If you’ve ever set foot inside a house and noticed a musty or earthy smell that made you think of a damp basement then you’ve likely been exposed to mold. That odor is characteristic of mold and can be a sign that there is a serious problem. Humidity can be a wonderful thing outdoors, but can create the ideal environment for mold to grow. A large colony can cause significant structural damage to a house and might even lead to health problems for some individuals.
I hadn’t really considered how moisture in the air might be damaging my home or affecting my health until I noticed some cute fuzzy black mold on the walls in my basement and in my closets.
A few of my friends had mentioned that they thought my house smelled a bit musty, but I didn’t think much of it since I had become so accustomed to it and couldn’t detect the odor.
Needless to say, the sight of that lovely mold growing on my walls sure got my attention!
Over the course of a couple of weeks, I spent a ton of time learning about mold and I discovered that it’s fairly simple to control. Fortunately, the colonies in my home hadn’t had a chance to go too crazy and I was able to wipe them out with a vinegar solution and keep them from coming back by placing a dehumidifier nearby.
Since household mold is such a common problem, I thought I’d share what I learned along the way. I’m a glutton for punishment and researched the topic in extreme detail. While you may not be interested in everything I have to share, I would strongly encourage you to review my tips about dehumidifiers since they are the most important tools for keeping mold from recurring in the future.
  |
Top PickFrigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier Best Performer The Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier is easy to setup and does a great job of consistently pulling moisture from the air. It isn’t as loud as other models and can be used in most living spaces without creating too much noise pollution. On top of all that, it has a simple and stylish appearance that blends well with most modern interiors. Click here for additional product details » |
Frigidaire 70-Pint Dehumidifier
| PRODUCT SPECS | |
|---|---|
| POWER | 1 hp |
| SIZE | 30, 50, 70 |
| NOISE | 51 dB |
| DRAIN | Continuous |
| WARRANTY | 1-Year Full 5-Year Sealed |
If you are looking for an easy-to-use dehumidifier that will maintain a consistent level of humidity without keeping you up at night then you should take a look at this Frigidaire model. It’s one of the best on the market and it does a great job of keeping moisture down so that mold can’t run wild in your home. It comes in a few different sizes including 30-Pint, 50-Pint, and 70-Pint options so that you have more flexibility in choosing the most appropriate machine for your living space and local humidity levels.
The controls are so easy to learn my grandma is able to make some adjustments for me and there is a 24-hour timer that allows me to set it and forget it. The digital humidity readout helps me sleep at night because it confirms that the unit is keeping the moisture low enough to prevent mold from haunting my dreams.
Although this Frigidaire model isn’t the cheapest dehumidifier that you will find, I think the slightly higher price is justified when you consider how well it works and how easy it is to use. If cost is the primary concern for you and you’re willing to compromise on the quality a bit then you might consider taking a look at the Keystone or hOmeLabs dehumidifiers. They come in similar sizes, but tend to be a bit cheaper than the Frigidaire unit.
When is it time to consider purchasing a dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier serves one main purpose and that is to remove moisture from the air. If you’ve begun to notice problems in your home related to high humidity then it would be a good idea to purchase a dehumidifier. The most common issues include a musty or earthy smell and mold growing on the walls, windows, or ceilings.
Mold spores are circulated throughout all homes by air that has entered from the outdoors. If these spores settle on a surface that has the right conditions a colony will begin to form. This colony will grow as long as the proper environmental conditions are maintained. Over time, the colony can become quite large and can cause damage to your home and health.
A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air which is the most critical component for growth. This ensures that the spores remain dormant after they have settled on various surfaces throughout your home.
If the humidity in your house is above 50% then mold is likely to grow. A dehumidifier can be set to lower the humidity to 35 – 40%. This will ensure that spores lack the moisture they need to thrive.
