How to Reduce Moisture in Bathroom (9 Easy Ways)

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The air in our bathrooms holds a lot of moisture, especially after we take a shower or a bath. The bathroom also contains a lot of cold surfaces such as mirrors and tiles.

When the moisture comes in contact with these cold surfaces, condensation occurs.

It is a process in which water vapor turns to liquid, creating tiny droplets of water. Because warm air holds more moisture than cold air, condensation will always be an issue in any bathroom.

So what can you do to reduce condensation in your bathroom? You can reduce moisture! Every bathroom will get condensation, but if you heat the room and ensure good airflow within it, you can reduce the problem.

9 Ways to Reduce Moisture in Bathroom

Some condensation is inevitable in all bathrooms. You will never be able to prevent it entirely.

What you can do is reduce the moisture so that the risk of mold is cut down and your mirrors and windows don’t get too misted.

Here are nine ways to reduce moisture in your bathroom:

1. Wipe the Surfaces Dry

Make it a habit to wipe down the surfaces with a towel after taking a shower or a bath.

Irrespective of how many windows and doors you have, your shower curtain and walls will be covered in water droplets when you are done.

While the droplets will eventually evaporate, you can speed up the process by wiping away any moisture build-up and leading it down the drain.

Wiping surfaces dry may seem like a painful task, but it won’t take too long. It will prevent issues caused by condensation, such as mold growth.

You don’t have to dry your bathroom entirely, but just enough so it is not soaked.

2. Ensure Proper Ventilation

When you’re running a bath or having a shower, the first thing you should do is open a window.

If you forget to open the window while taking a shower, you will notice a large amount of condensation on everything.

Opening a window might make you feel cold for a short while, but the hot water and steam from the shower will warm your bathroom in no time.

And, the condensation will escape! It would help if you also considered adding double-glazed windows to your bathroom. This is because single glazed windows tend to be colder and are therefore much likelier to attract condensation.

However, we suggest that you should open just the windows and not the bathroom door to ensure proper ventilation. Opening the bathroom door will spread the water vapor to other rooms in your home.

This can cause a condensation problem in those places.

If you are experiencing excessive moisture issues in your bathroom, you should examine your heating and cooling vents. Make sure that they are not fully or partially closed. +

Even a tiny closure in the vents can reduce the amount of dry air that gets into the bathroom, leading to condensation issues.

3. Use an Exhaust or Extractor Fan

If you don’t have windows in your bathroom, having an exhaust or extractor fan is a must for you. If you do not add such a fan to your bathroom, the moisture will have nowhere to escape.

This can lead to significant issues in the long run. You will have a severe problem on your hands. An extractor or exhaust fan will carry the moist air from your bathroom elsewhere (outside in the open).

If you are extremely serious about reducing condensation, you should get an exhaust or extractor fan, even if you have windows in your bathroom.

Having two places where you can pull the moisture out is an excellent idea.

Make sure you clean your fan regularly. Otherwise, dust and dirt will build up and make the fan less efficient. Ensure that your fan turns on with the bathroom light, so you don’t forget to turn it on.

If creating this connection is impossible, then place the button in a place where it is hard to miss (like right next to the shower).

4. Warm up the Walls

Cold walls are much more likely to draw condensation than warm walls. Various painted and tiled (ceramic) surfaces are all examples of cold surfaces.

There isn’t much you can do about them if you have chosen them for your bathroom.

Hence, keeping the entire bathroom warm is pretty much the only thing you can do to warm up the walls.

Less condensation will settle on your bathroom walls if they are warm. Hence, we suggest getting a radiator or an under-floor heating system installed in your bathroom.

It will reduce the amount of condensation in the bathroom and help keep the place dry after taking a bath or shower.

5. Install a Dehumidifier

A popular way to reduce moisture in a bathroom is to place a mini or portable dehumidifier near the shower or tub. Electric dehumidifier models can be highly efficient.

It would be best to opt for a dehumidifier with gel pads since it will avoid adding more standing water to your bathroom.

Make it a habit to run the dehumidifier before, during, and after your bath or shower, so the moisture levels in your bathroom are always low.

Even though a dehumidifier can be a great short-term solution to reduce moisture in the bathroom, you should only use it as a last resort since it isn’t a permanent solution.

You can also use moisture-absorbent materials instead of a dehumidifier in your bathroom, such as desiccant bags or trays.

6. Use Anti-Condensation Paint

Condensation is one of the main culprits behind mold growth.

Any extra moisture in the air, along with heat from showers and baths, creates an environment for mold growth. Taking a preventative step against condensation is a great way to prevent this problem.

Anti-condensation paint is a water-based substance that you can apply to your bathroom walls and ceilings. The paint draws thermal energy from the room and heats the surfaces you apply it on.

It warms up the surface, slowing down the condensation process by 60%.

Coating your walls with anti-condensation paint will also shrink the chance for mold and paint chipping. It is an excellent way to ensure water doesn’t stay on the walls.

Cover the walls and ceiling of your bathroom with paint resistant to condensation will make it less likely for mold to develop. Anti-condensation paint can also prevent water damage caused due to excess condensation.

7. Demist Your Mirror

You might have noticed a misted mirror after a hot shower or a bath.

Mirrors can quickly steam up. Hence, it is essential to wipe these surfaces dry.

This is pretty similar to wiping your windows. Not only will demisting allow you to see your squeaky clean face after washing, but it also reduces the dampness in a bathroom.

If you do not want to make the effort of wiping your mirror, you can also install demistable mirrors to do the job for you! Demistable mirrors are mirrors with heating pads.

These pads keep the surface of the mirror warm and prevent moisture formation. Therefore, there are no chances of condensation to form as it requires a cold surface.

Yes, a demistable mirror will cost you more than a standard mirror. But, if moisture in your bathroom really bothers you, this is an excellent way to help combat it. However, you don’t have to buy special demistable mirrors.

You can also buy heating pads separately and just upgrade the existing mirrors in your bathroom.

8. Don’t Dry Your Wet Clothes or Towels inside the Bathroom

The biggest mistake many homeowners make is hanging wet clothes and towels inside the bathroom.

These damp pieces of cloth can increase humidity in confined and compact spaces such as your bathroom. Please do not hang wet clothes and towels in your bathroom. Instead, hang them to dry outside. Let them air dry.

Since bathrooms often breed mold and mildew, permanently keeping your clothes and towels or inside is a bad idea.

It is tough to get mold out of towels and clothing. It gives off an awful smell and can even make you ill.

But obviously, you need a towel each time you take a shower or bath. So, instead of keeping towels in the bathroom, we recommend that you take in clean and dry towels from another room or a cupboard.

9. Fix the Bigger Problems

If you have tried everything on this list and the moisture hasn’t reduced substantially, there’s a high chance that there are bigger issues that you must combat.

In such a situation, it might be best for you to consult a professional.

Work with a professional and see if there are any signs of water damage in your home. Check whether there is a damp-proof course fitted in your home. Several issues can lead to increased moisture in a bathroom.

It would help if you looked out for tell-tale signs such as damp patches and mold. Also, look out for dry wood rot, crumbling plaster, and peeling or chipping paint or wallpaper.

Final Words

Even though a nice hot bath or shower can allow you to ease into your morning, the moisture it adds can create problems in your bathroom. Extreme humidity leads to condensation.

This, in turn, causes mildew and mold and can even lead to more significant issues such as peeling paint or wood rot in bathroom cabinets.

We suggest you follow the nine ways mentioned above to reduce moisture in your bathroom. Let us know which one works out the best for you!

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