Mini (non electric) dehumidifiers... anyone tried?

MORPH3US

Has anyone tried the mini (non electric) dehumidifiers such as these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dehumidifying-Dehumidifier-Damp-Moisture-Absorbing/dp/B002D1ZT78

Our bedroom windows get very damp (and mouldy) in winter and so I was hoping something like this might stop that?

The good thing about the one above is when its full, you can microwave it to get rid of the moisture and then use it again.

Just don't know if they will be any good, and don't really want to pay so much either.

I had one of these before http://www.betterware.co.uk/productdetails.aspx?pid=036769&cid=128&language=en-GB and it seemed to work well (was nearly overflowing after a month) but you have to throw these away when they are full.

Thanks

Musique

Hi - I haven't used the Amazon ones but have used similar to what you have used before. You shouldn't have to throw them away as the refill granules can be bought from Wilkinsons so just keep the plastic container. They do the job but the only thing that has now stopped it completely is new windows unfortunately...

foxgloves

I have used Betterware ones which you could refill with crystals. They certainly used to fill up with water, so must have worked, but it still seemed damp in the cupboard I'd got them for. In the end, I bought an Ebac electric dehumidifier. It was well over £200 at the time. I wouldn't want to spend that much now I've discovered budgeting. I still use it & it does take a lot of water out of the air as well as reduce steam & condensation after baths & drying washing indoors in winter, but I don't know how much electricity they use. I only turn it up when I've got a problem as am Mrs. Stingy these days where paying money to electricity companies is concerned.

Fire_Fox

I have the Egg and it's useless for anything but the smallest space (cupboard): I also have a Snake which is a little better but not worth the money.

Basically condensation on a window is a sign that the air in the entire room is saturated and the water is settling on the coldest surface - the only Old Style solution I have found is to keep your bedroom door open, wipe all the glass down every morning and open the windows every day all year round.

Kiwisaver_2

I'm no technical whizz, but I do live in a very damp climate and I can't see how that egg thing works. What happens to the water, do you tip it away? It doesn't say much on the blurb, but as far as I can see microwaving it will generate stream and simply put the moisture back into the atmosphere.

I use the granules in small spaces, such as cupboards and wardrobes and simply tip the water away when all the granules have dissolved. You can get refillable ones and just need to buy more granules.

However in your situation, if it is just the window getting condensation and mouldy, it sounds like ventilation would be a better way to go. Open the window a crack whenever you can and let some fresh air in. Leaving doors open will also help.

Bedrooms accumulate moisture and condensation from your breath as you sleep, so if you can open the window for even a short while after you get up in the mornings, the problem should go away. If possible have the window open just a tiny bit most of the time. If the windows have trickle vents, make sure they are open

Money_saving_Diva_2

I bought two of THESE from a website that was decidedly cheaper than Amazon (will try and find it and post it here).

They cost nothing much to dry out overnight every few days and really do seem to do the job though obviously if you have a big problem with damp you might need something more.

Diva.x

Zazen999

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/moisture-trap/F/C/cleaning-protecting/C/cleaning-protecting-de-humidifiers/product/21538

We bought one and popped it in our damp understairs cupboard and 4 weeks later tipped the water out and it's not smelt since. Brilliant.

Penelope_Penguin

As this has fallen from the front page of OS, I'll move it to the In My Home Board, to see if the experts there can help you further

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere (please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

System

Zazen999 wrote: »

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/moisture-trap/F/C/cleaning-protecting/C/cleaning-protecting-de-humidifiers/product/21538

We bought one and popped it in our damp understairs cupboard and 4 weeks later tipped the water out and it's not smelt since. Brilliant.

these work a treat i get replacement crystals from the range.

27col

My friend uses some of the Lakeland type in his yacht during the winter and they do seem to collect quite a lot of water. Having said that, I wonder why people's houses do suffer from damp in the winter. They obviously do not have their houses heated, or insulated properly. I can honestly say that I have never had any condensation since we got CH and a bathroom extractor fan over 40years ago.

Zazen999

27col wrote: »

My friend uses some of the Lakeland type in his yacht during the winter and they do seem to collect quite a lot of water. Having said that, I wonder why people's houses do suffer from damp in the winter. They obviously do not have their houses heated, or insulated properly. I can honestly say that I have never had any condensation since we got CH and a bathroom extractor fan over 40years ago.

Or they are very very old and situated next to a canal, like ours.