Dehumidifiers are used and loved by many for their unparalleled ability to zap moisture from the air and reduce humidity levels. But, did you know that isn't their only talent?
In fact, when exploring what does a dehumidifier do, there are many uses for all kinds of household woes – from speeding up paint drying to preventing rust and even pests.
Here, our cleaning, paint, and pest experts share their top tips for getting the most out of the best dehumidifiers, which go above and beyond simply reducing your home's humidity.
5 surprising uses for your dehumidifier
1. Stop wallpaper peeling
With so many different wallpaper ideas and wallpaper trends to choose from, getting your home looking fabulous on a budget is easier than ever, particularly if you know how to wallpaper yourself. But, more often than not, no sooner has your wall been transformed, you might start to notice some pesky peeling.
Rhonda Wilson, quality lead cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning explains, 'When there’s too much moisture in the air, it seeps into the wallpaper and weakens the glue, making it lose its grip.'
So, to avoid curling edges and bubbles forming underneath, Rhonda recommends setting up a Dehumidifier, available at Walmart. 'Give it a few days, and you'll notice the difference,' she assures.
All prices correct at time of publication.
This portable and compact dehumidifier is perfect if you're on a budget, and is ideal for small spaces, with an auto shut-off function to prevent leakage and save energy.
With a smoothing squeegee to avoid creases and bubbles, a multi-purpose scraper, durable seam roller and more, this kit contains everything you need to properly apply wallpaper like a pro.
This smoothing tool enables professional results, successfully eliminating bubbles from hard-to-reach corners with an ergonomic, comfortable grip.
2. Drying clothing indoors
We're all aware of the benefits of air-drying laundry, but sometimes the weather doesn't permit hanging clothes and linens outdoors.
As Bryan Griffin, founder at Patriot Maids Cleaning Services, says, 'Drying racks are great, but clothes can end up smelling musty if the air’s too damp.'
If you're in a bid to make laundry smell better, Bryan suggests positioning a dehumidifier in the room where you're drying it, highlighting that the best place to put a dehumidifier is 'not too close to the clothes.' This works to dry clothes quickly, banishing any must odors making clothes smell sour after washing.
This drying rack might come at a slightly higher price point, but this Joseph Joseph Eclipse indoor clothes airer is perfect for tiny spaces, with an ingenious ecru screen to conceal laundry while it dries.
This high-quality clothes drying rack can be used both inside and outside, with a sturdy yet lightweight frame and an easy-to-use design.
These slim yet sturdy hangers have a space-saving design to save wardrobe space, with a non-slip velvet surface to keep hanging clothes in place.
3. Preventing rust on tools and appliances
The places you're most likely to spot signs of high home humidity are garages, basements, and even kitchens, where steam from cooking hangs around.
'You can wipe the rust off, but it's just going to come back if you don't fix the root of the problem,' warns cleaning expert Rhonda. 'Set up a dehumidifier in your tool shed, garage, or anywhere you store metal stuff, and it'll help keep the air dry.' This is also useful to keep moisture out of a pantry and protect expensive appliances.
'If you really want to go the extra mile, lightly coat tools with oil, every now and then for extra protection,' she adds.
For this, we recommend the 3-IN-ONE Multi-Purpose Oil available at Amazon, which lubricates, penetrates rust, and cleans all at the same time.
4. Speeding up paint drying
As the old saying goes, watching paint dry is truly dull. So, why not use a dehumidifier to speed up the process, and make paint dry faster?
Carr Lanphier, CEO at Improovy, advises, 'I definitely recommend dehumidifiers for helping to speed up the paint drying process, especially if you live in a particularly humid area or during damp parts of the year. I've spotted them used a lot especially during winter in humid areas, or in damp-prone spots like basements,' particularly when it's too cold to open windows.
That being said, opening windows in winter does reduce condensation, so even opening them briefly is an effective way to ventilate your home in winter without increasing energy bills.
'If paint is allowed to stay wet on a surface for too long, not only can it start to slow down your progress, it can also affect how well your paint is adhering to the surface,' Carr continues, leaving you questioning why your wall paint is bubbling. 'A dehumidifier will help suck up any excess moisture causing problems with your paint adhesion, and can result in a much better result.'
With a 26 oz water tank, this small but mighty dehumidifier is both lightweight and portable, ideal for carrying around your house when painting walls in different rooms.
Making painting walls a breeze with this all-in-one kit that includes an adjustable extension pole for reaching up high and down low.
For crisp lines, this painters tape can be used both indoors and outdoors, applying in one continuous strip with a sharp blade for a straight cut.
5. Preventing pests
Finally, Kyle Sebach, director of operations at All U Need Pest Control and board-certified entomologist recommends using a dehumidifier to help deal with the most common indoor pests.
'For DIY pest control, dehumidifiers are a great tool for getting rid of conducive conditions in your home,' he explains. 'For instance, plaster bagworms and silverfish are very common pests in closets, bathrooms, and other areas that are attracted to high humidity. These pests are known to cause damage to wall finishes and clothing'
So, to get rid of silverfish and other pests, Kyle suggests using a dehumidifier to 'pull the moisture they need to survive out of the air in a closet or bathroom,' effective as soon as you spot signs of a silverfish infestation.
These activated charcoal odor absorbers work to absorb moisture and purify the air, and can simply be recharged in the sun to release moisture particles before reusing again and again for up to two years.
Meet our experts
FAQs
What can you do with an old dehumidifier?
Once you've spotted warning signs it's time to replace your old appliance, it's best to recycle it, or use a local junk removal service who can safely dispose of it and reuse any parts. If you're in the market for a new one, our dedicated guide to the best dehumidifiers is the perfect place to start.
Where should you not use a dehumidifier?
When exploring, does a dehumidifier work with windows open, the answer, put simply, is no. Doing so will likely damage your appliance and may even break it. Instead, switch your appliance off before opening any windows.
However you use your dehumidifier, there are still plenty of dehumidifier mistakes best avoided. From facing it the wrong way to forgetting to clean the filter, swerve these errors to ensure a smooth-running appliance.
