How to remove moisture from walls using natural methods

AlexMay 24, 2014

163 5 minutes read

How to remove moisture from walls using natural methods

How to remove moisture from walls: yellow walls, moldy surfaces, water scales and damp surfaces are the unpleasant effect of the humidity factor.

It manifests itself on the walls of old homes, rooms of houses that have little exposure to sunlight or that are subject to little maintenance. It is also due to the effect of the long rainy periods, which increasingly characterised our winters. So, how do we remove the moisture from the walls in our houses without the need for structural solutions or chemicals?

How to remove moisture from walls

There are simple and natural remedies that exist for those who do not want to resort to traditional dehumidifier to remove moisture from walls.

Excess humidity, due to the proliferation of bacteria and viruses, has a negative effect not only on the structure of the buildings, but also on the health of its inhabitants, causing respiratory problems, nasal congestion, sore throat and rheumatism.

Of course, prevention is always the best weapon to avoid the problems arising to begin with. During the process of designing your house just follow some precautions to help you to maintain ‘healthy rooms’. First of all you will need to ensure a good thermal insulation, by reinforcing the main structures such as the floors and ceilings with concrete.

EXPLORE: How to varnish wood with natural methods

Concrete is better then a plaster-based interior plaster , as it absorbs the moisture, while generous eaves help to limit moisture, especially on the exterior walls. Finally, make sure that the kitchen is downwind , providing possible conduits and so that air vents can act as ‘vacum cleaners’.

You should ensure you have good extractors in bathrooms and kitchens, making sure that the hood of your cooker is always discharged to the outside. Another recommendation: is to never to obstruct the air vents. Also avoid placing the most dominant furniture (wardrobes, bookcases, etc..) in front of vents.

Another useful tip to help you avoid mould is to try and buy non-impregnated wooden furniture, limit the number of plants in your home, and collect the water from your fridge when you defrost it and avoid letting it evaporate.

Now we come to the good domestic habits, which if followed will contribute to your goal of living in healthy environments, free from moisture. First of all try to ensure proper ventilation of the interior, opening doors and windows when the weather conditions permit and letting in much light as possible , especially in the cold season, open your blinds and shutters in the day. Circulate fresh air on a daily basis is a good habit and even for short periods during the winter.

FOCUS: Being energy efficient: how to optimize home heating

Bathrooms and kitchens, with cooking pots and steam showers these rooms are at most risk of being humid environments.What are the solutions? Use vacums, to help sustain their life always clean the filters and ensure good maintenance. If the bathroom is equipped with a fan , always remember to start it when you shower or bath, because they will remove the moisture from the house. Today you can buy commercial fan chandeliers at very affordable prices. A worthwhile expenditure, because the fans, turning, attract the dry air inside the home, decreasing the degree of humidity. Also with regard to the bathrooms, keep an eye on the grouting of the tiles, especially on the plate of the shower and on the edge of the tub.

Other precautions involve the plants located on the inside of the house. The wet soil tends to humidify the air, so try watering or spraying only when strictly necessary.
Another fairly common practice that encourages moisture to spread inside the houses, is clothes put out to dry. As they give off steam by increasing the rate hygroscopic, it is better to dry everything outside, for example, on the balcony or terrace.

Even the rainy seasons helps to increase the moisture content. Be sure to prevent water from accumulating around the perimeter of the house, perhaps making some modifications to your gutter. In any case, at the first appearance of mold along the walls do not hesitate to remove it, and, insofar as possible, disinfecting with bleach .
Here is now the most original part of this advice anti-mildew. If you do not want to spend to buy a dehumidifier , we propose some solutions do-it-yourself which are very cheap.

Another trick to remove moisture from walls naturally is to use salt: it is inexpensive and readily available. Through the process of osmosis, it is able to attract the water, including the vapor present in the air. There are several ways to prepare your homemade dehumidifier.
You can for example use an organza bag or cotton gauze filled with salt. Or fill a closed plastic container with coarse salt , and make holes in the lid. The box will collect the excess water and all you have to do is periodically empty the container and refill it with dry salt. For proper dehumidification calculated 150 grams of salt per 10 square meters .

As an alternative to the plastic container, you can use a colander placed over a pot, cover with a kitchen towel and place inside the usual 100-150 gr of salt, depending on the size of the room. If you do not want to cover the colander, you can always use a cloth bag with the salt inside it , you will be able to achieve the same excellent results.
Another anti-humidity device can be derived from a simple plastic bottle. In this case, you just clean it and cut in half near the cap to get a wide opening. The upper part, containing the salt, will then be perforated and placed inside the other to act as a binder, as in the case of the colander. Before its use place it in the refrigerator for a night, to increase the power of the anti-humidity. The results will not disappoint you!

There are also alternatives to the purchase of electric dehumidifier that consumes a lot of energy: salt lamps. It is designed in a pyramid form and emits a red light. They contain a precious Himalayan salt, which naturally absorbs moisture. The temperature activated by the light encourages the process of osmosis. With regard to their use, it is recommended not to place them directly on top of the furniture but on a wooden support.
Not a solution at no cost, but definitely cheaper dehumidifiers traditional trade in salt lamps can be purchased at a price varying from 20 to 60 Euros depending on the size. The base can of course be recovered, while the top part should be replaced when the salt deteriorates.

Finally, with regards to small spaces, such as drawers, shoe racks and furniture of small size, are particularly effective in the key moisture silica granules, with a strong absorbing power.
So, that’s one more natural cheap remedy, that will help you take away the mould easily and effectively.