Help- your bathroom is damp and humid, what can you do? Want to know how to dehumidify a bathroom? Home Health Living has compiled a list of 10 handy ways to cut moisture and dehumidify your bathroom, and we look at what causes condensation.
If you’re someone who has wondered:
-How to remove moisture from bathroom
-How to keep bathroom dry
-How to get rid of humidity in bathroom
then you’ll want to read on and find out how.
10 ways to cut bathroom moisture:
- Open windows to let cool air in
- Use a dehumidifier for bathrooms
- Switch on your exhaust fan while showering
- Use a heater while showering
- Remove damp items such as wet towels after a bath
- Double glaze your bathroom windows
- Use a mirror defogger
- Wipe down wet areas in the bathroom such as the basin
- Time your showers
- Fill your bath with cool water first.
With a few easy steps you can reduce the moisture once you learn how to dehumidify a bathroom.
1. Open windows to let cool air in
Open the bathroom window after you have a bath/shower. If it isn’t too cold, leave a window open while you are in the shower. This lets the warm air out of your bathroom and the cool air in. If you don’t do this, the warm air hits the window and walls of the bathroom and turns into condensation which means, yep you guessed it, water in your bathroom.
2. Use a bathroom dehumidifier
A dehumidifier works by drawing in moist air, removing the moisture, and then blowing out the dry air back into the room. The moisture is retained in the dehumidifier to be emptied. This is an effective way to reduce moisture in the bathroom. You can read our guide to suitable brands and models.
If your bathroom doesn’t have an exhaust fan and proper ventilation, it’s a good idea to use a dehumidifier. It doesn’t have to be a large dehumidifier- there are mini dehumidifiers perfect for bathrooms of all sizes.
3. Switch on the exhaust fan while showering
If you have an exhaust fan, switch it on after your bath/shower.
Don’t have an exhaust fan? Check out this awesome exhaust fan with Bluetooth speaker:
4. Use a heater in your bathroom
If you have heating in your home or even in the bathroom, or you have an electric towel rail, turn it on before using the bath/shower. By heating up the bathroom, the walls and mirror will be warmer, which will reduce the likelihood or amount of condensation.
We recommend the following best-selling heated towel rail.
5. Remove damp items
Remove any damp towels and mats from the bathroom and let them dry outside.
How do I stop damp in my bathroom?
By keeping your bathroom dry when not in use, you will stop damp and problems with dampness in your bathroom.
6. Double glaze windows to prevent condensation
Single glazed windows tend to be colder and so create more condensation. This can be reduced by double glazing your bathroom window.
7. Use a mirror defogger
Condensation on the bathroom mirror adds more moisture to the room. You can either wipe your mirror dry with a cloth, or you can purchase a mirror with a built-in defogger. This keeps the mirror warm and prevents condensation from occurring. You can also buy a defogging spray.
Or check out this beautiful vanity mirror with LED lighting and defogger:
8. Keep your bathroom dry
Wipe down any water on the floor, walls, vanity and shower with an old towel, to keep the room as dry as possible.
9. Time Your Showers
Think about giving up your long hot shower/bath. By reducing the time you spend in the shower, this will reduce condensation. You can use a shower timer like this cool waterproof shower time.
10. Fill your bath with cold water first
When filling your bath, run the cold water first and then the hot water to reduce steam.
These easy steps will help you dehumidify your bathroom. By focusing your efforts on increasing ventilation, maintaining an adequate temperature and making a few adjustments to your bathroom habits, you will reduce the moisture levels in your bathroom and prevent the common problems associated with bathroom humidity and condensation.
Frequently asked questions about how to dehumidify a bathroom
Bathroom Humidity- what causes it?
Humidity in the bathroom is caused by condensation and can lead to various problems: promoting bacteria and mold growth, causing paint or wallpaper to peel and potential slippery hazards. The National Institute of Health has published information on damp and health problems.
The problem is worse for bathrooms without adequate ventilation, especially those without windows or fans. Bathroom mold and grime can be a pain in the neck to clean- not to mention a health hazard, being a common trigger for asthma and allergic reactions. It’s important to dehumidify your bathroom to prevent these problems from occurring.
What Causes Condensation
Condensation occurs when warm, moist air (ie. steam) comes into contact with a cold surface, typically while the bath or shower is being used. The cold surfaces in a bathroom cause the warm air to condense into droplets of water. In a bathroom, typical cold surfaces include the window, walls, ceiling and mirror.
Why do my windows steam up on the inside?
This is because the steam in the bathroom hits the window. If your window is open then the steam is able to leave the bathroom and the cool air from outside will cool the bathroom down.
How do I reduce the humidity in my bathroom?
You can reduce the humidity in your bathroom by keeping it well-ventilated and dry, using natural methods or purchasing a bathroom dehumidifier.
How do I keep my bathroom dry?
By following the 10 tips in this article, you have a better chance of keeping your bathroom dry and also by using a bathroom dehumidifier.
Should you leave the bathroom door open after your shower?
Yes, leaving the bathroom door open after your shower will let any steam leave the room so it doesn’t cause condensation and will also help cool down the bathroom.
Summary
Here are our 10 tips again to dehumidify your bathroom:
- Open windows to let steam out and cool air in
- Use a small bathroom dehumidifier
- Switch on the exhaust fan while showering
- Use a heater
- Remove damp items
- Double glaze windows
- Use a defogger
- Keep your bathroom dry
- Time your showers
- Fill your bath with cold water first then add hot water
And a bonus tip: Use these plants in your bathroom to absorb moisture.
Here are some government and other expert articles on humidity and dehumidifiers:
United States Environmental Protection Agency main ways to control moisture in your home
National Asthma Council of Australia indoor humidity and your family’s health
