There's no single solution that works for every humidity problem. The best approach depends on how severe your humidity issue is, what's causing it, your budget, and your living situation. This guide compares the main methods for controlling indoor humidity so you can choose what fits your needs.
Ventilation
Ventilation is the most fundamental approach to humidity control. Moving air allows moisture to escape rather than accumulating indoors.
Natural Ventilation
Opening windows and doors creates airflow that carries humid air outside. Cross-ventilation, achieved by opening windows on opposite sides of your space, is most effective. This method is free and works well when outdoor humidity is lower than indoor humidity.
Best for: Mild humidity issues, times when outdoor air is drier than indoor air, spaces with windows on multiple walls.
Limitations: Doesn't work when outdoor humidity is high, not practical during extreme weather, may not be possible due to noise, pollution, or security concerns.
Exhaust Fans
Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans actively remove humid air from the rooms where moisture is generated. Running these fans during and after moisture-producing activities prevents humidity from spreading through your home.
Best for: Targeting specific high-moisture activities like showering and cooking.
Limitations: Only works if fans actually vent outside (some just recirculate air), may be noisy, only addresses specific rooms.
Portable Fans
Box fans, oscillating fans, and similar devices improve air circulation even when windows aren't open. While fans don't remove humidity directly, they help distribute air and can direct moist air toward exhaust vents or open windows.
Best for: Improving air movement in stagnant areas, supplementing other methods.
Limitations: Doesn't remove moisture, just moves it around.
Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers are appliances that actively extract moisture from the air, collecting it in a reservoir or draining it away continuously.
Compressor Dehumidifiers
These work like air conditioners, cooling air to condense moisture out of it. They're effective in warm conditions and can remove significant amounts of water from the air.
Best for: Persistent high humidity, warm and humid climates, larger spaces.
Limitations: Use significant electricity, less effective in cool temperatures, can be noisy, require regular emptying or drain setup.
Desiccant Dehumidifiers
These use moisture-absorbing materials to capture humidity without cooling the air. They work better at lower temperatures than compressor models.
Best for: Cooler environments, quieter operation needed, unheated spaces.
Limitations: Generally more expensive to operate, may heat the room slightly.
Mini Dehumidifiers
Small, portable units designed for single rooms or small areas. They use less energy but also remove less moisture.
Best for: Small rooms, closets, mild humidity problems, renters who can't install permanent solutions.
Limitations: Limited capacity, won't handle severe humidity or large spaces.
Moisture Absorbers
Passive products that absorb moisture from the air without electricity.
Calcium Chloride Products
Commercial moisture absorbers typically contain calcium chloride crystals that absorb water from the air. The absorbed water drips into a container below. These are disposable and need regular replacement.
Best for: Closets, small enclosed spaces, mild humidity problems, travel.
Limitations: Very limited capacity, need frequent replacement, not effective for whole-room humidity.
Rechargeable Desiccant Packs
Reusable containers with silica gel or similar materials that absorb moisture, then can be dried out in an oven or microwave to reuse.
Best for: Small spaces, drawers, storage containers, protecting valuables.
Limitations: Very small capacity, frequent recharging needed, not a whole-room solution.
Keep in mind: Moisture absorbers are supplementary tools for specific small areas, not primary humidity control for living spaces.
Air Conditioning
Air conditioners remove moisture from air as a byproduct of cooling. When warm, humid air passes over the cold evaporator coils, water condenses and drains away.
Best for: Hot, humid climates where cooling is also desired.
Limitations: Expensive to run, cools the air (not always wanted), may not be effective in cool weather, not all AC units dehumidify well.
Behavioral Changes
Adjusting daily habits can significantly reduce indoor humidity without any equipment.
- Cover pots when cooking to reduce steam
- Take shorter, cooler showers to minimize bathroom humidity
- Dry clothes outdoors or in a vented dryer rather than indoors
- Run exhaust fans during and after moisture-producing activities
- Open windows strategically when outdoor air is drier
- Reduce indoor plants if you have many
Best for: Everyone—behavioral changes complement any other method and cost nothing.
Comparing Methods
Here's how the main approaches compare across key factors:
Cost to implement:
Behavioral changes (free) → Ventilation (free to low) → Moisture absorbers (low) → Fans (low to moderate) → Dehumidifiers (moderate to high) → AC (high)
Ongoing cost:
Behavioral changes (none) → Natural ventilation (none) → Moisture absorbers (low but recurring) → Fans (low electricity) → Dehumidifiers (moderate electricity) → AC (high electricity)
Effectiveness for severe humidity:
Dehumidifiers and AC are most effective. Ventilation and behavioral changes help but may not be enough alone. Moisture absorbers are too limited for serious problems.
Ease for renters:
All methods work for renters except permanent installations. Portable dehumidifiers, fans, moisture absorbers, and behavioral changes require no modifications.
A Practical Approach
Start with the simplest and cheapest methods first:
- Adjust your habits to reduce moisture sources
- Improve ventilation by using exhaust fans and opening windows when practical
- Add moisture absorbers in problem spots like closets
- Consider a dehumidifier if basic methods aren't enough
For most apartments, a combination of better ventilation habits and targeted moisture absorbers handles mild to moderate humidity. If problems persist, a portable dehumidifier is the next step. Save AC-based dehumidification for situations where you need cooling anyway.