Once you have placed a dehumidifier in your home, you can then focus on removing any mold that you see growing on the walls or ceilings. If the colony covers more than 10 square feet or you suspect that there is mold growing in concealed locations such as air ducts then it is best to hire a local remediation specialist to handle the removal process.
  |
Budget-Friendly
|
Keystone 50-Pint Dehumidifier (KSTAD50B)
| PRODUCT SPECS | |
|---|---|
| POWER | 115 Volts |
| SIZE | 30, 50, 70 |
| NOISE | 55 dB |
| DRAIN | Continuous |
| WARRANTY | 1-Year P&L 5-Year Sealed |
If cost is a top priority for you then you might want to take a look at this model. Keystone is a pretty decent brand that is known to remove moisture at about the same rate as some of the other top brands, but is known to have a few issues in the durability department. If you don’t want to compromise on quality, but would still like to save a few bucks then you could always purchase one of the lower capacity Frigidaire models.
It is very important to understand that the units with smaller capacity might be inadequate for larger living spaces such as the basement or garage. Keystone offers 30-Pint, 50-Pint, and 70-Pint units that you can compare with other brands to determine which is going to work out best for your budget. This unit has easy-to-understand electronic controls and an LED display that lets you know what the humidity level is in the room.
Like other dehumidifiers of this size and class, the Keystone units do come with a 24-hour timer, alert / automatic shutoff when full, and a continuous drain option when a garden hose is attached. I think this is a great option if you are on a budget, but you should be prepared to deal with a few more functionality issues compared to Frigidaire models. I also feel that this unit doesn’t look as stylish as the other options out there and might not complement modern interiors as well as some people would prefer.
Important considerations before making a purchase
Location
Dehumidifiers come in several different sizes with varying capacities for removing moisture from the air. The size of the room where you intend to place the machine will determine how big the unit needs to be.
If you are wanting to lower the relative humidity in a closet or bathroom so that your towels or clothes don’t remain damp then you will do just fine with a compact unit that remove 15 – 30 ounces of water each day.
Larger areas such as living rooms, basements, or garages typically require a much bigger dehumidifier that has the capacity to remove 30 – 70 pints of water each day. These work great for removing the conditions that are necessary for mold to grow on walls, ceilings, and windows.
Sound
All dehumidifiers will generate some amount of noise and you’ll want to carefully consider how that might impact your ability to carry out normal daily activities. If the machine is running constantly in your bedroom or living room then it may interfere with your ability to sleep, have a normal conversation, or watch television.
If you intend to place it in a garage, basement, or crawl space then the noise it creates might not be of much concern and a large unit should be perfectly fine. If you want the noise to be minimal and you intend to setup the machine in a bedroom or living room then one of the smaller options might be more appropriate.
Alternatively, some people who have large dehumidifiers operating in an active area of the home such as a bedroom or living room choose to let it run while they’re away and simply switch it off when they’re home. This works especially well with products that have a programmable interface that allows you to specify when the unit should be running.
Settings
Two important user controls that you might want to consider include the ability to set a specific humidity level and operational schedule. Mold likes to grow when realtive humidity is above 50% so you’ll definitely want to buy a unit that can maintain a humidity in the range of 35 – 45%. Displays that show the humidity level are very nice because they confirm that your objective has been achieved.
A 24-hour timer is always handy because it gives you the freedom to set the time of day when you want the dehumidifier to run without having to be present to turn the unit off or on. I can’t even imagine how annoying it would be to have to do this manually. It also lowers your electricity bill by reducing energy consumption.
Most of the larger machines come with these types of user controls, but a smaller unit might not.
Bucket Size and Drainage
The moisture that your fancy new dehumidifier pulls out of the air will be sent to the bucket located in the lower half of the unit. Needless to say, the process of emptying the bucket can be time consuming and laborious if a large amount of water is being collected. This is why you need to carefully consider how much water you will be dealing with given the relative level of humidity in your geographic region and the size of the room where the dehumidifier will be running.
If you decide that you’ll be faced with a large volume of water then you will want a machine that has a large bucket or the option for continuous draining. A dehumidifier that offers continuous draining will allow you to attach a garden hose that will direct all of the water away from the bucket and into your wastewater system or wherever you want it to go. This can be a lifesaver because it means you won’t need to always be emptying the bucket manually for the unit to continue running.
