How To Reduce Humidity at Home? Try These 6 Easy Ways

Applicable to both hot and humid spells as well as monsoon season!

In Singapore, humidity is a year-round issue. Not just during hot spells, but also during monsoon season, when lower temperatures and heavy moisture content in the air prevent water from evaporating as quickly.

And while humidity is good for your skin, too much moisture in the air can cause the following problems:

• Clammy air or an unpleasant, musty odour
• Mould, mildew and dust mite growth that can cause respiratory problems
• Insects (e.g. spiders, drain flies and silverfish)
• Wet clothes taking a long time to dry
• Rotting wood, causing your floor and furniture to deteriorate
• Damaged drywall and exacerbate cracks, which is costly to repair over time
• Moisture build-up in the crevices of electronics, leading to damage
• Wear and tear or discolouration of collectibles (e.g. books, leather bags etc.)

If you experience any of these problems at home, your home could be too humid! Here are a few things you can do to minimise it and create a more comfortable indoor environment.

1. Invest in dehumidifying tools

Moisture can build up in the most unexpected spaces, like in the crevices of your TV and carpets. And that can become even more prevalent during monsoon season, when humidity levels are especially high!

Ideally, the ideal indoor humidity level should be between 40% to 50%. For a small area like a cabinet or wardrobe, you can use a disposable dehumidifier or charcoal sachets and place them in your wardrobe to prevent your clothes from getting mould and mildew.

If you need to cover a large area, getting a dehumidifier machine is a no-brainer. Be sure to check the size of your unit and water tank capacity before investing in one.

2. Ventilate your home

One of the most effective ways to combat high humidity levels in your home is to make sure your home is well-ventilated.

The ideal layout for a well-ventilated home is one that possesses windows and doors on opposite sides of the unit, which allows cross-ventilation to take place.

But of course, not every home has this, so to keep the space airy, simply open the windows (if it’s not raining, of course) and/or doors to allow air from the outside to enter, replacing the trapped air inside.

3. Tweak your air-conditioning settings

Turning on your air conditioning not only cools down the room but also helps to reduce indoor humidity by replacing warm, humid air with cool dry air.

Simply change your A/C setting to Dry Mode (which is available in most air-conditioning units) and frequently wash/change your A/C filters to keep it in optimal working condition.

4. Install ceiling and exhaust fans in your home

It goes without saying that fans are great for reducing your indoor moisture levels. The breeze from the ceiling fan distributes excess moisture (thus helping it evaporate more easily) and also improves air circulation.

Cooking, cleaning and bathing are the biggest culprits in causing indoor humidity levels to rise, and that’s because the heat and steam from boiling water or hot showers contribute extra moisture into the air.

Consider installing exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom. They help to remove odours from cooking and cleaning, both of which can affect your home’s indoor air quality.

5. Make some lifestyle changes

Moisture buildup tends to happen most in the bathrooms, which in turn causes humidity levels to rise. To counter this, consider lowering the temperature of your showers by just a few degrees so there’s less steam generated in the air.

If you have a shower cubicle, use a squeegee to wipe off excess water from your glass doors, walls and tiles. Remember to direct the excess water towards your bathroom floor trap and ensure that the water is properly drained.

6. Grow some indoor plants

Plant parents rejoice! Introducing certain types of houseplants into your space not only helps to reduce moisture levels, they also make your home look great.

Plants such as Boston ferns, Aloe Vera, and Ficus trees absorb excess moisture in the air, on top of improving your indoor air quality.

We're on Instagram, Telegram and TikTok! Follow us there to keep up with the latest design trends 🙌

Uncover a curated collection of home products. Discover brands and get exclusive deals on furniture, appliances and home products to deck out your space with. Go to Brands

This article was first published on 18 March 2021 and last updated on 5 December 2023.