When dealing with humidity problems, good intentions sometimes lead to actions that make things worse. Many people unknowingly sabotage their own efforts to control indoor moisture. Recognizing these common mistakes helps you avoid them and focus on what actually works.
Mistake #1: Keeping Windows Closed All the Time
Some people never open windows, whether for security, noise, temperature control, or simply habit. While there are valid reasons to keep windows closed sometimes, never ventilating creates a sealed environment where humidity from daily activities has nowhere to go.
The fix: Find opportunities for ventilation. Even brief window-opening during favorable weather helps. If security is a concern, consider ventilating when you're home. If noise is the issue, try early morning or late evening when it's quieter.
Mistake #2: Opening Windows When Outdoor Humidity Is High
The opposite mistake is ventilating at the wrong time. If outdoor humidity is higher than indoor humidity, opening windows brings more moisture in rather than letting it out.
The fix: Check outdoor conditions before ventilating. On hot, humid summer days, keeping windows closed and using air conditioning or a dehumidifier may be more effective. Ventilate during drier parts of the day, often morning or evening.
Rule of thumb: If the air outside feels muggy and heavy, it probably won't help your indoor humidity situation.
Mistake #3: Running Exhaust Fans Too Briefly
Turning off the bathroom fan the moment you step out of the shower doesn't give it time to clear the moisture. The bathroom is still full of steam, and that humidity will spread through your apartment.
The fix: Leave exhaust fans running for at least 15-20 minutes after showering or cooking. The fan needs time to remove the moisture that's still evaporating from wet surfaces.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Exhaust Fan Problems
Many apartment exhaust fans are undersized, poorly maintained, or don't actually vent outside. If your fan doesn't seem to help much, there may be a problem—but people often just accept it.
The fix: Test your exhaust fans. They should noticeably pull air toward the vent. If they seem weak or ineffective, report the issue to your landlord. Functional exhaust ventilation is a reasonable expectation.
Mistake #5: Drying Clothes Indoors Without Ventilation
Air-drying clothes indoors releases all their water content into your air. A single load of laundry contains liters of water. Without ventilation, this moisture has nowhere to go.
The fix: Dry clothes outdoors when possible. If you must dry inside, do it near an open window or in a room with good ventilation. Consider using a dryer that vents outside if available.
Mistake #6: Pushing Furniture Against Exterior Walls
Placing wardrobes, bookcases, or beds directly against exterior walls traps air in a cold, poorly-circulated space. Condensation can form behind the furniture, leading to moisture damage you won't notice until it's significant.
The fix: Leave a gap of a few inches between furniture and exterior walls. This allows air to circulate and prevents hidden moisture buildup.
Mistake #7: Sealing the Home Too Tightly
In pursuit of energy efficiency, some people seal every possible air gap—weather stripping, caulking, draft stoppers. While reducing drafts can help with heating and cooling costs, completely sealing a home prevents moisture from escaping.
The fix: Balance sealing with intentional ventilation. It's fine to reduce unwanted drafts, but make sure you have ways to exchange indoor air for outdoor air when needed.
Mistake #8: Using a Humidifier When You Shouldn't
Humidifiers add moisture to the air and are useful in dry climates or during dry winter heating season. But running a humidifier in an already humid apartment makes things worse. Some people run humidifiers out of habit without checking whether they're actually needed.
The fix: Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity. Only use a humidifier if humidity is genuinely too low (below 30%). If you're already at 50% or higher, a humidifier is working against you.
Mistake #9: Expecting Moisture Absorbers to Solve Everything
Small moisture-absorbing products are useful for closets and small enclosed spaces, but they can't dehumidify an entire apartment. Some people buy several containers expecting them to handle serious humidity problems.
The fix: Use moisture absorbers for their intended purpose—small, enclosed spaces. For room-level or apartment-level humidity, rely on ventilation and, if needed, an actual dehumidifier.
Mistake #10: Covering Up Symptoms Without Addressing Causes
Wiping condensation off windows every morning without asking why it's there. Using air fresheners to mask musty smells. Painting over water stains. These actions address visible symptoms while ignoring the underlying humidity problem.
The fix: Treat symptoms as indicators. Condensation means humidity is too high. Musty smells mean moisture is accumulating somewhere. Water stains mean water has been present. Find and address the source.
Mistake #11: Not Monitoring Humidity
Trying to manage humidity by feel alone is imprecise. Some people tolerate uncomfortable humidity without realizing how high it's gotten, while others worry excessively about humidity that's actually fine.
The fix: Get a hygrometer. They're inexpensive and tell you exactly what your humidity level is. This takes the guesswork out of the equation and helps you track whether your efforts are working.
Mistake #12: Assuming the Landlord Won't Help
Some tenants assume humidity is just their problem to solve and never mention it to their landlord. But humidity can result from building issues—poor insulation, inadequate ventilation systems, leaks, or structural problems—that require professional attention.
The fix: Document persistent humidity problems and communicate with your landlord. Take photos, note humidity readings, and describe the issue. You may not be able to solve building-level problems yourself, but your landlord might be obligated to address them.
Mistake #13: Setting the Dehumidifier Wrong
If you do use a dehumidifier, setting the target humidity too low wastes energy and can make the air uncomfortably dry. Setting it too high means the unit runs but doesn't actually help.
The fix: Set your dehumidifier to maintain humidity between 40-50%. This is comfortable for most people and low enough to prevent moisture problems without over-drying the air.
Avoiding Mistakes = Better Results
Humidity control doesn't require expensive equipment or complicated systems. Often, the biggest improvements come from stopping counterproductive habits and being consistent with basic practices like ventilation and exhaust fan use.
Review this list honestly. If you recognize any of these mistakes in your own habits, making adjustments may solve your humidity problem more effectively than adding new equipment or products.