A high level of humidity in your home can lead to damp, moist areas that act as a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Bathrooms are common places where this happens, as they are constantly exposed to excessive moisture.
Small, confined spaces are predisposed to mold growth, and besides the aesthetic aspect of this issue, having the walls of your bathroom, the tub or the shower covered in mold and mildew can expose your loved ones too serious health issues.
If you require a humidifier and do not want to read the entire article, below are the recommended items from the article. (Low, Medium and High Price)
When dealing with Bathroom Mold, the best humidifier is the Midea MAD20C1ZWS Dehumidifier for up to 1500 Sq Ft with Reusable Air Filter
However, this will depend on several things, like if you want it to do several tasks – like Dorm Room, or Cold and Flu symptoms.
There will also be costs for the humidifier - like Mist Type, Water Tank Capacity, Coverage Area and Noise Level. So as you can see, there is a lot in picking the right humidifier!
Before deciding on the best way to get rid of bathroom mold, you need to understand how and why mold growth usually appears so easily and frequently in bathrooms more than in any other area of the house.
Since mold causes moisture in order to grow, mold spores can easily multiply in a space where water is regularly present on almost all surfaces, and, more importantly, in the air, as steam.
You might think that mold only appears on permeable surfaces, that keep moisture, but the truth is it can develop on virtually any material, provided that the humidity levels in the room are constantly high and there is not enough ventilation.
So, you heard humidifiers help regulate the levels of humidity in your house and wondered if a humidifier can help with this fungal nightmare. The truth is, besides increasing air circulation in the affected area, your best bet for bathroom mold is a dehumidifier which helps decrease the level of moisture in the air.
A portable dehumidifier can be a fantastic solution for preventing and eliminating bathroom mold, especially if you do not have an exhaust fan in the bathroom.
When the humidity in your house is lacking, you usually buy a humidifier to fix the problem. But what do you do when there is too much humidity in a room that does not have enough air circulation? If you already have a problem with bathroom mold, a valid question would be: can a dehumidifier remove mold?
If you feel you have a problem with high humidity that is causing mold to develop in your bathroom, use a hygrometer to measure if the relative humidity in your home, and especially in your bathroom, is below 50%. If it goes past that level, get a dehumidifier, a device that pulls moisture from the air, almost like a sponge would, and thus reducing the humidity levels.
The quick answer would be no, but it should be mentioned that dehumidifiers help prevent and manage mold growth by eliminating excessive dampness. Mold uses spores to multiply and eliminating them 100% is an unrealistic task. Even if you keep the moisture within normal limits, mold can survive and remain dormant, until the humidity levels in the bathroom raise again, which is when it starts to grow again, in patches.
There are multiple health benefits of using a dehumidifier to prevent and control bathroom mold development. Mold can be an allergy trigger, and keeping it in check with a portable dehumidifier can save you a lot of time and money spent on antiallergic medicine and nerves, and spare you from irritating symptoms, such as nose stuffiness, sneezing, skin rashes and itchy eyes.
Using a dehumidifier also reduces stale odours that always appear in rooms with high levels of humidity.
Besides the obvious health benefits, there is also an aesthetic and financial aspect at stake. You would not want to remodel your bathroom again just because you did not keep the humidity levels in check, so using a dehumidifier is a surefire way to shield wooden objects from excessive moisture. Damaged furniture on top of a mold and mildew “invasion” does not sound like an appealing scenario, so why risk it?
With those undeniable benefits in mind, you might wonder which dehumidifier works best for bathroom mold and this is where having some criteria to judge by comes in handy.
First, you need to measure how much moisture is released in your home and figure out what the average humidity level is in your bathroom. For a better result, probably install a small dehumidifier in every room that has a high level of humidity or go for a big dehumidifier, that can absorb large amounts of moisture, which can be used for the entire household.
If you choose multiple small dehumidifiers for your bathroom, kitchen, basement and bedrooms, consider that the smallest model can absorb 30 pints per day, while larger dehumidifiers can absorb up to 90 pints per day.
Choosing the right dehumidifier depends on the humidity in your area and how much moisture is released in your home. It is generally a good idea to have one installed in the basement, bathroom, or kitchen where humidity levels are higher.
There are dehumidifiers made for small rooms, but models that cover an entire house also exist. The smallest dehumidifiers absorb 30 pints per day and the largest, 90 pints per day.
If you are using a dehumidifier to fight bathroom mold, be careful where you place it, depending on the model and keeping in mind that it can be dangerous if you don’t use it correctly.
For dehumidifiers with air discharge on top, the placement is easy, as you can install it against a wall without fear that it might not work. For models that work by pushing air out of the side, the dehumidifier should be placed in a way that allows air to circulate freely.
So, instead of shoving the dehumidifier in a corner and calling it a day, try to leave up to 12 inches of space between the unit and the bathroom walls or furniture.
Portable dehumidifiers are excellent solutions for lowering the humidity in the bathroom after you take a bath or a shower, so that mold does not have enough moisture to develop, but consider either a cordless dehumidifier (such as condensate dehumidifiers and desiccant dehumidifiers) or a battery-operated model.
Since using electrical equipment in the bathroom is dangerous, if you want to use an electrical dehumidifier, just make sure you place the appliance as close to the bathroom door as possible and plug it in in a socket that is located outside the room.
The best way to dehumidify a bathroom is by using a fan and opening the windows. Moisture will slowly escape through the bathroom's openings, so it's important to keep the doors closed. But if you're looking for a quick fix, here are some tips on how to dehumidify your bathroom:
The following are tips on how to dehumidify a bathroom:
Closing the windows will help to dehumidify the room, but keep in mind that not all bathrooms have windows, so it's best to double-check this first. Also, make sure no doors are open for ventilation. Also , the pressure inside the house can reduce the freshness of hallways.