Compact or small to medium sized dehumidifiers might work perfectly fine for you if you think the volume of water won’t be overwhelming. This is usually the case in areas where humidity levels are low to moderate or when the homeowner plans to place the unit in a small bedroom, closet, or bathroom.
  |
Popular Pick
|
hOmeLabs 70-Pint Dehumidifier
| PRODUCT SPECS | |
|---|---|
| POWER | 4.7 Amps |
| SIZE | 30, 50, 70 |
| NOISE | 52 – 56 dB |
| DRAIN | Continuous |
| WARRANTY | 2-Year Limited |
The hOmeLabs 70-Pint unit is very similar to other medium sized dehumidifiers. It seems to function as well as many of the other models in the short-term, but we are aware that a few issues have surfaced with the auto-defrost function and the drain attachment. The fact that it is manufactured by a smaller company means that the documentation that comes with the unit isn’t has detailed and the online support seems to be a bit lacking. That being said, it is more affordable than the Frigidaire models and similarly priced to the Keystone units.
This dehumidifier also comes with a touch control panel, auto shut off, auto defrost, and 24-hour timer. While it isn’t overly challenging to learn how to operate the controls, I would say that they do tend to be less intuitive than the Frigidaire dehumidifier and I’m not so sure that I would be as confident that my grandma could figure it out on her own. If your grandmother is the independent type then you may want to consider one of the other machines.
I tend to focus a lot on appearance when I purchase a new appliance because I want it to blend seamlessly with my home’s interior. This unit is similar to others in that it is white and about the same size, but it is boxier than the Frigidaire dehumidifier and I would say that it doesn’t look as nice sitting in my living room. However, I do like the look of this unit better than the Keystone models. This is totally subjective though and you will have to decide for yourself which of these options best fits your standards for appearance.
FAQ
Q. What is a dehumidifier?
A. A dehumidifier is a machine that removes moisture from the air. This process lowers the humidity level in an enclosed space such as a closet, bathroom, bedroom, living room, basement, or garage.
Q. What does a dehumidifier do?
A. Dehumidifiers are designed to pull moisture from the air. There are a variety of methods that are used to accomplish this task, but the ultimate goal of a dehumidifier is to lower the level of humidity in the space where it operates.
Q. How does a dehumidifier work?
A. Most dehumidifiers work using thermal condensation or desiccant absorption. Small household units being sold to consumers typically use thermal condensation. This process uses a fan to pull air in directing it across a refrigerated coil where the moisture condenses. The water is then sent to a collection tank or drain. Dehumidified air is blown back out.
Desiccant absorption uses a material that becomes saturated and is then moved to a location where the moisture is driven off. This isn’t commonly found in residential use, but can be seen in industrial settings.
Q. Do I need a dehumidifier in my basement or living areas?
A. If you see mold or notice a musty smell then chances are you need a dehumidifier. If you don’t reduce the moisture levels then you might end up with structural damage to your home, mold growth on furniture and clothes, or even compromised health.
Q. What size dehumidifier do I need for my basement or living area?
A. Dehumidifier size is usually defined by capacity to pull moisture from the air in pints per day. When selecting the proper size for your needs it’s important to think about both the amount of space where the unit will be running and the relative humidity within that space.
A 30-pint dehumidifier is designed for an area up to 1,000 square feet with low to moderate humidity. If the room is between 1,000 – 2,500 square feet with moderate to high humidity then a 50-pint model is usually best. If the room is over 2,500 square feet then you should use a 70-pint unit. You can also choose to go with a larger machine on a lower setting to ensure that you achieve the targeted humidity level.
Q. What is mold?
A. Mold is a type of fungus. It’s known for it’s colorful appearance on food and it’s fuzzy growth pattern. Mold that looks dusty has already developed a large number of spores. Although mold is a vital part of our ecosystem, some types can create compounds that are toxic to human health.
Q. How fast does mold grow?
A. The rate at which mold grows depends heavily on the nutritional and environmental conditions near the surface where the spores have landed. A moist and nutrient-rich surface in a climate that has moderate to high temperatures will encourage rapid growth. If spores find themselves on a dry surface with low nutrient levels in a cold environment then they may remain dormant until the conditions change.
  |
Popular Pick
|
TOSOT 70-Pint Dehumidifier
| PRODUCT SPECS | |
|---|---|
| POWER | 6.2 Amps |
| SIZE | 50, 70 |
| NOISE | 48 – 52 dB |
| DRAIN | Continuous |
| WARRANTY | 1-Year Limited |
This unit is really no different than any of the other 70-Pint models when it comes to the amount of moisture it can pull from the air. However, it does have a more stylish look to it and comes with an internal pump that could be extremely convenient if you don’t have a floor drain where the gravity-fed continuous pump could be directed. Energy consumption and the amount of sound produced by this dehumidifier is similar to other machines. Other features that are comparable include digital humidstat display, automatic defrost, automatic shut-off, continuous drain hose connector, and timer control.
