Having excess moisture in your home can lead to a myriad of problems such as mold growth, musty odors, and damage to walls or furnishings. Investing in a dehumidifier is often the best solution, but these appliances can be quite expensive. Luckily, there are several DIY options for creating your own dehumidifier at home using common household items. These homemade solutions are an inexpensive way to remove moisture from the air and make your living spaces more comfortable.
Using Silica Gel Packets
One of the simplest DIY dehumidifier options is to use silica gel packets. Silica gel is a desiccant, meaning it absorbs and holds moisture. Many products are shipped with little packets of silica gel inside to keep them dry during transport and storage.
To use silica gel packets as a dehumidifier:
- Collect and dry out used silica gel packs – lay them out flat on a baking sheet and heat at 200°F for 2 hours to remove any absorbed moisture.
- Place the revived silica gel packets in bowls or jars. Distribute them around damp areas of your home.
- As the packets absorb moisture from the air they will change color, indicating they need to be dried out again.
- Repeat the process of periodically drying and reusing silica gel packets to continually absorb moisture.
The advantages of this method are that the packets are free if you reuse ones from packaging, and it allows for spot treatment of problem moisture areas. The downside is that the moisture absorption capacity is relatively low compared to other DIY options. You may need a lot of packets to make an impact.
Hanging Wet Laundry to Dry
Believe it or not, hanging laundry inside your home can help remove moisture from the air! As the water evaporates out of the wet clothes and linens, it draws humidity out of the surrounding air.
To use this traditional dehumidifier method:
- Wash clothes, sheets, towels etc as normal.
- Hang the sopping wet items indoors on a drying rack or clothesline.
- Position near moisture prone areas like windows and exterior walls.
- Make sure to leave windows cracked open for ventilation.
- Rotate items to expose fresh dry surfaces to the air.
- Once fully dry, the laundry will have extracted quite a bit of water from the indoor air.
Though it takes some time, this technique passively dehumidifies as a byproduct of drying laundry. It costs nothing beyond the energy and water to wash the clothes.
Salt-Filled Containers
Table salt is hygroscopic, meaning it attracts and absorbs moisture right out of the air. Placing salt in containers around your home creates an easy DIY dehumidifier system.
To use this approach:
- Pour ordinary table salt into heat-safe bowls, jars, or other containers.
- Distribute the open containers around damp areas of the house.
- The salt will begin absorbing surrounding moisture immediately.
- When the salt has gotten completely damp and changed texture, bake it in the oven at 250°F to dry it out again for reuse.
- Refill the containers with the revived salt to continue the process.
Salt is very affordable and widely available. With some periodic drying, a single batch of salt can be reused indefinitely. The downside is that moisture absorption happens slowly over a small area. Several containers may be needed to adequately dehumidify a whole home.
Absorbent Crystals
Another way to make your own dehumidifier is with moisture-absorbing crystals. These water-absorbent beads are available at craft stores and garden centers, marketed as floral decorations or soil amendments.
To harness their moisture removal power:
- Obtain hydrogel beads, water crystals, floral foam, or similar polymer crystals.
- Place the beads into porous cloth bags or containers with drainage holes. Nylon stockings or mesh produce bags work well.
- Position the filled bags around damp areas and spaces.
- The polymer crystals will begin soaking up moisture from the surroundings immediately.
- When completely saturated, the beads can be microwaved to release absorbed water and refresh their ability to extract humidity.
The crystals provide stronger moisture absorption than many other DIY options, while still being reusable. The downside is they must be safely contained and can present a choking hazard if ingested.
Rice or Wheat Bags
Using rice or wheat as a natural dehumidifier is a variation on the salt method. The starchy grains act as desiccants to absorb moisture from humid air.
To apply this approach:
- Fill permeable cloth bags with dry rice or wheat grains. Cotton, burlap, or mesh bags work best.
- Tie or sew the bags shut and place in damp parts of the home.
- The rice/wheat will begin soaking up ambient moisture through the fabric.
- To revive the grains’ absorption power, occasionally bake the bags at 200°F until dry and crispy.
- Let cool, then return the refreshed bags to humid areas.
