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6 Unique Ways to Use a Dehumidifier

Yes, I know it's still winter, but it's been raining A LOT here in Austin the past couple of days and the cedar count is high. So while most people associate a humidifier with winter (and they should!), I've been thinking about dehumidifiers. I am not suggesting you put a dehumidifier in your bedroom in the winter since it will dry out your skin and could even give you a bloody nose, but other rooms might benefit from having one.

Generally, most people use a home dehumidifier for when they have bad allergies or find mold in their house, but here are other ways a dehumidifier can be helpful:

1. Protect Stored Bedding
A mini dehumidifier can keep stored sheets and clothes from smelling musty and make sure cloth-eating insects stay away. Another important reason you should consider keeping a dehumidifier in a storage closet is that it will prevent microscopic mildew from growing on sheets. The mildew isn't visible to the naked eye, but it can still cause harm. Mildew can easily be transferred from the bedding to the inside of your mattress, in which case, the mattress is ruined and must be thrown out.

2. Keep Electronics from Malfunctioning
This one shouldn't be a large concern in the winter, but for those who live in high humidity areas it isn't uncommon for moisture to form inside electronics, such as computers. Everyone knows that water and computers don't mix. Moisture can lead to corrosion and fry your hard drive, which would mean the loss of all the photos and important documents you have saved.

3. Safeguard Automobiles, Machinery and Tools During Storage
Most people wouldn't think a car needs a dehumidifier, but it's not for the inside of the car. Show cars or cars that are collected are usually kept in storage most of the year, and have the potential to rust if kept in high humidity. The same idea goes for other machinery and tools. Moisture causes metal to rust and corrode, but a dehumidifier can protect these items and save you a lot of money from having to replace them. If you do want a dehumidifier for the inside of your car though, a dessicant dehumidifier doesn't require any power and should do the job.

4. Stop Woods from Warping and Cracking
Too much or too little moisture is not a good thing for wood. Door frames can be warped by excessive humidity, which causes annoying squeaking or sticking. If you have wood floors, wooden furniture or even instruments, a dehumidifier will keep them from absorbing too much moisture and being damaged.

5. Preserve Family Treasures and Heirlooms
Many people keep a dehumidifier in their basement or a crawl space to keep mold from growing and destroying their home. The basement dehumidifier is also protecting their photo albums, records and other important possessions. Since these rooms are especially prone to dampness, it isn't the best environment for storing valuables, but it is the most convenient, which is why it should be the first place you consider placing a dehumidifier in your home.

6. Help Foods Stay Fresh Longer
This is probably a use you never thought of for a dehumidifier, but makes perfect sense when you consider it for a minute. Moisture causes food to decay faster than any other factor and creates an attractive environment for weevils, fruit flies and other pests that just love to live in dark pantries and cupboards. A mini dehumidifier will not only keep away the bugs, but the food will stay fresh for longer periods of time.

Our site, SimplyDehumidifiers.com, offers home dehumidifiers, basement dehumidifiers and even large commercial dehumidifiers for water extraction from flooding. There are also buyer's guides, comparisons and reviews to help make the buying process easier or just for educating yourself more about the benefits of owning a dehumidifier.

A dehumidifier is a very small investment when compared to the damage that might be caused by high humidity in your home.