For a healthy air quality in the home, it is important that there is a healthy humidity level. When the humidity is too high, problems can occur. It is then important to lower the humidity in the house.
In this article I discuss the consequences of too high humidity, how you can combat this and what you may need for this. Let’s quickly start lowering the humidity in the house.
Why lower the humidity in the house?
Let me first start with the question of why it is important to lower the humidity in the home. This is really only necessary if the humidity is too high. Earlier I did research into what is normal humidty in a house. It emerged that the ideal humidity fluctuates between 40% and 60%.
Do you measure a humidity of, for example, 70% in your home? Then it is necessary to lower this as quickly as possible to at least 60%. Failure to do so can result in annoying problems.
At a humidity above 60%, the humidity is too high.
Consequences of high humidity in the home
If there is too high humidity for a long time, this can have nasty consequences. The most common consequences at a glance:
- Mold on the walls and ceiling (black mold)
- Condensation on the windows
- Wooden furniture can rot
- Wooden floors can expand
- Wallpaper can come off
- Stucco can damage and crumble
Many of these consequences can eventually even lead to physical complaints. For example, black mold can cause respiratory complaints1Black mold exposure, Medicalnewstoday.com.
You can do this to lower the humidity
It should be clear that it is time for action if the humidity in the house is too high. But, how do you lower the humidity in an effective and fast way? I’ll list some interesting tips.
Open the windows regularly
Fresh outside air is very important for good air quality in the home. It is therefore advisable to open the windows for a while every day. This ensures good air circulation and often maintains the humidity level.
Cook with the lids on the pans and use the extractor hood
If you cook a lot in the house, it is wise to always turn on the extractor hood. It is also smart to cook with the lids on the pans as much as possible, so that the spread of water vapor is less in the house.
Let the laundry dry outside as much as possible
A major source of humidity is wet laundry. Many people place a drying rack with antte laundry in the living room or in the hall, but this is not a good idea. It is smarter to let the wet laundry dry outside. This prevents excessive humidity in a specific room.
Dry the bathroom well
If there is a room where the humidity is high, it is the bathroom. Not surprising, because we often use a lot of hot water. Warm water condenses, after which the humidity quickly increases.
It is advisable to dry the bathroom thoroughly after using the shower or bath. Think of drying the windows, mirrors and shower curtain and the walls. For example, use a window squeegee to make it easier for yourself.
Provide good ventilation
Finally, there may of course also be rooms without windows. These must also be well ventilated. Consider a mechanical exhaust system in the home or open the door of these rooms often. In this way, the humidity can also be reduced in these rooms.
Maintain low humidity
Once you have lowered the humidity to 60% or below, it is desirable to maintain a low level. It is recommended to use an air quality sensor if you are not using it already. This way you can keep a close eye on the level of the humidity and take immediate action if this proves to be necessary.
You could even use smart air quality sensors. These can send you a notification on your smartphone. An example is the new TAPO 315 Smart Sensor or the IKEA VINDSTYRKA.
Consider a dehumidifier
If you notice that the humidity has quickly returned to its old level or that you often regularly suffer from the complaints just mentioned, it may be smart to consider a dehumidifier. With a dehumidifier you can quickly dehumidify the air. Curious about a good example? Then read my extensive Qlima D620 review.
References
Bram Tigchelaar
Bram is the co-founder of Purifiertester.com. Together with his brother, he gives advice for cleaner air quality in your home. He combines decades of experience in the world of air quality products with a passion for product testing. Questions about his approach? Feel free to send him a message!