Personally, I really like the appearance of this unit and the addition of the internal pump but I could understand why some people might not want to fork over the extra dough for these features. Overall, it comes down to personal preference and priorities when deciding to purchase a specific dehumidifier assuming that those in the running are the same size and haven’t been known to have major structural or functional issues.
Q. What causes mold in a closet or a house?
A. A home that has issues with mold usually has high humidity levels and has been constructed with building materials that contain cellulose. Dark, damp, and improperly ventilated rooms tend to have high levels of mold growth. Basements, bathrooms, closets, kitchens, and garages are some of the most common areas where mold likes to grow.
Q. At what humidity does mold grow?
A. Different types of mold vary widely in their preferences. While most molds prefer a warm and humid climate, there are certain types of mold that can survive in the most extreme and inhospitable areas of the World. That being said, areas that experience an average humidity between 55 and 75 percent tend to experience the most growth.
Q. Is mildew and mold the same thing?
A. Mildew is closely related to mold, but is often white or gray whereas mold can have several different colors including red, green, blue, or black. Mildew also has a characteristic flat growth pattern and typically appears dusty or powder-like while mold looks slimy or fuzzy. Both smell bad and can negatively impact your health, but mold grows on a range of surfaces including windows, floors, walls, and ceilings. Mildew also requires more humidity and higher temperatures in order to grow.
Q. Is mildew a fungus?
A. Yes, mildew is a type of fungus just like mold.
Q. How do you know if your house has mold?
A. The easiest way to know if your house has mold is to look at all of the floors, walls, windows, and ceilings to see if there is any mold growing. If you don’t see any, but you smell a foul or musty odor then there is a good chance that it’s growing in a concealed location. A professional can come to test the air to determine if the spore count is high, but this process can be costly and isn’t always necessary if the mold is clearly visible.
Q. What does mold smell like?
A. Mold produces a musty smell like there is something damp in the home. Some people say that it smells like rotting wood and has an earthy quality. There is some variation in smell that’s dependent on the type of mold and the compounds that are released as it breaks down organic matter. Some mold produces a foul smell that is nutty or similar to acetone. If you notice smells like these in your home, but haven’t seen any mold then it could be growing in a concealed location and you may need to have the air tested.
  |
Popular Pick
|
Afloia 2,000 mL Portable Dehumidifier
| PRODUCT SPECS | |
|---|---|
| POWER | 40 Watt |
| SIZE | 2,000 mL |
| NOISE | < 42 dB |
| TANK | 2 Liter |
| WARRANTY | 2-Year Replacement |
The Afloia compact portable dehumidifier is much smaller than other models, but it is a great option if you are dealing with an area that is less than 270 square feet and want the unit to be as quiet as possible. Compact machines are also a lot cheaper than the 30 – 70 Pint options and could be the best alternative if you have a strict budget to work with. It’s also worth pointing out that most portable dehumidifiers don’t come with a continuous drain and you’ll have to empty the tank manually each time it fills up in order for the unit to continue operating. If you are dealing with a room that’s on the higher end of the square feet range or the relative humidity is high in your geographic region then this could become a problem, but otherwise isn’t normally an issue.
Unlike the larger models, this unit uses a Peltier Module to remove moisture from the air. This process uses electricity to generate a temperature differential as opposed to using a coolant compressor. Although the Peltier system does create less noise, the components themselves tend to be lower quality and less durable. In most cases a Peltier-based machine like this one will not last as long as the larger dehumidifiers. That being said, they could be the best choice if you’re looking for the most affordable option for a small room.
Q. How can you tell if mold is toxic?
A. Most people can’t tell by appearance or smell if mold is toxic. The mold needs to be analyzed by a laboratory or a an experienced expert in order to determine its toxicity. This is because there are many varieties of mold that can look similar, but have vastly different affects on human health.
