Dealing with steamy windows: dehumidifier or just crack the window?

If you’re dealing with foggy windows after showers or cooking, I’d stick with the dehumidifier most of the time. You mentioned,

“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.

Cracking the window always seemed like a quick fix, but in my old 1950s place, the chill sets in fast and then the heating has to work double-time. I tried one of those portable dehumidifiers last winter and was honestly surprised - it pulled a shocking amount of water out of the air, and the room didn’t feel like a meat locker afterward. The only downside is remembering to empty the tank (which I forget more often than I’d like). Exhaust fans are great in theory, but mine sounds like a jet engine and barely moves any air. I guess nothing’s perfect, but I’d rather deal with a noisy gadget than repainting over mold.

The only downside is remembering to empty the tank (which I forget more often than I’d like). Exhaust fans are great in theory, but mine sounds like a jet engine and barely moves any air.

Those moisture-absorbing crystals are basically glorified cat litter, in my experience. Tried them in the bathroom and they filled up fast, but didn’t make much difference unless the room was tiny. Dehumidifier’s definitely more effective, but yeah, the noise is real - mine hums like it’s plotting something. Window cracking works when it’s mild out, but as soon as temps drop, I’m right back to huddling in a hoodie. Honestly, I just rotate between them depending on weather and how lazy I feel about emptying tanks.

Dehumidifier’s definitely more effective, but yeah, the noise is real - mine hums like it’s plotting something.

Yeah, the hum drives me nuts too. I tried one of those “silent” models - still sounded like a fridge running in the hallway. Honestly, nothing beats just cracking a window when I can stand it. My bathroom’s tiny though, so even a quick blast helps more than those crystals ever did.

Honestly, nothing beats just cracking a window when I can stand it. My bathroom’s tiny though, so even a quick blast helps more than those crystals ever did.

Same here - my bathroom’s basically a closet with a shower, and those moisture crystals are just sad. I tried a “whisper-quiet” dehumidifier once and it still sounded like a jet engine powering up. Cracking the window for five minutes after a shower actually clears the fog faster than anything else I’ve tried. Plus, no electricity bill spike or weird humming at 2am.

Yeah, I’ve had the same experience with those “quiet” dehumidifiers. The one I tried claimed to be low-noise but it still rattled the doorframe at night. Plus, emptying the tank every couple days got old fast.

Cracking the window is just easier, especially in a small space. I do wonder sometimes about heat loss in winter though - does anyone actually notice a spike in their heating bill from airing out after showers? I try to just open it for a few minutes, but in January it feels like all the warm air’s gone instantly.

I guess if you live somewhere super humid year-round, a dehumidifier might make more sense. For me, just letting the steam out seems to work better and doesn’t add another appliance to my already cramped bathroom. Anyone ever mess with installing a bathroom vent fan in an older house? I keep thinking about it but not sure if it’s worth the hassle or just stick with the window...

We had the same debate when we moved in last fall. Our bathroom doesn’t have a fan, and I was worried about mold, so I tried one of those little dehumidifiers - honestly, it sounded like a distant lawnmower and I kept forgetting to empty it. Cracking the window works better for us, even if it’s freezing outside. I do notice the bathroom gets chilly fast, but our heating bill didn’t really jump. Installing a vent fan crossed my mind, but I’m not sure I trust myself with all that wiring in an old plaster wall... might just stick with the window for now.

I totally get the hesitation with messing around in old plaster walls - been there, and it’s a can of worms sometimes. I actually tried to install a vent fan in our 1950s bathroom a couple years back, and let’s just say the “quick afternoon project” turned into a weekend of dust, questionable wiring, and a lot of cursing. Ended up calling in an electrician anyway.

Honestly, we just crack the window like you. We’re in the Midwest, so yeah, it gets cold, but it clears the steam way faster than that noisy little dehumidifier we used to have (which I also forgot to empty half the time). Only thing I do differently now is run a cheap box fan on the floor for a bit after showers - that helps move the air without freezing us out completely.

I do keep an eye on the corners for mold, though. Haven’t really had issues since we started opening the window every time. Sometimes the simplest solution just works best, even if it means a chilly dash out of the shower.