Emily Smith
If you’re dealing with excess moisture and condensation in your home, you may be pondering the benefits of dehumidifier bags. Wondering whether they are a useful choice for tackling said moisture on a budget.
Many of us will have heard of the benefits of using one of the best dehumidifiers to reduce humidity in the home, and have the best dehumidifier deals bookmarked because they are not always affordable. Aside from the cost of running a dehumidifier, you might need help with moisture levels in numerous rooms and buying multiple machines isn’t cost-effective. Could this be where dehumidifier bags come in?
But how exactly do they work, and are they really a helpful option for tackling moisture in your property, especially when compared to buying a dehumidifier? We asked experts whether it’s worth picking up a dehumidifier bag for a damp home.
What are dehumidifier bags and how do they work?
What are dehumidifier bags? They are exactly what they say on the tin. When you purchase one, you can typically expect to receive – quite literally – a plastic bag (or tub) designed to capture the excess moisture from your home slowly but surely. And they are widely available at a range of affordable retailers, so they’re a hugely popular choice.
Most of us are probably roughly aware of how dehumidifiers work by now, especially if you have one yourself. So as an alternative, how do dehumidifier bags work to collect moisture from your home if they aren’t operated electrically, like a dehumidifier?
The dehumidifier bags most people will be referring to tend to look like small hanging plastic bags with a hook at the top. Typically, there is also a white substance that hangs at the top, which looks almost like tiny little white balls. You can buy one-use dehumidifier bags, or reusable dehumidifier bags that need drying out after filling.
"Dehumidifier bags can usually be bought in multipacks, and typically include silica gel or calcium chloride - a type of salt that can trap water molecules and eliminate high levels of humidity," explains James Longley, managing director at Utility Bidder.
Dehumidifier tubs, small plastic boxes with either silica gel or calcium chloride balls at the top, may also be referred to as dehumidifier bags. Both are particularly good to help prevent mould in wardrobes with ease.
This material will, as mentioned, work to trap the water that circulates your home before it is decanted into the lower half of the plastic bag. This section of the bag will therefore fill up with water as the weeks go by.
"A dehumidifier bag works by containing some form of moisture-absorbing crystals. They are usually made of silica gel, calcium chloride, or activated charcoal. They work to pull water from the air, therefore dehumidifying a room/location," explains Nicholas Auckland, heating and energy expert at Trade Radiators.
In this sense, a dehumidifier bag works similarly to a regular dehumidifier machine, which collects moisture from the air before dispensing it in a tank, to be removed.
Once the bag is full of water, it will need to be removed from where it is hanging and replaced, if the bag itself isn’t reusable, to continue preventing the pesky build-up of moisture in your property and prevent condensation on windows.
Nicholas Auckland is a heating and energy expert with almost 20 years of experience in the industry, as well as the Managing Director of Trade Radiators. Nicholas is dedicated to finding the best heating solutions for every need, as well as optimising energy usage, reducing costs and helping others live with lower costing energy bills.
£26.99 | This dehumidifier is the perfect design for when you have to have it on show, because unfortunately other dehumidifier bags are not nearly as attractive. The compact model includes one bag 600g of moisture-absorbing crystals which lasts for up to 3 months
£10.30 for 12 | Complete with handy hanging hooks these simple dehumidifier bags are ideal for wardrobes to combat unwanted moisture. And fear not, the storage bags are leakproof to ensure they won't damage any items in your capsule wardrobe.
£16.99 for 12 | These small moisture absorber bags are for any small area of the home such as bathroom shelves, cupboards and drawers. The disposable moisture absorbers for the home work by collecting condensation at the same time they give off a cleaner & fresher scent. These are ideal when storing jumpers.
FAQ
Do dehumidifier bags really work?
Their effectiveness when compared to a regular dehumidifier may be disputed, but dehumidifier bags are generally considered to be a helpful addition to your home if you suffer significantly from the nastier effects of damp, such as mould and excess condensation.
"Product quality can differ, but a high-quality calcium chloride desiccant dehumidifier bag will prove effective in preventing mould and the onset of other moisture-related issues where utilised," James explains.
They also have a range of benefits that dehumidifier machines can’t provide. "As the colder months start to take hold, dehumidifiers are an extremely beneficial asset in preventing dampness, condensation and mould from developing," James says. "Nevertheless, dehumidifiers come at a cost to buy, are quite large, and are generally a loss maker in terms of energy costs (this is how much a dehumidifier costs to run)."
"The bags, on the other hand, are a lot cheaper, and tend to cost under £20 – whereas dehumidifiers can cost over £100," James continues.
Where should you use dehumidifier bags?
Where you place a dehumidifier and where you use the bags will determine how effective they are. As mentioned, dehumidifier bags are most usefully placed in areas where a dehumidifier may not typically be able to extend its efforts – often considered the best dehumidifiers for bathrooms.
Smaller areas are where they should be put to use, like wardrobes, pantries, airing cupboards and even outdoor buildings like sheds. They work best in these smaller areas as they're not as powerful as regular dehumidifier machines, which means they won't be able to tackle bigger, more humid spaces.
Whilst you can put them in larger rooms, you'll find they fill up quicker, and you'll end up going them them faster than is helpful.
How long do dehumidifier bags last?
While a dehumidifier machine should have a lifespan of years, dehumidifier bags are more of a short-term solution. However, in many cases, they should last a relatively decent length of time, especially given their much more affordable price point.
"Of course it depends on the type of bag, size of bag, humidity levels in the home etc etc, but on average you're looking at them lasting anywhere from a month to a couple of months. In high humidity areas, they won't last as long as the crystals will be constantly pulling a lot of moisture from the air therefore filling up the bag," explains Nicholas.
How do you dispose of dehumidifier bags?
Due to the short-term life span of dehumidifier bags, there will come a time when you'll need to safely and appropriately dispose of them. The timeline will differ with each type, but there is usually some common ground.
"I would check the manufacturer's guidelines for the specific bag. Each bag will be different as it depends on what the crystals are made of and how the bag is made. For many of the silica crystal bags, you can dispose of them with normal rubbish," says Nicholas.
However, other types, he explains, will need to be emptied before you throw them away with the usual rubbish. Nicholas stresses the importance of checking and double-checking the manufacturer's guidelines so you don't run into any issues.
w&h's pick of the best dehumidifiers
If you're looking for a dehumidifier that's large enough to hold at least 16L of water, sleek, space-saving, and will dry your laundry, the Avalla X-150 is your perfect match. Rated the best on our list, this machine left the air in our home clean and moisture-free.
Our MeacoDry Arete One review found this to be an all-around great dehumidifier. It's simple, easy to use, and quiet for families with little ones. It even has a laundry mode, handling your home's moisture and wet clothes.
A wet, damp room is the worst, but thanks to this Pro Breeze model being able to hold a large capacity of 5.5L of water, removing 20L per day, your room will be left clean and moisture-free.
Though dehumidifier bags are safe to use in the home, you may want to be cautious with them around little ones.
James explains, “Although the silica gel is usually non-toxic, it can be a choking hazard, particularly for small children and animals. As such, the bags should also be in a space that is out of reach of animals and children.” And curious pets.
