How often you should use a dehumidifier will depend on your home, climate and other factors. To achieve the highest energy efficiency, run a dehumidifier for at least 12 hours a day. This will allow you to remove moisture from the air without racking up the energy costs.
Yes, it is perfectly safe to use a dehumidifier in a bathroom however please be careful not to get a lot of water on or in the machine as this can damage the dehumidifier.
As long as the dehumidifier you choose is large enough for the area it is working in, and there are no specific damp problems, then a dehumidifier will normally reduce the humidity to the chosen level within a few days to a week.
Putting it in the wrong place
'We don't advise using a dehumidifier in the bathroom because it isn't IP rated,' says Meaco's Chris. 'But positioning a dehumidifier as close to the bathroom as possible with the door open still can help to reduce moisture quickly.
Decrease humidity with good air circulation.
Opening a window can help reduce moisture but may not be enough to circulate the air. Exhaust fans can also be helpful, but dehumidifiers and portable air conditioners can be the best ways to stop mold growth in your bathroom.
Control and Removal
The first is to clean up growing mold with bleach, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide. These cleaners effectively kill mold. A spray bottle is an effective way to treat larger areas; you can use a small brush or cloth to apply it to smaller spots like corners and angles.
Natural Mold Cleaner
Use undiluted white vinegar on hard surfaces in kitchens and baths. A bleach solution also works to kill mold. Mix one cup of bleach in a gallon of water, apply to the surface and don't rinse. Mix a 50/50 solution of ammonia and water.
500 square feet or less: a small dehumidifier with a 12-pint capacity. Over 500 square feet: add 5 pints of capacity for every additional 500 square feet.
Dehumidifier Placement Guide
To ensure the humidity in the balanced, position it at least 12 inches from walls and other objects so air can circulate freely. Avoid placing the unit near window panes or any drafty area to prevent cold air from entering and affecting its performance.
Over-dehumidifying your home can lead to an increased chance of respiratory illnesses and dry and cracked skin.
Dehumidifiers work by removing moisture from the air. This can help to reduce condensation on walls and prevent mould and mildew growth. However, dehumidifiers will not necessarily dry out damp walls. If your walls are damp, you may need to use a combination of a dehumidifier and a fan to help dry them out.
When a dehumidifier fills up quickly, you may have excess humidity in your home or an issue with the dehumidifier itself. Conversely, a consistently empty dehumidifier is also a sign of system malfunction. If either of these issues persists, repair services or other humidity control options may be needed.
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.
Helpful Tip. If there's a lot of humidity in your project space, you can use a dehumidifier for drying paint. Air-conditioners also act as dehumidifiers. Both individual units and central HVAC systems are a tremendous help in speeding up the drying of paint on humid days.
Bathroom air humidity
Suitable humidity in the bathroom should be around 30% to 60%. You will know that ventilation in your bathroom is insufficient if moisture condenses on bathroom surfaces for several minutes.
Once temperatures drop to around 65 degrees, it's best to turn the dehumidifier off. Doing so will help prevent moisture from freezing on the dehumidifier's coils, which could damage your unit.
A dehumidifier should collect around 10-20 pints a day. However, factors such as relative humidity levels, size of the appliance, location, and temperature can affect how much it collects.
Conclusion. Although dehumidifiers don't necessarily use a lot of electricity and, in fact, are energy efficient (even more so if they have the ENERGY STAR certification), they will typically need to run for at least 12 hours a day but preferably 24.
A dehumidifier makes the external conditions less welcoming to mold; by removing moisture, they reduce the chances of mold growth. An air purifier, however, removes mold spores from the air, making it harder for mold and mildew to create new colonies. HEPA filters are one of the most important tools for removing mold.
It should be positioned in proximity to a sump pump or drain and the hose should be placed outside of walkways to avoid a tripping hazard. Most dehumidifiers will remove between 30 and 70 pints of water per day.
Preventing Mold Growth with Vinegar
For warm, damp areas prone to mold, like the bathroom or laundry room, add vinegar to your cleaning routine to stop an infestation before it starts.
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.
While it is possible to use bleach to kill mold as well, experts agree that vinegar is a much better option. Unlike bleach, vinegar can effectively kill the mold at the root, which means it's less likely to return. Vinegar is also less toxic than bleach, making it a better choice for household use.