The Simple Addition To Your Kitchen To Combat Excess Moisture

Cooking on the stove, washing at the sink, and using the dishwasher are some of the activities that increase humidity in the kitchen. While it's normal for this to happen, too much moisture in the air can cause problems. If you start noticing foul odors, sweating walls, condensation on windows, or mold spots, then there is excess moisture in your kitchen and you need to review your habits and your ventilation system.

As you use the kitchen, open the windows and doors so fresh air can circulate, and don't let wet spills and moisture sit too long on your surfaces. This freshens up the room and keeps mold from having the dark, damp space it needs to grow. "Make sure you wipe down your countertops, stovetop, and sink after every use. It is easier to prevent mold growth than it is to get rid of black mold," advises professional Get Better Clean cleaner Mark Le (via Homes & Gardens). Here are some more things that can help you combat excess moisture in the kitchen, specifically various ventilation systems, and why getting a dehumidifier is the best option of them all.

Natural ventilation is always recommended, but if your kitchen isn't designed to circulate air properly then you need tools like extractor fans and dehumidifiers to remove humid air. "Installing a range hood or exhaust fan in your kitchen is one of the best ways to maintain proper ventilation. These tools function by bringing in air from the kitchen and releasing it outdoors along with any odors or steam that shouldn't be there," explains NYC House Cleaners president Gretchen Boyd (via Homes & Gardens).

Range hoods are installed over the stove to remove the air and steam that are expelled as you cook, while extractor or exhaust fans are installed inside the wall, ceiling, or another fixed place. If your kitchen doesn't already have these systems in place, it will be expensive to have them installed. As it turns out, a dehumidifier may be better for your kitchen because it can be easily added without professional installation. Furthermore, a unit can be placed right at the source of the humidity, and they come in various sizes to suit the needs of your kitchen.

Dehumidifiers are portable machines that only need to be plugged in to start removing excess moisture from the air. Even though they can be placed anywhere, the best location for your dehumidifier is right at the source of the humidity and, therefore, where humidity is at its highestlevel. This means it can be by the sink or dishwasher, not just your cooktop. Wherever this is, make sure that it isn't in a cramped space or blocked by other things so the dehumidifier can work properly.

A dehumidifier in your kitchen will improve the air quality by taking out any bad smells, lessening the presence of dust and allergens, and making it difficult for mold or certain bugs to thrive. If you have an air conditioning unit in your kitchen, running a dehumidifier alongside it will allow the AC to work less and conserve energy because it will only have to cool the air instead of working on reducing humidity as well.