How to Identify and Control High Humidity in Your Home: Practical Tips and Cleaning Advice

When humidity rises indoors, signs such as condensation forming on walls appear, which can cause wood rot and structural damage. It also makes the air smell unpleasant, indicating mold growth. Below are important home steps and essential tips to help clean areas with high humidity.

Signs indicating high humidity in the home

Using a fan to ventilate the house helps improve air circulation.

Although a hygrometer is more accurate, certain signs inside the home can indicate high humidity levels, such as:

• Condensation on surfaces and foggy windows.

• Moldy smell: Mold and fungi grow in damp, warm, dark rooms with poor ventilation. Bathrooms and laundry rooms with poor ventilation are more prone to mold and fungi. A musty, sour smell indicates fungal growth. Wood rot causes a similar odor.

• Peeling paint: Accumulated water droplets on walls or any surface for long periods can cause paint to start peeling.

Tips to reduce humidity in the home

Several methods work together to reduce humidity levels inside the home, including:

• Installing weather stripping: If high humidity is a recurring problem, outdoor air likely enters through gaps around doors and windows. Buy weatherstripping kits or use adhesive foam around doors and windows to block moist outdoor air.

• Running air conditioning: Many close windows and turn on the AC to cool the house but don’t realize AC also reduces indoor humidity. If you suffer from high humidity, keep the AC running for extended periods to remove moisture.

• Covering pots while cooking: Cooking generates moisture, especially boiling water or frying food. To reduce humidity from cooking, cover pots and pans to prevent steam from escaping into the air.

• Sealing cracks and gaps: Cracks in walls, ceilings, windows, doors, or foundations allow hot, humid air to enter. You can seal door or window frames with caulk or filler, but it’s best to consult a professional to inspect and repair hidden issues.

• Using an outdoor clothesline: During warmer months, dry laundry outside to release moisture outdoors rather than raising indoor humidity.

• Taking cooler showers: Hot showers release more steam and moisture into the air. If humidity is high, lower the shower temperature.

• Improving air circulation: Airflow helps dry damp surfaces and evenly distribute moisture. Poor airflow causes heavy, stagnant air, increasing humidity and mold growth. Use ceiling fans or portable fans, and move furniture away from corners to avoid trapping air in tight spaces.

• Opening interior doors and windows: Keep doors and closets open to improve airflow. Open windows preferably at night when outdoor air is cooler.

• Using dehumidifiers: Portable or whole-home dehumidifiers help control high humidity. Consult experts to choose a unit suitable for your home size.

• DIY dehumidifiers: Place baking soda in bowls in damp areas; it absorbs moisture. When hardened, replace the baking soda. Also, place charcoal in containers around the house to absorb moisture gradually—ideal for small spaces.

• Preventing leaks: Even if gutters direct water away, leaks from cracks in foundations or poor landscaping can raise indoor humidity. Homeowners should repair foundation cracks and invest in exterior waterproofing. Leaking pipes, fixtures, drains, or appliances also increase humidity; fix leaks promptly to avoid damage such as peeling paint, tile loosening, wood rot, mold growth, and structural damage. If unsure about leak sources or repairs, contact professionals.

Helpful steps for cleaning wet or damp bathroom floors and walls

• Perform a thorough cleaning at least once a week for optimal cleanliness; heavily used damp rooms may require more frequent attention.

• Remove movable items like bath mats or hygiene supplies.

• Vacuum the floor to remove hair and debris that become slippery when wet.

• Gently scrub floors with a non-abrasive brush, focusing on rough or non-slip areas where dirt accumulates.

• Clean drains, grout, and spots with lime scale or soap residue using a small brush or old toothbrush.

• Rinse floors with clean water, then dry thoroughly with a soft mop or towel to prevent slipping hazards.

• When cleaning walls, start from the top and work downward to avoid dripping on cleaned areas. Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth or sponge, paying special attention to tiles and water-prone areas. For tough stains, apply an eco-friendly cleaner, leave it for a few minutes, then gently scrub and rinse.

• Wear non-slip shoes during cleaning to avoid falls and ensure good ventilation in the room.

• After each use, wipe walls and floors with a rubber squeegee to reduce water spots and soap residue.

• Regularly check and clean drains to prevent blockages.

• Maintain good ventilation to reduce moisture buildup and prevent mold and fungi growth.