These bags provide odorless moisture removal with cheap and readily available materials. Their discreet appearance makes them ideal for tossing into closets, basements, and other spaces. However, they have lower capacity than many commercial dehumidifiers. Using many bags or large volumes of grain may be needed to adequately control humidity.
Solar Dehydrator
Harnessing the power of the sun, a DIY solar dehydrator can passively absorb moisture from the air. To create one:
- Obtain a shallow dark-colored bin or tray with a lid. Dark materials absorb heat well.
- Cover the bottom with a layer of moisture-wicking material like sand, salt, gravel, or shredded paper.
- Place the open container in direct sunlight, preferably on a south-facing slope if possible.
- As the sun heats the container, the inner material will draw in humidity from the ambient air.
- In the evenings or on cloudy days, place a lid on the container to hold the moisture that was absorbed during sun exposure.
- When the inner material is completely saturated, spread it out to dry in the sun or oven before reusing in the dehydrator.
This passive system requires no electricity to run. However, humidity absorption is slow and limited to daytime hours. Several units may be required to achieve adequate moisture removal, and the system doesn’t work at all on dark overcast days.
Conclusion
Controlling indoor moisture doesn’t have to mean buying an expensive dehumidifier. With a bit of effort and minimal investment, you can make your own functional solutions using silica gel, drying laundry, salt, absorbent crystals, grains, or even solar power. Just keep in mind that most DIY options pale in comparison to commercial dehumidifiers in power and capacity. You may need to use multiple homemade systems to adequately reduce humidity. But for damp basements, closets and small spaces, these simple fixes can make a real difference. With some trial and error, you can discover the ideal dehumidification method to create the perfect moisture balance in your unique living environment.
Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Dehumidifiers
What household items can I use to make my own dehumidifier?
Some common household items that can absorb moisture and act as DIY dehumidifiers include:
- Silica gel packets
- Salt
- Rice
- Damp drying laundry
- Absorbent crystals/beads
- Activated charcoal
- Calcium chloride
How effective are DIY dehumidifiers compared to commercial models?
Most DIY dehumidifiers will not be as powerful or effective as an actual dehumidifier appliance designed for moisture removal. However, they can be useful for small spaces, closets, basements, and spot treating problem areas. Multiple DIY units may be needed to match a standard dehumidifier.
Where are the best places to position DIY dehumidifiers at home?
Focus on damp areas like basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and near exterior walls or windows where condensation forms. Close proximity to the moisture source allows DIY units to be most effective.
How can I make a solar dehumidifier at home?
A simple solar dehumidifier can be made using a dark container filled with a moisture-wicking material and placed in direct sunlight. The sun heats the interior to draw in and absorb humidity. A lid on the container at night holds the moisture that was absorbed during the day.
What are the signs that my DIY dehumidifier needs to be refreshed?
Check DIY dehumidifiers frequently for signs they are full and need moisture removed. Salt, rice, and crystals will change texture or appearance. Silica gel and charcoal may need refreshing once they lose their odor-absorbing power.
How long do homemade dehumidifiers last?
DIY dehumidifiers can often be reused indefinitely if the moisture absorption material is dried out periodically to remove the absorbed water. With proper maintenance, the DIY materials like salt and silica gel can last for years.
Can I use homemade dehumidifiers in basements prone to flooding?
For significant moisture issues like flooding, DIY solutions may not be sufficient. It’s best to invest in a commercial-grade dehumidifier rated for basements and water damage situations. Homemade options are better suited as preventatives for small dampness issues.
Final Thoughts on Dehumidifying Your Home Yourself
Controlling humidity in your living space with DIY solutions is rewarding, empowering, and an excellent way to save money. Creatively utilizing materials already on hand gives new purpose to common household items. Harnessing natural desiccants like silica and salt or renewable sources like solar allows for ongoing, sustainable moisture removal with some periodic maintenance. Practice patience when testing different methods – it takes trial and error to find your ideal homemade dehumidifier setup. Refer to this guide anytime your existing approach needs a refresh. With clever thinking and the willingness to experiment, you can discover the perfect DIY dehumidification strategy tailored to your unique needs and home.