Moisture in the home mainly comes from you and your daily activities: breathing, showering, cooking, and drying laundry indoors. Moisture can also enter from outside through leaks or rising damp. Without proper ventilation, this moisture remains in the air and condenses on cold surfaces such as windows and walls.
Moisture from breathing and sleeping
Even when you are not doing anything in particular, you produce moisture. Water vapour is released with every exhalation, so this also happens at night in your bedroom. If several people sleep in one room with the windows closed, the humidity will rise more quickly. This explains why windows are often misty in the morning. You can read more about this phenomenon in our article on condensation on windows.
Moisture from cooking and showering
Cooking and showering produce a lot of water vapour in a short time. A pan boiling without a lid, or a long hot shower in a small bathroom without proper extraction, can cause the humidity to rise quickly. Therefore, turn on the extractor hood when cooking and ventilate the bathroom after showering. If you want to keep the bathroom free from mould, read how to prevent mould in the bathroom.
Moisture from drying laundry indoors
Wet laundry slowly releases water into the air in the room. If you hang a full load in a small space, the humidity can rise significantly. You can read how much moisture is released in how much moisture is released when you dry laundry indoors. It is best to dry laundry in a ventilated room or use a dehumidifier.
Moisture from outside and the building structure
Not all moisture comes from inside. A leaking gutter, a cracked joint, or a faulty pipe can let moisture in. Rising damp comes from the ground and is different from condensation. You can find an explanation of the difference in condensation or rising damp: how can you tell the difference?. If you suspect a structural problem, have a professional come and take a look; a device will not solve the cause.
Direct answer: moisture in the home mainly comes from breathing, showering, cooking, and drying laundry, along with leaks and rising damp. Ventilation and dehumidification keep the humidity manageable.
Overview of the main sources of moisture
| Source | Amount of moisture (indicative) | What helps? |
|---|---|---|
| Breathing and sleeping | Low per hour, but accumulates at night | Ventilate the bedroom |
| Showering and bathing | A lot in a short time | Extraction, keep the door closed, then ventilate |
| Cooking | Moderate to high | Put a lid on the pan, turn on the extractor hood |
| Drying laundry indoors | A lot, over several hours | Ventilation or a dehumidifier |
| Leakage or rising damp | Variable and persistent | Have the cause repaired |
The column showing the amounts is a qualitative indication and not a measurement; the actual amount depends on your household and home.
What can you do about excessive moisture?
The first step is ventilation. Milieu Centraal explains how to ventilate a home properly, and also provides background on mould and moisture in the home. If that is not sufficient, for example in a room without proper extraction, a dehumidifier can help lower the humidity. You can measure the humidity with a hygrometer; this is useful if you want to monitor the humidity levels.
The Dynter DH251 dehumidifier is a compact option for this purpose:
Capacity: dehumidifies up to 900 ml per day
Water tank: 3800 ml, so you do not have to empty it often
Coverage: suitable for rooms up to 55 m²
Power consumption: 80W
Extras: night mode with display off, timer from 1 to 24 hours, and a safety sensor that switches it off when the tank is full
Size: 24 × 13.4 × 37 cm and 2.51 kg
View the Dynter DH251 or all dehumidifiers from Dynter.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main source of moisture in the home?
This varies from home to home. In general, showering, cooking, breathing, and drying laundry are the main daily sources.
Why is it damp in the bedroom in the morning?
You exhale water vapour while sleeping. If the room is cold and closed, this moisture condenses on windows and walls.
Does ventilation always help with moisture?
Usually, provided the air outside is not more humid than the air inside. During prolonged damp weather, a dehumidifier can be a useful addition.
Can a dehumidifier fix a leak?
No. A dehumidifier lowers the humidity, but does not address the cause of a leak or rising damp.