Every time I cook pasta or take a hot shower, my windows fog up like crazy. It’s not even that cold outside—just humid, I guess? Anyway, I’ve been going back and forth between using a little plug-in dehumidifier in the kitchen and bathroom, versus just opening the window for a bit to let the air out. Both work, but I’m not sure which is actually better in the long run.
The dehumidifier definitely helps keep things dry without making the place freezing (and it’s nice not to have bugs flying in when you open the window), but it’s kind of loud and I always forget to empty it. Also, not sure how much electricity it chews up—anyone notice a difference on their bills? On the other hand, cracking the window is easy and free, but in winter it makes the room so cold so fast. Plus, sometimes it doesn’t seem to do much unless it’s windy outside.
I’m curious what other folks do when your windows start fogging up from humidity. Do you stick with tech like dehumidifiers or just go old-school and let in some fresh air? Or maybe a mix of both? Anyone tried those moisture-absorbing crystals—do they actually work or is that just a gimmick?
If you’re dealing with foggy windows after showers or cooking, I’d stick with the dehumidifier most of the time. You mentioned,
That’s the big downside—letting out all the heat you paid for. Dehumidifiers do use some power, but unless you’re running a big one 24/7, the cost isn’t huge. Those moisture-absorbing crystals? They’re fine for closets, but in a steamy bathroom or kitchen, they just can’t keep up. If you’ve got a good exhaust fan, that’s even better than both.“cracking the window is easy and free, but in winter it makes the room so cold so fast.”
“cracking the window is easy and free, but in winter it makes the room so cold so fast.”
That’s exactly why I stopped opening the window after showers—my bathroom turned into an icebox in no time. I’ve found that running a small dehumidifier for 20-30 minutes right after a hot shower does the trick and doesn’t spike my electric bill. It’s not totally “free” like cracking a window, but I figure I’m saving more by keeping the heat inside.
I agree with you about those moisture crystals—they’re just not up to the job in a steamy kitchen or bathroom. They work for my wardrobe, but that’s about it.
If you’ve got a decent exhaust fan, that’s probably the most efficient way to go. Mine’s kind of old and noisy, so I usually stick with the dehumidifier unless I’m cooking something extra steamy. It’s a bit of a balancing act... but honestly, anything’s better than dealing with moldy window frames down the line.