Having dampness or mold in any area of the house is undesirable, but it is particularly worrying in the bedroom.
Bedrooms are especially prone to dampness due to poor ventilation and soft furnishings that trap moisture. If left untreated, damp can lead to mold, triggering allergies, respiratory issues, sleep problems, and unpleasant odors.
Fortunately, mold remediation experts have shared six effective ways to get rid of mold and target bedroom moisture, ensuring your bedroom remains fresh, healthy, and comfortable.
5 ways to prevent damp and mold in your bedroom
1. Improve bedroom ventilation
According to Michael Rubino, a toxic mold expert and founder of HomeCleanse, one of the most common reasons for mold in the bedroom is poor airflow, which allows moisture to build up.
Without proper air circulation, humidity from daily activities such as showering, or drying clothes in your bedroom can become trapped, leading to condensation on your ceilings, walls, and windows.
To improve ventilation and reduce humidity, Michael suggests, ‘Open windows regularly, even during winter, to allow fresh air to circulate and moisture to escape. Consider installing trickle vents on windows or investing in an extractor fan, especially if your bedroom has an en-suite bathroom.’
If natural ventilation is limited, using a dehumidifier to reduce excess humidity and keep moisture levels under control may also help. Sleeping with a bedroom door open can also help reduce moisture throughout the night, getting rid of musty smells in a bedroom.
For a cheap way to stop mold, you can also consider shock ventilation. This method involves opening windows on opposite sides of the house to create a current, blowing out stagnant air and moisture to decrease the risk of damp.
Designed with a built in shut-off feature, this dehumidifier is perfect for bedrooms. A built in hydrometer turns the dehumidifier off when your desired indoor humidity is reached to avoid drying out your room too much and irritating your airways as you sleep.
2. Air out fabrics
Bedrooms are full of soft furnishings, from our best duvet inserts and comforters to our bedroom curtain ideas, there is a lot of space for moisture, released when we breathe or sweat in the night, to be trapped.
Chiana Dickson, Solved content editor at Homes & Gardens says, 'It is important to air out your bedding every morning when you first get up. Pulling the duvet back and letting the mattress breathe allows any trapped moisture to escape, reducing musty odors and removing key conditions for bacteria to grow. It is the best excuse I have ever heard for not making a bed!
'Washing bed sheets every one to two weeks is also important to maintain good sleep hygiene and prevent mold,' she adds.
It can also be a good idea to avoid overcrowding your bedroom with heavy fabrics and thick curtains that absorb moisture such as velvet or fleece. Instead, opt for breathable bedding and materials such as cotton or linen.
Rated 4.8 out of 5 by customers, this lightweight linen material is both airy and durable, helping you to regulate your temperature as you sleep.
This cotton sateen sheet set has sat atop our 'best bed sheets' piece since our buying guide began. Generations of Homes & Gardens Sleep Editors (and thousands of Brooklinen customers) appreciate the silky smooth finish of these warming sheets, plus the wide range of colors, prints, and patterns.
With Piglet in Bed, you can build your own bedding bundle, picking the exact amount of pillowcases and types of sheets and covers you need. made from 100% breathable linen, these sets come prewashed for extra softness.
3. Keep furniture away from walls
Michael continues, ‘Placing bedroom furniture such as standalone closets, headboards, and bookshelves against walls can restrict airflow, which can lead to condensation and mold growth behind. The lack of ventilation in these hidden areas allows moisture to become trapped, creating the perfect environment for mold to thrive.’
Ensure a small gap of at least a few inches between the furniture and the wall to allow air to circulate freely. If your bedroom has particularly cold walls, consider applying anti-mold paint from Amazon to reduce the risk of condensation. Using moisture absorbers in wardrobes and drawers can also help prevent damp-related odors and mildew.
If you notice dark patches on walls behind furniture, a musty smell, or peeling paint, dampness may already be an issue, and you should immediately take action to prevent further damage.
