand Indoor Window Insulation Kit (10 windows)

Single-pane or drafty windows that drip every winter. The film traps a layer of air so the inside surface stays warmer and wetter air doesn't reach the cold glass.

Good to know: It's a winter fix. Remove it in spring, and still bring the indoor humidity down.

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N95 respirator masks

3M Aura 9205+ N95 Particulate Respirator

Protecting your lungs from mold spores and dust while you scrub mold or tear out moldy materials. The EPA suggests an N95 for small mold cleanups.

Good to know: It has to seal against your face to work, and beards break the seal. It doesn't filter gases or chemical fumes.

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Crawl space vapor barrier

10 mil Crawl Space Vapor Barrier, 10 ft x 100 ft

Covering a dirt crawl space floor so ground moisture cannot evaporate into the crawl space and the house above it.

Good to know: The DOE suggests at least 6 mil, seams overlapped by 12 inches, and the sheet run 6 inches up walls and piers. Fix standing water and drainage first.

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Humidity-sensing fan switch

Leviton Humidity Sensor Switch for Bathroom Fans

Bathrooms where the fan gets switched off too soon. It turns the fan on when humidity rises and keeps it running until the room has dried.

Good to know: It replaces a standard wall switch and may need a neutral wire. If you're not comfortable with wiring, have an electrician fit it.

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Shower squeegee

OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Squeegee

Clearing water off shower walls and glass in 30 seconds, so less of it evaporates into the room or soaks into grout.

Good to know: Works best right after the shower, with the fan running.

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Reusable silica car dehumidifier

wisedry Rechargeable Silica Gel Dehumidifier, 2 x 500 g

Soaking up moisture in a parked car overnight so the windows fog less in the morning. Also works in closets and gun safes.

Good to know: The beads change color when full. Dry them in the microwave as the label says, and keep the bag off the dashboard so it can't slide while you drive.

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