High humidity levels in laundry rooms can lead to problems like musty odors, moisture accumulation, and growth of mold and mildew. However, there are several effective ways to reduce humidity and maintain a comfortable level of dryness in your laundry area.
Causes of Excess Humidity in Laundry Rooms
Some common causes of excess moisture in laundry rooms include:
- Doing multiple loads of laundry in a short time – All that steam and evaporation from hot water adds a lot of moisture to the air.
- Poor ventilation – Laundry rooms, especially in basements, often have little or no ventilation to allow moisture to escape.
- Leaks or condensation from appliances like dryers, washers, hot water heaters.
- High ambient humidity – Humidity can travel from other parts of the home into the laundry area.
- Lack of climate control – Laundry rooms without AC systems or dehumidifiers will absorb moisture from the air.
Tips to Decrease Humidity
Here are some tips to effectively reduce humidity in your laundry room:
Improve Ventilation
- Use exhaust fans – Install a powerful exhaust fan and use it when doing laundry to vent out moist air.
- Open windows – Open windows and doors when possible to allow cross ventilation.
- Add vents – Increase air circulation by adding vents to connect the laundry room to the rest of the home.
- Fix dryer venting – Ensure dryer exhaust vent is properly connected and clear of lint buildup.
Control Moisture Sources
- Fix leaks – Detect and repair any leaks in plumbing, appliances, sinks that add excess moisture.
- Insulate pipes and ducts – Wrap hot water pipes and AC ducts to prevent condensation.
- Vent appliances outside – Dryers, hot water heaters and other appliances should be vented outside.
- Limit washing – Avoid doing multiple loads of laundry in a short period to minimize steam.
Use Dehumidifiers
- Portable or whole home dehumidifiers will actively extract moisture from the air.
- Install units sized appropriately for the room according to the manufacturerâ€TMs recommendations.
- Make sure the dehumidifier drains properly to remove collected water.
- Use hygrometers to monitor humidity levels and adjust dehumidifier settings accordingly.
Add Air Conditioning
- Window or portable AC units can lower humidity along with cooling the room.
- Central AC systems control humidity for the whole home.
- Maintain a relative humidity around 45-50% for optimal comfort and moisture control.
Other Tips for Laundry Room Moisture Control
- Use moisture absorbing products – Place containers of salt, baking soda or dehumidifying crystals in the laundry room to absorb excess moisture from the air.
- Circulate air – Use fans to keep air circulating throughout the laundry area.
- Raise thermostat – Warmer air can hold more moisture, so maintain moderate warmth in cold weather.
- Seal floor and walls – Fill cracks and gaps where moisture can seep in from outside or other areas.
- Avoid hanging laundry indoors – Clotheslines and racks can release a lot of moisture while drying laundry inside.
Conclusion
Controlling humidity in laundry rooms involves addressing the sources of moisture, improving ventilation, using dehumidification equipment, and maintaining proper air circulation and climate control. Pay attention to signs of excess humidity like musty odors, condensation, or mold growth and take action promptly to protect your home from moisture damage.
| Humidity Level | Comfort and Mold Risk |
|---|---|
| Below 30% RH | Very dry and uncomfortable |
| 30-45% RH | Ideal comfort zone for most homes |
| 45-55% RH | Acceptable comfort zone |
| Above 60% RH | High moisture content – Increased risk of mold |
