High humidity in your bedroom not only makes it harder to sleep well, it can also bring about mold, mildew, dust mites and other allergens. Here are 6 ways to lower the humidity level in your bedroom. 

1. Turn on the AC

The warm air that your AC collects and exhausts outside carries with it some moisture. So when you turn your AC on, it cools and dehumidifies your home at the same time. 

That said, an air conditioner does not dehumidify quite as well as a dedicated dehumidifier. So it works best when it's mildly humid. 

If you don't have central AC or you are worried about the costs of running the AC to cool and dehumidify just one room, you can get a portable air conditioner, a mini split or a window AC unit. 

2. Get a Dehumidifier 

For very humid weather, get a dehumidifier. A well sized dehumidifier will easily keep your bedroom between the recommended 30-50% humidity range. 

There are numerous types of dehumidifiers ranging from large ones that can dehumidify an entire basement to small bedside ones. The most important thing is to get one that is designed for the size of your bedroom. 

If you can, get a dehumidifier with an auto mode. It automatically maintains humidity at your desired level by cycling on and off and adjusting fan speed. This is especially convenient in your bedroom. You just set the humidity level you want and go to bed. 

3. Get an Exhaust Fan 

Exhaust fans are usually installed in the bathroom, but there’s no reason you cannot install one in your bedroom. Get a pro to install one and vent it outside through the ceiling or wall depending on whether it is a wall or ceiling mounted fan. 

Another option is a window fan. You position it on the window sill, similar to a window AC unit. A window fan sucks moist air from inside the room and exhausts it directly outside. It can also bring cooler drier air from outside to reduce indoor humidity.  

4. Use a Regular Fan 

Though not quite as effective as a dehumidifier or an exhauster fan, a regular fan can also help reduce humidity in your bedroom. It’s especially helpful in hot and humid weather, which slows down evaporation and leaves your skin clammy with sweat. 

By improving air circulation, a fan makes it easier for sweat to evaporate off your skin and helps you sleep cooler.

Better air circulation also prevents humidity buildup in specific areas of your bedroom. So a fan can lower indoor humidity, but only by a bit. If there’s too much humidity, we recommend using a window fan or getting a dehumidifier. 

Tip: To make a fan more effective at lowering humidity, open two windows opposite each other to create cross ventilation. Then position a pedestal or desk fan close to one window facing outside. This blows humid stale air outside and brings in fresh air that’s less humid through the other window. 

5. Open a Window 

If you don't have a fan or dehumidifier, simply opening a window can lower humidity in your bedroom by preventing moisture build up. 

Use the cross ventilation trick we’ve explained above. It works even without a fan. With the two windows open, you’ll have a fresh breeze blowing through your room. You can use window screens to keep out bugs. 

6. Remove Anything That Increases Humidity 

Take a look around your bedroom for anything that could be increasing the humidity or causing it to remain elevated. Some common culprits include indoor plants, carpeting and other soft furnishings, and your bathroom. 

For indoor plants, consider substituting them with fake plants. Consider getting rid of your carpet and get a small rug instead. This will also reduce the amount of allergens in your bedroom (carpets are notorious for mold, dust mites, pollen and other allergens).

As for your bathroom, shower with the door closed to reduce how much vapor comes into the bedroom. Also make sure you have a bathroom exhaust fan installed. 

Don’t forget to look for plumbing leaks, roof leaks, damp walls and any other moisture issues that could be making your bedroom more humid than it should be.