The humidity level inside your house may go up and down. When the humidity goes up, you need to take steps to dehumidify. A do-it-yourself dehumidifier can be utilized as it is relatively inexpensive and easy to use.
This DIY dehumidifier uses things like ice cubes, salt, and aluminum foil in your home. If it's done right, this can be just as effective as the ones that use electricity.
Here's more to the DIY dehumidifier and some homemade options.
A DIY Dehumidifier and Dealing With Indoor Humidity
Humidity levels can rise for a variety of reasons. It might be caused by the hot summer months or by cooking in the oven. You must act to fix this problem since it can lead to many issues, including mildew and mold growth.
If nothing works or your budget doesn't allow you to buy a commercial dehumidifier, you may want to use the do-it-yourself method. This is done by using ordinary objects around the house.
A DIY dehumidifier is a homemade device that can help you deal with humidity inside your home. You can make one by using simple materials around the house.
As mentioned earlier, the ingredients may include ice cubes, salt, and aluminum foil. You can also use other ingredients, like silica gel, copier paper, and even dry rice.
DIY Electric and Non-Electric Dehumidifier
There are different types of do-it-yourself dehumidifiers. You can opt for a DIY electric one or a homemade non-electric one.
DIY Electric Air Dehumidifier
The electrical one is made by using a fan, which you'll have to attach to the drain hose to direct water downwards. It works best when it's used together with ice cubes, a saltshaker, and a container.
This type needs to be plugged into a power source, so it can use electricity for you to work it.
An electric version will offer better results, but it isn't as easy to set up as its non-electric counterpart. It can also be adjusted depending on your preference to achieve your desired humidity levels.
DIY Non-Electric Dehumidifier
The non-electric option is done without any equipment that must be attached with a power cord or plug, this runs on batteries.
Instead of an electric fan, this DIY dehumidifier uses a bowl of ice, table salt, and aluminum foil. The ice is used to cool the air, trapping the humidity while the salt draws out moisture from the air. Then you can fold up the corners of the aluminum foil to direct all accumulated water downwards.
The non-electric version is best for poor areas or areas where there's a power outage often. It also doesn't emit electromagnetic fields, which are dangerous to people with pacemakers.
Does a DIY Dehumidifier Work?
A homemade device works just as well as an electric one. You can place it in the area you want to remove humidity from. DIY whole building dehumidifier will soak up excess moisture from rooms.
It is advisable to install a hygrometer in the room before installing the dehumidifier to determine the humidity around a site. Every method should be tried depending on where you are staying, comfort levels, and access to the materials.
They might even be employed as a blend of some of these strategies so that it becomes more profitable by utilizing naturally dehumidifying ingredients without affecting the environment by introducing additional energy costs.
The do-it-yourself version is eco-friendly since it doesn't require electricity, which saves on your energy bill.
It may be a hassle to carry out the do-it-yourself version, but it's worth trying if you want to save money.
How Effective Is a Homemade Dehumidifier?
You can expect the homemade version to work, especially if you have tried it.
However, since no precise calculations are involved in making DIY dehumidifier ideas, it may not be as effective as those sold in stores. They could even take up more time and effort to use compared to a store-bought item.
Homemade dehumidifiers can extract moisture from the air, but they can't dehumidify an entire room in a short amount of time. The whole process could take days, and you won't feel the difference immediately.
The DIY dehumidifier works best if it is placed in a closed room. It will prevent the humidity from escaping to other areas of your home.
If you're using this for a small area, then it's best to place it near air conditioners or heating vents since these are normally located in the central part of the house.
Difference Between Store-Bought and DIY Dehumidifiers
There are a lot of differences between the two.
- Approach
With a store-bought device, the kit and materials used for making it sometimes come with instructions on how to use it. You can also ask for help from staff at the store before you start using it.
On the other hand, the do-it-yourself version is more personal since you'll need to know what ingredients will work for it and how to install it. This depends on the place you'll use it so that results can vary from one person to another.
- Moisture Removal
One of the most significant differences is that store-bought dehumidifiers have been built to remove moisture from a room as quickly as possible, while homemade devices have been built without any commercial purposes in mind. So you can expect them to work differently from each other.
- Components
Another distinction is the components used to make a homemade one. Homemade versions use natural ingredients to be safe for your health and excellent for the environment. On the other hand, store-bought dehumidifiers are made with synthetic materials, which can cause allergies when inhaled or direct contact is made with the skin.
- Time and Effort
The DIY version also requires a lot of time and effort. As mentioned above, it can take days to fully extract humidity from an area with these devices compared to the hour needed by the electric version.
The DIY dehumidifier will use ice and salt to eliminate moisture in the air, which is safe and natural but takes quite some time.
Unlike the homemade version, the electric one works continuously and doesn't need replacement parts or batteries.
Related Article: What Does a Dehumidifier Do?
Benefits of Making a Homemade Dehumidifier
A DIY dehumidifier can help save you money, especially when buying powerful machines.
It is also good for the environment since it doesn't require electricity. It may even be safe around children and pets. You can do many things with the water in your dehumidifier after it has evaporated, like watering plants or washing your car.
You can also make the dehumidifier according to your needs, such as adjusting it depending on the place you want to have humidity-free air in.
On the other hand, if you want to dry out a room that has gotten waterlogged, then you can use this dehumidifier for longer periods as needed.
How To Make A Homemade Dehumidifier (5 Ways)
1. The Rock Salt Dehumidifier
It is commonly used in most DIY projects to absorb moisture so it can give off an unpleasant odor and prevent mold spores from growing. To make your rock salt dehumidifier, you need ice and salt.
