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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

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Original poster

Dehumidifier tips

23 replies

CameronK · 09/12/2022 21:40

Just got a new dehumidifier for the flat as the condensation has reached the mould stage on windows. I live in a rented flat and have done everything I can to reduce draught etc. but I can't seem to get the humidity below 60%. Does anybody have any tips on placement etc. we are in a rented flat which doesn't have double glazing but we have a notice to quit so that hardly matters any more. I just want to make the final months bearable and ensure mold and the issues moisture brings doesn't affect my family.

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NewBootsAndRanty · 09/12/2022 21:45

Are you leaving it on 24/7 to begin with?
I put mine in my flat hallway with all the internal doors open, i think it took a few days of running between that and 12h a day to get it down at first, it also worked better when the heating was on.

I'm only in the second week of owning it so I'm not claiming to be an expert...

Blondlashes · 09/12/2022 21:46

Make a weak solution of bleach and water - there are instructions online and clean the mould off with old cloths you can throw away.
Soak up the moisture in the mornings. A window squeezee and old towels if you have them. But the dehumidifier should help. It also helps to keep doors between rooms open and air the place 1-2 times a day. Not so tempting when it’s so cold I know 🙁

EdHelpPls · 09/12/2022 21:46

Is there damp coming in through the walls?!

60 is just about the upper end of "ideal" humidity as far as I know. Our laundry room is sitting at 54% ATM with drying laundry and dehumidifier running.

NewBootsAndRanty · 09/12/2022 21:48

Oh yeah, if you've got the dehumidifier going and open a window, keep the door to that room shut (and without the dehumidifier in it!).

ImAvingOops · 09/12/2022 21:52

I have 2 at least one of them is running 24/7. I put it in the hallway upstairs with all doors open and let it run. If I'm not using the 2nd for laundry, I put that one on downstairs overnight to get the condensation and make the air easier to heat.

Original poster

CameronK · 09/12/2022 21:55

The windows are old wooden frames that have been in the place since it was constructed. Also single glazed windows. I did tell the landlord that they let in major draughts as the wood has flaked away and rotted in some areas. After all this he has decided to sell the property so we have 3 months to get a property with our newborn. Got to love living in rented properties honestly!

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Original poster

CameronK · 09/12/2022 21:57

Would you guys recommend having curtains closed and blinds as well as vents when it's running?

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NewBootsAndRanty · 09/12/2022 21:58

Mine are similar, with the added benefit of being sash windows.
Best of luck with the dehumidifying!

ImAvingOops · 09/12/2022 21:59

I porn curtains to get all the condensation. Slatted blinds, I don't ever fully close anyway, but the velux ones I leave open as much as possible

ImAvingOops · 09/12/2022 22:00

Porn? Open that should say. My phone hates me!

Original poster

CameronK · 09/12/2022 22:08

got you I'll leave it on in the hall and keep curtains half open at least. That's me being impatient and expecting a quick fix! Had one before in my previous flat and it was excellent until it broke. When I looked at it again it was £30 more! Joys of inflation I guess

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AliceMcK · 09/12/2022 22:10

if running while out, put as central as best with doors open to all rooms except bathroom and kitchen as it will try sucking water from toilet etc.. make sure no drinks left out or any scented oil diffusers, flowers, basically anything with liquid in it.

if doing room by room, focus on the most important, babies and yours. Keep doors shut tightly and again, make sure no liquids anywhere.

never run it in a room with you in it especially if sleeping as they can suck moisture from your skin.

Personally I’d start on the main bedroom. Have it running all day and when you go to bed put in babies room overnight while you keep baby with you the first night.

i remember when I was younger I use to put thick cello tape around my windows to stop drafts, works a treat.

Grimchmas · 09/12/2022 22:26

Where do you dry your clothes? That's often a big source of moisture. And is there an extractor fan in the bathroom? Kitchen?

If only for 3 more months I really wouldn't worry about how to get the humidity down even more. By all means run the dehumidifier to help but the biggest difference you can make for that duration is to clean the places the mould grows with bleach. Perhaps also consider a HEPA filter so that mould spores don't circulate as freely.

Grimchmas · 09/12/2022 22:28

It's not so much about draught as it is moisture, by the way. Draughts help circulate air, which is a good thing for keeping on top of the moisture levels and mould spores. Opening the windows to air out rooms every day sounds counter intuitive but can be helpful.

Original poster

CameronK · 09/12/2022 22:37

The kitchen has an extractor fan and I open the bathroom window generally. Would you recommend segregate these rooms from the dehumidifier and allow them to air naturally with the windows and extractor fan?

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Grimchmas · 09/12/2022 22:39

Bathroom moisture from e.g. a daily shower is going to keep your dehumidifier busy all by itself, so I'd keep the door shut and window open in there, yes.

mumda · 09/12/2022 22:43

Grimchmas · 09/12/2022 22:39

Bathroom moisture from e.g. a daily shower is going to keep your dehumidifier busy all by itself, so I'd keep the door shut and window open in there, yes.

The window vacuum things are good for getting the water collected up from walls and bath surfaces.

Original poster

CameronK · 09/12/2022 22:46

I think I may get one if I'm honest as I have a squeegee but you have to be very meticulous with it as if you do it too fast the water drips down it onto the sill. The amount of kitchen roll I've gone through and rags in the past is unbelievable

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thewinterwitch · 09/12/2022 22:47

Clean the mould with white vinegar, not bleach. Bleach doesn't actually kill the spores. Dilute white vinegar about three parts water to one part vinegar.

Cynderella · 09/12/2022 23:44

I have had a dehumidifier fir years and had it on a timer plug in the hall every winter. It was on from 6pm -9pm every evening, but we still ended up with damp in the bathroom,. Now we have extractor fans in the cellar and bathroom, so I was thinking about getting rid of the dehumidifier.

Now I'm paying so much for energy, I have it in the dining room where I'm drying washing. I use it for a couple of hours at a time. It's an old one, so no display, but I have a couple of cheap thermometers that tell me humidity too. After drying washing for two days, RH is still under 50%. Rest of house it's in 50s.

At first, I was turning it on for a couple of hours a couple of times a day. Now, it's not really needed unless I have washing on the airer. Just a couple of hours a day on laundry days is enough.

Honeyroar · 14/12/2022 22:29

Are they fairly cheap to run?
what make is a good dehumidifier? I think we’ll have to get one.

NewBootsAndRanty · 15/12/2022 17:33

Mine came from www.airconcentre.co.uk/products/devola-20l-compressor-dehumidifier-with-hepa-filter-dv20l
Costs about 12p/hour on full whack, less on laundry mode etc

DEV10 might give you a discount.

Original poster

CameronK · 16/12/2022 00:51

Got mine out of Screwfix by pure chance when it came back into stock. Was hard to come by before I looked then. Just make sure you get a decent one, I brought one from currys before which is now £179.99 but it became faulty within 6 months so I would avoid the logik brand.

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