Do Dehumidifiers Kill Mold? Know Why | All Dry USA (2024)

Once mold is inside the home, it can be a cause for panic. Mold is not only gross and intimidating, but it can also cause some rather serious health issues for people who are breathing in the surrounding air.

In most cases, mildew will begin to grow when there has been some water exposure. This means that bathrooms, kitchens, and attics are particularly susceptible to its growth. All of these locations provide a dark and humid environment for the spores to grow even if there is only the tiniest bit of moisture in the air.

So, you may be wondering how you can stop mold from growing in the first place. While there is no guarantee that your home will ever be mildew-free, there are some precautions you can take to stop it from getting any worse.

Read more: Does vinegar kill black mold?

What is a Dehumidifier and How Does it Work?

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to combat mold growth in the home is by purchasing a dehumidifier. These appliances are available in most local stores and are an inexpensive solution to an otherwise costly problem.

To state it plainly, dehumidifiers work to reduce the levels of humidity found within a closed-in location. These machines function by pulling the moisture out of the air and leaving the environment much drier than it was before.

The process works quite quickly but usually only works within a smaller space, such as a single room of a house.

How Does Mold Grow?

As stated above, mold tends to grow in places where water is or has been present. Spots of leaks, faucets, pipes and drains are all places that are highly susceptible to mildew growth.

Warmer environments also tend to encourage its growth. Those dark and hidden spaces throughout the home provide the perfect environment for it to spread and develop quickly.

Mold can grow on most materials but will spread faster through certain ones. Anything that is porous is more likely to absorb water, therefore making it an excellent spot for it to grow. These materials include:

• wood
• cardboard
• drywall
• paper
• fabrics
• carpets
• paints and wallpapers

Water has to be present for spores to grow, so a humid household is likely to have it appear in some places that are or have been exposed to water.

Mold can be detected by its pungent smell or by visibly checking locations regularly. Mold grows in spores that can float through the air and present potentially harmful inhalants for anyone at the location for any length of time.

Can a Dehumidifier Remove Mold?

Simply put, dehumidifiers cannot remove mold. The machine is designed to remove moisture in the air. This means that if there is already a presence of mildew in a home or building, it will not be removed just by working to reduce the moisture after the fact.

A dehumidifier can, on the other hand, help to prevent mold from growing in the first place. Again, these machines are not perfect and do not guarantee that there will be no growth, but they can significantly reduce those chances.

Read more: Can you mix bleach and vinegar to kill mold

Call Us Today!

If you are concerned that mold may grow in your home, it is, unfortunately, too late for a dehumidifier to help.

Luckily, our experts at All Dry USA are here to assist and can promptly restore your home. Give us a call today and we will happily help to remove the mold quickly and effectively!