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Key Points
- Reduce the heat and amount of water produced to decrease the amount of humidity in the bathroom.
- Remove excess water and water sources to cut down on the moisture in the bathroom.
- Ventilate the space to quickly allow steam to escape, instead of building up in the bathroom.
High levels of moisture in your bathroom doesn’t just cause mold, it can also damage the paint, wallpaper, wooden surfaces, and even the pipes.
We spoke to plumbing professionals to find out their take on the best ways to reduce steam and humidity in the bathroom. Here are the 10 easy fixes these plumbing pros suggest if your bathroom bathroom is always steamy.
Meet the Expert
- TJ Laury is an HVAC and Plumbing Expert, as well as the President and Co-Owner of Ben’s ProServ.
- Patrick Fee is a Plumbing Professional and Co-Owner of Mr. Drain Plumbing with 25 years of experience in the industry.
Open a Window or Door
One of the simplest methods to handle a bathroom that seems to accumulate and trap a lot of steam is to open a window while you are having a shower or a bath. This easy source of ventilation will allow the steam to escape quickly.
If you don’t have a window, you can open the door to the bathroom immediately following your shower or bath.
“Leave your shower door or curtain open so the moisture can escape,” says TJ Laury, HVAC and Plumbing Expert, and President and Co-Owner of Ben’s ProServ.
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Wipe Down Wet Surfaces
The source of humidity and steam in the bathroom is moisture, so when you are finished showering, use a towel to wipe down the shower walls, doors, and floor to soak up any standing water and reduce the amount of moisture trapped in the bathroom.
“Try squeegeeing your shower walls after each use to remove leftover water,” Laury says.
A squeegee makes it easy to remove excess water and it can also be used for a quick cleaning, so your shower walls are free of dirt, oils, and debris.
Remove Wet Towels
After showering and wiping down the wet surfaces in the bathroom, don’t just leave the soaked towel hanging in a closed bathroom, as the towel can still contribute to the moisture in the room.
Instead, take the towel outside to dry or hang it in a well-ventilated area. This will allow the towel to dry quicker and it will also reduce the amount of steam in the bathroom.
Install or Use an Exhaust Fan
Many home bathrooms will already come equipped with an exhaust fan.
“Using a properly working exhaust fan is the easiest and most effective solution,” Laury says. “It’s designed to pull moist air out before it settles on your walls and ceiling.”
If your bathroom doesn’t have an exhaust fan, consider installing one and let it run for about 20 to 30 minutes after showering to provide more ventilation. You can even put in a humidity-sensing exhaust fan that will come on automatically when the humidity in the bathroom is too high.
Reduce Shower Temperature and Duration
Steam is produced when there is moisture and heat, so one of the easiest ways to cut down on the amount steam and humidity in the bathroom is to take shorter showers so there isn’t as much moisture trapped in the bathroom.
If you reduce the temperature of the water while you are showering, you can limit the amount of steam that is produced, cutting down on airborne moisture.
Use a Portable Dehumidifier
In some homes, such as those located in more humid climates, moisture issues can be difficult to treat with simple ventilation. If your home is prone to persistent moisture issues, then it may be more effective to invest in a portable dehumidifier to pull moisture out of the air.
“A small plug-in dehumidifier can quietly reduce moisture in the air, which is especially useful if your fan isn’t doing enough,” Laury says.
Add Pipe Insulation on Exposed Pipes
Reducing the number of surfaces moisture can cling to will help keep the moisture in the air, so you can ventilate the bathroom more efficiently and keep humidity levels manageable.
“One thing people overlook is how much condensation forms on exposed plumbing, so adding pipe insulation, especially on cold water lines, can reduce the moisture that ends up in the air, helping to control humidity right at the source,” according to Patrick Fee, Plumbing Professional and Co-Owner of Mr. Drain Plumbing.
Switch to a Low-Flow Showerhead
If you have a hard time limiting the length of your showers, an alternative method to reduce the amount of moisture in the air is to invest in a low-flow showerhead.
“Switching to a low-flow showerhead reduces the amount of hot water used, which naturally means less steam,” Fee says. “You’ll use less water and deal with fewer moisture problems.”
Use Moisture-Absorbing Packs
Similar to using a dehumidifier, you can help to reduce the amount of steam and humidity in the bathroom by using moisture-absorbing packs that will work to remove the moisture from the air.
“Toss a few moisture-absorbing packs (like the kind you’d use in closets) into drawers or corners of the room,” Fee says. “They’re surprisingly effective in small spaces.”
These packs will need to be replaced regularly when they are no longer effective at absorbing the moisture.
Seal Worn Tile Grout and Caulking
Take some time to assess the current state of the bathroom to identify any tile grout lines or caulking that appears to be worn or damaged.
“Definitely seal up any tile grout or caulking that’s looking worn,” Fee says. “Unsealed surfaces act like sponges and hold onto moisture longer.”
If the grout or caulking is significantly damaged, remove and replace the old grout or caulking. But if the grout and caulking is just worn, sealing it should be enough to reduce the amount of moisture it absorbs and retains, cutting down on steam in the bathroom.