Q. Can mold on walls make you sick?
A. Yes, with any mold there is the potential that you could get sick. The risk of becoming sick depends on the amount of mold, it’s species, length of exposure, your health status, and many other factors. If you think that your health has been affected then you should speak with a healthcare professional in your area.
Q. What can breathing in mold do?
A. Allergic and respiratory complications can occur when mold spores are inhaled in large amounts. It is common to experience difficulty breathing, persistent cough, and frequent sneezing. If the mold is toxic then you may suffer from more severe signs and symptoms. You might want to talk to a healthcare professional if you think you have been exposed to mold.
Additional Dehumidifier Reviews
Compact / Portable Dehumidifiers
Large dehumidifiers capable of collecting 30 – 70 pints of water each day work great in situations where humidity levels are high or the room you are dealing with is over 300 square feet, but in some cases these might be overkill. If the room you’re wanting to dehumidify is less than 300 square feet or the humidity tends to remain fairly low then you may want to take a look at one of the more affordable compact machines.
  |
Small Rooms and Spaces
|
Hysure Compact Portable Dehumidifier
| PRODUCT SPECS | |
|---|---|
| POWER | 70 Watt |
| SIZE | 2 Liter |
| NOISE | < 35 dB |
| TANK | 2,000 mL |
| WARRANTY | 1-Year Limited |
This unit is a good alternative to the Afloia model. It also has a Peltier Module that creates a temperature differential using electricity to remove moisture from the air. They both have a tank that is capable of storing 2 liters of water, but this unit is supposed to be a bit quieter than the Afloia dehumidifier. As was mentioned before, the compact models do not have a compressor and are particularly well-suited to bedrooms and living-rooms where people will be sleeping or a lot of conversation will be happening. The biggest thing to be aware of with the portable units is the fact that they tend to be constructed using lower quality parts and aren’t as durable as the larger 30 – 70 pint dehumidifiers.
This Hysure unit comes with many of the features that you probably expect from a dehumidifier by now including easy-to-understand user controls, auto shut-off, and a removable tank. However, it does not have a continuous drain function and; therefore, you will need to manually empty the tank each time it becomes full. This can become quite a hassle if you place it in a room larger than 270 square feet or attempt to use it in an area with high humidity. You should certainly consider a larger unit if either of these situations applies to you.
  |
Small Rooms and Spaces
|
SEAVON Compact Portable Dehumidifier
| PRODUCT SPECS | |
|---|---|
| POWER | 22.5 Watt |
| SIZE | 500 mL |
| NOISE | 30 – 40 dB |
| TANK | 16 ounces |
| WARRANTY | 2-Year Limited |
This SEAVON dehumidifier is designed for small areas of the home such as bathrooms, bedrooms, and closets. It will pull up to 250 mL of moisture from the air each day and you will need to manually empty the 500 mL storage tank once it fills up. It’s not a bad option if you want an affordable and quiet machine that is far less likely to wake you up at night or interfere with normal conversation in the more active areas of the home. It’s also a great unit for lowering humidity in rooms that tend to experience higher levels of moisture such as bathrooms. Adding a machine like this to your bathroom can help prevent mold formation and will keep your linens drier.
As with other compact models, this dehumidifier utilizes the Peltier module to create a temperature differential that causes moisture to condense. Again, the components of a Peltier system tend to be lower quality and less durable but they do make for much cheaper and far quieter units. Other features include automatic shut-off, easy-to-use controls, LED indicators, and modern design.
  |
Small Rooms and Spaces
|
hOmeLabs Compact Portable Dehumidifier
| PRODUCT SPECS | |
|---|---|
| POWER | 25 Watt |
| SIZE | 16 ounces |
| NOISE | 30 – 40 dB |
| TANK | 500 mL |
| WARRANTY | 2-Year Limited |
The hOmeLabs compact and portable dehumidifier is great for lowering the humidity in a bathroom, bedroom, or closet. It is very similar to other units of comparable size and comes with several of the same types of features including an auto shut-off mechanism, indicator lights, and user controls that are simple to understand. Its quieter design compared to 30+ pint units makes it ideal for a bedroom where you want to enjoy undisturbed sleep or a living room where you will be having lots of conversation. One of the biggest downsides with a machine that is this small is the fact that it doesn’t come with a continuous drain and you will have to empty the tank manually every time that it fills.