How to get rid of mold with a dehumidifier

Eliminating mold is not just an aesthetic matter. Defeating mold is essential for the health of those who live in a certain environment, as the spores of this fungus can cause respiratory problems such as asthma, allergies, headaches, and even, in more serious cases, even chronic pneumonia.

The formation of mold is usually linked to excessive humidity in the environment. The first rule to ensure that mold does not expand further and that it does not recreate after eliminating it is dehumidifying the air. So let’s see how to eliminate mold with a dehumidifier.

Check the humidity level.

To effectively eliminate mold, it is recommended to keep a humidity level in the house between 35 and 55%. Many dehumidifiers have a humidity meter, also called a ” hygrometer, ” which can help with this task. Moisture meters can also be purchased separately at hardware stores and can easily be connected to dehumidifiers.

Place the dehumidifier near the most affected area.

A dehumidifier can dry out a room by absorbing the humid air inside it, capturing it as a liquid. If a room has an active mold, the humidity level should be lower. The more moisture is eliminated, the less the mold can produce nutrient spores, making it dormant.

Then, place the dehumidifier near the area most affected and select a high-power setting. It is necessary to keep the appliance running until the chamber dries completely.

Be careful that the mold does not re-form

A dehumidifier can inactivate mold by air drying, but it cannot completely remove it. As moisture disappears, mold remains on surfaces in an inactive state. In other words, mold will lack the necessary conditions to emit toxins, but it can still ” wake up ” at a later time. Dry mold can appear in the form of sand or soil.

Install a humidity sensor

While a dehumidifier cannot completely remove mold independently, it can still prevent new spores from forming. On humid days, the dehumidifier needs to run for an extended time to keep humidity low. The risk of mold growth increases significantly when the humidity level exceeds 60%.

The actual humidity level can be precisely measured by installing a humidity sensor on the dehumidifier. When the humidity level exceeds 60%, please turn on the dehumidifier to lower it.