I get the appeal of a dehumidifier, but honestly, I found mine to be kind of a pain. It worked great at first, but then the electricity bill jumped noticeably—even with a small unit. Plus, emptying the tank every day got old fast. I've had better luck just cracking the closet door open slightly and using moisture absorbers like DampRid. Cheaper, quieter, and zero maintenance hassle...though I'll admit, probably not as thorough as your setup.
Totally get your frustration on the electricity bill spike—small units can be deceivingly power-hungry. A few points from my experience:
- DampRid is a solid low-maintenance choice, especially if your humidity isn't extreme.
- Cracking the door is simple and effective; airflow is key to mold prevention anyway.
- If you ever reconsider a dehumidifier, some newer models have drain hoses—no more daily tank emptying.
Sounds like you've found a practical balance already though...sometimes simpler really is better.
Good points about airflow and DampRid. I've had decent luck with those moisture absorbers myself, but honestly, they're no miracle cure if your humidity is consistently high. One thing I'd add—have you checked the seals around your windows and doors? Even tiny gaps can let in a surprising amount of moisture. I resealed mine last summer, and it made a noticeable difference in humidity levels indoors. Maybe worth a quick look if you haven't already...
Sealing around windows and doors definitely helps, but have you checked your crawlspace or basement lately? I've seen a lot of homes where moisture sneaks up from below, especially if there's no vapor barrier or proper drainage down there. Had a client last year who kept battling mold in closets upstairs, and it turned out the real culprit was dampness rising from an unsealed crawlspace. Once we got that sorted—putting down a good vapor barrier and improving ventilation—the humidity dropped significantly throughout the whole house. Might be worth poking around down there to see if that's contributing to your issue...
Totally agree about crawlspaces—it's amazing how much moisture can creep up from there. Another thing to consider is your closet setup itself. I once worked with someone whose closets were jam-packed, no airflow at all, and mold loved it in there. We swapped out solid doors for louvered ones, spaced clothes out better, and even added a small moisture absorber tucked in the corner. Made a noticeable difference...and bonus points, her clothes stopped smelling musty too.
