How to Use a Bathroom Dehumidifier to Reduce High Humidity in Your Bathroom (Nov 2024 update)
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A hot shower is just what you need when you get home after a long day's work. However, it can be a real pain if your skin feels sticky even after a refreshing bath. Installing a bathroom dehumidifier will not only help you reduce humidity in your shower area, but it will also help prevent common issues like mould and mildew.
Did you know that an imbalance in indoor moisture negatively affects property and human health? For instance, increased humidity leads to condensation build-up and dampness. Condensation and dampness can ruin your wall paint or bathroom wallpaper.
Moreover, mould, bacteria, and viruses also rely on moisture to thrive. And since the bathroom is the most humid room in your home or flat, an increase in humidity encourages the growth of viruses and bacteria that trigger health problems. Once the mould sets in, it can cause severe damage to your walls, which can be costly to fix.
This is why it is important to have a dehumidifier in bathroom spaces, especially in Summer when humidity is high. Also, dehumidifying the bathroom in Winter is important because of the condensation that forms when we warm up our houses while the outside is extremely cold.
So, which bathroom dehumidifier is right for you?
The goal is to find a bathroom dehumidifier that will be efficient enough to control the relative humidity to the size of your bathroom. You also need to know where to install your dehumidifier in the bathroom to get the most out of it.
What to consider when choosing the best bathroom dehumidifier UK
Bathroom size
The size of your bathroom will determine the type of dehumidifier to buy. Typically, the relative humidity in most homes is between 35% and 50%, which is considered healthy. When humidity rises beyond this range, it will affect your walls and probably your health.
So how do you know what dehumidifier capacity is right for your bathroom size? To know this, you have to measure the capacity of your bathroom dehumidifier. Capacity is how much moisture the appliance can filter out from the air in a given period. Always choose a dehumidifier that can handle the level of dampness in your bathroom.
A Morris 12L dehumidifier would be a perfect dehumidifier for bathroom areas that are about 500 sq. feet in size. If you can always feel the dampness in the air, can see damp spots on your walls, and can smell a musty odour, then a 12L dehumidifier would suffice.
Humidity detection
Did you know that lots of Brits live in a house or flat affected by dampness and mould, and only a few realise it? A moderately wet bathroom is way safer compared to an extremely damp one. Also, if your bathroom has poor ventilation, water takes time to evaporate, which keeps the area humid for longer.
You want a dehumidifier that will detect changes in humidity levels. The appliance will then regulate its operating capacity to accommodate the changes. Doing so ensures there is no residual humidity that will continue to destroy homes or cause illnesses.
Ease of use
The simpler it is to run a small portable dehumidifier, the easier your life will be when regulating indoor humidity. Many UK homes are choosing compact dehumidifiers with wheels. These can be moved around easily with little hassle.
Also, go for a bathroom dehumidifier with built-in smart features. Such an appliance allows you to remotely operate it with a smart device. Alternatively, you can calibrate the dehumidifier and leave it to do its work, providing one of the best set-and-forget experiences.
Tank size
Since the bathroom is where most moisture is found, you need a dehumidifier with the capacity to extract all that moisture. A small collection tank will need to be emptied often to maintain optimal humidity in your bathroom. It is always a good idea to go with a large-sized dehumidifier tank to minimise the off-loading frequency.
The Morris 20L Dehumidifier would be ideal for small and large bathrooms. The 20L tank capacity is enough to work in most humid bathrooms, especially one where you keep your clothes as well. What's more, this dehumidifier features an extraction hose that automatically empties the dehumidifier for you, allowing for a set-and-forget experience.
Drainage
Dehumidifiers have a drainage mechanism to empty their collecting tanks to create more room for capturing excess moisture. If your bathroom always experiences high humidity, especially after showering, you need a dehumidifier with a fast-draining mechanism.
If you are in the market for something compact and portable, we would recommend the Morris 12L Dehumidifiers all come with a fast drainage port. This feature ensures that the dehumidifier is not overwhelmed in between running times.
Auto shut-off feature
Unless you also keep laundry in your bathroom, there is no need to keep the dehumidifier running when no one is using the bathroom. Fortunately, modern dehumidifiers like the Morris premium line come with an auto-shut-off feature. This feature automatically turns off the dehumidifier when there is no moisture to extract and to conserve energy as well.
Space for the dehumidifier
It is a good idea to consider a compact dehumidifier, especially for bathrooms with limited space. For instance, the Morris dehumidifiers have a compact, narrow design that can fit snugly in tight corners in your bathroom or your bedroom. Moreover, compact dehumidifiers are designed to be lightweight, making it easy to move them around. You can have the dehumidifier running when there is moisture to remove and then tuck it away when not in use.
Dehumidifier placement for maximum humidity control
Where you place a dehumidifier in bathroom determines how effective it is in reducing condensation and dampness. As a rule of thumb, dehumidifiers should be placed in areas with constant airflow. Near windows and other ventilation, points should be okay.
Never place your bathroom dehumidifier near walls. Dehumidifiers suck in damp air and put out fresh purified air while collecting the moisture content in an in-built reservoir. Placing the dehumidifier next to walls is likely to block the air inflow points and prevent the appliance from functioning effectively.
You have to think of noise when dehumidifying a bathroom. Picture yourself on those relaxed Friday evenings, soaking in a tub and enjoying the quiet. The last thing you need is a noisy dehumidifier buzzing nearby. Luckily, Morris Silent Dehumidifiers have a 36dB noise rating, which makes them one of the quietest dehumidifiers on the UK market.
Another great tip we can add is placing your dehumidifier where it can take in as much humidity as possible. In the bathroom, you would want the dehumidifier closer to the shower area, where there is lots of mist coming out of the shower. A portable dehumidifier like the Morris 20L Silent dehumidifier can be placed on a countertop next to your hot water sink. It will absorb as much moisture and keep the air around this area fresh.
While not all bathrooms remain misty once you shower, some still retain tiny bits of moisture, which can raise humidity levels. We find it safe to have a modern dehumidifier that comes with an inbuilt humidity detector. Our Morris dehumidifiers have an inbuilt 3-light humidity detector that will help you accurately predict the levels of humidity in your bathroom.
Additional tips for reducing humidity in your bathroom
These tips will help reduce moisture in your bathroom, allowing your bathroom dehumidifier to do less work. This, in turn, reduces the cost of running a dehumidifier in your home.
● If your bathroom has outside opening windows, keeping them open before and after showering will let out most of the moisture.
● Take damp towels out to dry and remove any damp clothes from the bathroom. Also, avoid drying clothes in the bathroom to reduce humidity levels.
● Wipe wet tiles with a dry cloth, and always demist your mirrors. Mop the floor to remove any pool of water left behind while showering.
● If you have ventilation units in your bathroom, always check to ensure they are not clogged with debris or mould.
● Always leave the bathroom door open to allow moisture to escape after showering
● Fix leaks in your bathroom. Tiny leaks contribute to moisture levels, which triggers mould and mildew.
● Only keep plants in the bathroom for a short period. Put the plants back when excess humidity is removed.
● Take short cooler showers in spring or summer to reduce bathroom humidity
Conclusion
We hope this article answers all your questions on what type of bathroom dehumidifier to buy and how to install it. Fortunately, most modern dehumidifiers like the Morris Silent Bathroom Dehumidifiers are portable and can be moved to your kitchen or bedroom for effective humidity control. They come with smart features that automatically detect a rise in humidity and regulate it accordingly. Moreover, a portable dehumidifier is ideal for all bathroom spaces because it can improve indoor air quality from any corner you choose.