If you have fitted wardrobes, make sure that the doors are left open from time to time so that the wall at the back does not get too cold, you want to ensure that air is circulating efficiently. Adding small vents from Madelyn Carter to your wardrobe doors could make the world of difference as it allows air to move more freely.
Rated 4.4 out of 5 by customers, the Arm & Hammer Disposable Moisture Absorber and Odor Eliminator attracts and traps excess moisture, eliminating musty odors and dampness in the room and will last on average for 60 Days.
4. Clean up condensation
Windows are a common damp spot in bedrooms, as condensation can quickly form on cold glass surfaces, leading to water pooling and mold developing around frames, on curtains, and even adjacent walls.
Tom Flood, CEO & founder of We Get The Mold Out says, ‘The combination of indoor humidity and external cold temperatures in bedrooms creates an ideal environment for moisture issues. If left unaddressed, this can lead to the deterioration of your window seals further exacerbating the problem.’
Use moisture-absorbing products like silica gel packs or anti-condensation window film from Walmart on your bedroom windows to reduce water buildup. Regularly wiping down the bedroom windows and keeping curtains open during the day can also prevent moisture from lingering.
You can use a window vac every morning to beat condensation, sucking up water before it can settle on sills and frames. This starter kit comes with one window vacuum, a spray bottle for the included Karcher window cleaner solution, and a washable microfiber pad to buff away streaks.
An absorbent microfiber cloth is another good option for removing moisture in the mornings. Mop water form panes, sills, and seals before ventilating the bedroom to reduce the risk of mold. Allow the cloth to dry fully before using again or washing.
This waterproof sealant can quickly seal up gaps around windows to reduce drafts, keeping your home warm and reducing the risk of condensation.
5. Maintain a consistent bedroom temperature
Tom continues, ‘Temperature fluctuations in the bedroom can contribute to condensation and dampness, especially when warm air meets cold surfaces such as walls, windows, or furniture. Inconsistent heating can cause moisture to accumulate overnight, leading to mold growth and dampness in the coldest areas of the room.'
Maintain the best temperature for sleep by using a low-level heat source, such as a radiator or an electric heater with a timer, or by setting a heating schedule to maintain a steady temperature to curb damp, mold, and condensation.
Using insulated blinds or thermal curtains can make heating more efficient, helping regulate temperature and eliminate hot and cold spots in your home. The DWCN Thermal Curtains from Walmart come in 10 different sizes to suit any window, with 10 color options to seamlessly blend into any scheme.
Regularly servicing your HVAC system will further reduce the risk of condensation and the buildup of mold.
The Sun Zero thermal blinds are rated 4.7 out of 5 by customers and made from polyester, designed to reduce outside noise and decrease energy lost through your windows by up to 45%.
6. Check for external leaks and damage
If you are still noticing dampness in the bedroom after trying the above suggestions, the dampness may not be due to internal moisture but rather external leaks from damaged roofing, guttering, or faulty plumbing.
These external issues allow water to seep into walls and ceilings, creating moisture problems. If your bedroom has an exterior wall or is positioned directly under the roof, structural vulnerabilities can be a common cause of continuous damp problems.
If you suspect a structural issue, consult a professional to assess and repair any damage before it worsens. Cleaning gutters and ensuring downpipes direct rainwater away from your home can also prevent moisture from seeping into your bedroom walls.
Meet the experts
FAQs
Does a bowl of salt help with condensation?
Using a cheap salt trick to get rid of condensation can help reduce moisture in a bedroom in a pinch. Salt draws in moisture, so placing a bowl of it on your windowsill as you sleep can help prevent droplets from forming on glass panes, reducing the risk of mold on seals and surrounding windows.
These quick things people with clean bedrooms always do quickly help to mitigate mold for a superior sleep environment. Even with these precautions, however, it is a good idea to know how to check for mold in your house so you can spot signs early.