Although this should be the first fix you try, it's not always possible to use a dehumidifier in your bathroom. If you do have access to one, then use a large-capacity model that won't take up any more space than your bathroom needs. Check your local hardware store for information on selecting and installing one.
You should also make sure that you have adequate ventilation around the unit so that there is no moisture buildup in corners or behind walls. You can also try opening windows in the area, but keep in mind that this will reduce airflow in other areas of your home.
No matter how many times you run the shower, you can't get rid of all of the moisture in it. Turning down the thermostat that controls your bath's hot water heater will increase its energy efficiency and reduce humidity in the bathroom.
Even though this might take a little while, drying out wet items will help to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Try to hang your towels up somewhere where they'll dry quickly, like near a vent fan or window.
If you're in a rush, turn on your bathroom fan to help them dry faster. After drying out wet items, make sure to seal them in an airtight container, such as a plastic bag.
If you're really concerned about the humidity level in your bathroom, it's best to use a dehumidifier overnight. Cover open outlets with electrician's tape so that no moisture is released into the air. By morning, most of the moisture will be gone and you can take it out of the room and place it somewhere else where it will be more useful to you.
Ventilation is a big concern for homeowners. You can't always control the temperature of your home, and even if you could, you probably wouldn't want to. At least with a fan, it's not necessary to use so much energy to try and keep your bathroom cool or warm. You can also install an exhaust fan for better air circulation in the room that won't increase your electric bill.
Summertime is a big concern for homeowners. Although you may want to shower and use your bathroom more during the hot day, try to schedule it for a more moderate time, such as in the evening after it starts cooling off outside. You'll be more comfortable, and you won't have to worry about wiping sweat from your brow or turning on a fan or air conditioner.
Another way you can avoid dehumidifying your bathroom is by keeping the windows open elsewhere in your house. You may not be able to keep air circulating all of the time, but sometimes it's worth it to have some fresh air in other parts of your home.
Even if you're not trying to dehumidify a bathroom, you still have to keep it sanitized. Use an antibacterial spray in the room at least once a week. This will help eliminate mildew from growing on walls or floors, which could cause your whole house to smell.
Another fix is to use an odor-reducing product in the bathroom. This will help you get rid of any unwanted smells that may be lingering in the room without having to purchase a dehumidifier.
If you can, try to add an exhaust fan somewhere near your bath, or even another one in your house. This will help to remove some moisture from the air, and it's relatively cheap compared to purchasing a dehumidifier. If it's not possible to install an exhaust fan, consider using a bathroom with windows for more circulation.
Many homeowners don't realize that a showerhead collects and holds moisture in the room. If you continue to use it, this water can build up and create mold, which could be a health hazard. To get rid of this problem, clean your showerhead at least once a month.
You can use vinegar or baking soda to disinfect it while you clean it, then wipe it with a damp cloth to remove all of the gunk. Make sure to turn off or run the water in your bath while cleaning so that you don't accidently get water on the floor.
Please Note: Just because a humidifier is marked, for example “Baby Room”, it will still work for other things, for example “Living Room” or “Plant Humidifier”
Again, the humidifiers below are probably the ones that you will need to buy!
The prices of these are low, medium and high. This will give you the best range. The lower prices will not have all the bells-and-whistles, and the higher price one's will.
When winter sets in, molds are inevitable because the humidity levels drop. Humidifiers help in ensuring that the temperatures are level. If your humidifiers are not well maintained, they become a sprouting ground for mold. The mold contaminates the air because of the excessive wetness.
You can prevent the occurrence of mold by adding white vinegar to the humidifier. Vinegar contains a natural antibacterial agent. It inhibits the growth of molds by killing the already sprouted spores. Hydrogen peroxide, small amounts of chlorine, or bleach prevent mold from growing. Also, make it a routine to clean the humidifier properly.
Wetness in the bathroom facilitates the growth of mold. Painting your bathroom with a semi-gloss paint. Because it inhibits the growth of mold and can prevent mold from developing. You can also use an anti-fungal spray. It reduces moisture from accumulating in the bathroom inhibiting any mold growth.
Always open the bathroom windows to let in the fresh air. Aeration reduces any accumulated air and hampers mold growth. Clean the bathroom, tub, and sink and drain any moisture. Make it a weekly routine to prevent mold from growing.
Also, seal any leaks in the bathroom. They allow moisture to accumulate and encourage mold growth.
Ventilating your bathroom can be easily done by installing an exhaust fan. This unit prevents excessive moisture from accumulating by pulling out air. It reduces humidity, ensuring that mold doesn't develop in the areas.
A ceiling fan or a dehumidifier can aid in ventilation and free the room of excessive moisture. Whatever option you choose should maximize ventilation by aerating the bathroom frequently.
Other ventilation tips include ensuring your bathroom is well lit. Cleaning the bathroom regularly and installing high-gloss surfaces to prevent water from accumulating.
If you require more information, please check these references
Characterization of Mold and Moisture Indicators in the Home , article, "oeh.tandfonline.com", retrieved on, Fri 23-October-2020
Two Studies of Mold and Mildew in Florida Buildings , article, "journals.sagepub.com", retrieved on, Fri 23-October-2020
Indoor visible mold and mold odor are associated with new‐onset childhood wheeze in a dose‐dependent manner , article, "onlinelibrary.wiley.com", retrieved on, Fri 23-October-2020