The rock salt version is your best bet when making a homemade device less time-consuming because it only takes days before you can use it.
Steps:
Fill a bowl with about 2 cups of rock salt then add around 4 tbsp of water. Place the bowl in a flat plastic bag, then add ice cubes around the outside of the container.
You should be able to tell if your homemade dehumidifier is already working by hearing a sizzling sound, meaning water droplets have formed inside the plastic bag.
Once you see condensation, it's time to remove the ice and salt on top of the bowl. Wrap them in another plastic bag, then store them for future use.
2. The Baking Soda Dehumidifier
Another common household ingredient that can be used to eliminate humidity is baking soda. This ingredient does not have an unpleasant taste, unlike rock salt or salt crystals, so pets and children can enjoy it.
However, you need to ensure the place where you want to put your dehumidifier is kept dry so it won't melt. Baking soda will serve as moisture absorbers and dust mites repellant until it's completely gone, so this dehumidifier is not ideal for daily use.
Steps:
Mix baking soda with water in a spray bottle, then apply it to the areas where humidity is high, like on walls and carpets. Let it sit overnight, then vacuum the baking soda up the next day.
3. The Calcium Chloride Dehumidifier
If you want to make a quick homemade dehumidifier, then the calcium chloride version will surely meet your expectations. This device uses calcium chloride, an ice melter that can quickly absorb moisture.
Steps:
Get 2-liter bottles if possible and fill them with water. Add around 4 tbsp of calcium chloride to each one, closing the bottles tightly.
Put a plastic bag on a flat surface, place a bottle in the middle, and secure the bag around its neck with a rubber band. Place another bottle inside a plastic bag and seal it by placing another rubber band around its top section.
Place both bottles side by side near your dehumidifier.
Within a few hours, you can check on your dehumidifier by gently squeezing one of the bottles and feeling if it's still cold. Add more calcium chloride until this becomes the case. You'll know that your homemade dehumidifier is effective when condensation forms inside the bag and water droplets form on the bag.
4. The Silica Gel Moisture Absorber Dehumidifier
Silica gel is a natural material used to remove humidity from the air for a while. You can also make a homemade version of it by reusing materials you have at home.
Steps:
Find a container and add around 1 cup each of rice and silica gel, closing the container tightly before placing it in a dry and safe place.
You should be able to hear the rice crackling if water has started to condense inside the container. The sound will stop once no more moisture is present, which means that the dehumidifier is already working.
5. The Ultra-Efficient Coffee Whitener Dehumidifier
Coffee whitener contains glycerin which is a natural moisturizer. All you need to do is add this substance to a bowl or container, adding water to it before placing it inside your dehumidifier, where the moisture will be drawn out of the air.
Steps:
Add 1 cup of coffee whitener and water to any bowl you like, mixing them well. Place the bowl inside a plastic bag, then secure it with rubber bands around its neck before placing another plastic bag over it.
If you want to make the dehumidifier more effective, try adding silica gel or calcium chloride on top of the coffee whitener. These two materials will draw moisture from the air and absorb it, making your homemade dehumidifier more powerful.
6. Moisture Absorber Crystals Dehumidifier
You can find moisture-absorbing crystals in some deodorizers, air fresheners, and even kitty litter. These little beads contain a chemical similar to calcium chloride, making them perfect for homemade dehumidifiers.
Steps:
Place the crystals in an open container before placing them inside your dehumidifier. Add water to the crystals before closing the container tightly and giving it time to absorb moisture.
Be sure to spray or wet the beads with water once in a while so they can continue absorbing humidity from the air.
DIY Self-Draining Dehumidifier
If you forget to empty up a dehumidifier, your tanks will either have overfilled or closed down. You may also have exceeded the limit to drain it into a bucket or pour it on a floor mat. A self-draining dehumidifier is not difficult to build and you can use a faucet as drainage for between 3 and 5 dollars at any hardware store.
Steps:
Cut the top part of a clean 2-liter bottle, leaving enough room for you to remove its cap. Add around 1 cup each of rice and silica gel inside this empty bottle, then add around 4 tbsp of calcium chloride before tightly closing it with its cap.
Place the bottle within your dehumidifier where humidity will be drawn inside the container, eventually making its way out of the spout, drip into an airtight cup.
DIY Dehumidifier FAQ
How Effective Is a Rock Salt Dehumidifier?
Rock salt dehumidifiers are effective in drawing moisture levels from the air. They're quite easy to make, too; all you need is some rock salt and a few cups before adding them inside a ziplock bag and then closing it with rubber bands.
Can Diapers Be Used as Dehumidifiers for DSLR Camera Lenses?
Yes, you can keep your camera lenses from getting damp by placing a diaper in a zipper-lock bag and then using it to protect the glass. Place a few drops of lens cleaner on each side, then wipe thoroughly.
Can Clay Desiccant Cat Litter Be Used as a DIY Moisture Absorber?
Yes, a clay desiccant dehumidifier cat litter is a good substitute for commercial products; all you have to do is place this material inside a plastic bag or container, then place it next to your belongings.
Is DIY Dehumidifier Exhaust Safe?
DIY moisture removal devices are safe for indoor use, you just have to be sure that you're setting up the device within an enclosed space where humidity will be drawn out into your home.
DIY Dehumidifiers for Comfort?
Homemade dehumidifiers effectively remove humidity from the air, making your home feel cooler and more comfortable. Making homemade dehumidifiers is also cost-effective since you can use materials you already have at home.
