Damp, dark places are the perfect breeding spots for mold and mildew. If they lurk in your homes, they can also destroy your air quality and your valuable belongings.
Unfortunately, there is no way you can run from excessive humidity. Whether your indoor humidity is because of the moisture in the air or water system leakages, there is little you can do to eliminate it entirely.
However, dehumidifiers can help reduce the humidity levels and prevent mold from occurring in your home. If you can’t bear the expenses of a dehumidifier, then non-electric options such as DampRid are the ideal solution.
But what is it, and how to use it? Check out this detailed discourse for details.
What is DampRid?
DampRid is a natural and non-electrical moisture-absorbing system that can help remove excess moisture from indoor air. It works using a non-toxic mineral called calcium chloride.
Calcium chloride is an inorganic mineral salt. In appearance, it looks like larger crystals of salt such as rock salt and naturally pulls out the moisture from your air to prevent indoor humidity.
Its safety features make it better than other moisture-absorbent products such as silica gel. It does not harm if ingested accidentally and is used in multiple products such as snow deicers and even as a food additive in some places.
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How Does DampRid Work?
DampRid uses a non-toxic moisture absorbent to suck excessive moisture from the air around it. Unlike silica gel and other non-electric dehumidifying alternatives, DampRid is made of food-grade salt crystals. This means it can be used in rooms with babies and people with health concerns.
However, the crystals can be harmful if ingested deliberately in large amounts, so they should be best kept away from the reach of infants and toddlers.
DampRid works almost the same way as a dehumidifier when it comes to functionality. It absorbs as much moisture from the air as possible and reduces moisture damage, such as the formation of mold and mildew in your home.
Depending on the type of DampRid you invest in, you can tackle moisture problems anywhere around the house, from your laundry room to your basement, bathrooms, and even large living rooms. DampRid works well regardless of the size of your space while helping you save on energy costs.
How to Use DampRid to Remove Moisture?
The best part about DampRid is its accessibility and ease of use. You don’t have to go through the hassle of making space and setting up a dehumidifier. Instead, you can simply place the DampRid in the area where you’re experiencing humidity problems.
You don’t have to connect it to an outlet or turn its power on. The crystals inside will start working immediately and absorb moisture from the air around you. But, if you’re working with a larger room such as a basement, try to place two DampRids on both ends of the room.
When the crystals absorb as much moisture as possible, they begin to harden and fall into the bottom chamber. That’s where your job comes in. You’ll have to check the bottom section now and then to ensure the perfect working of your DampRid.
Empty the bottom chamber and add more crystals to the top section to make the product work again. The DampRid moisture absorber lasts a month on average, but it depends on the moisture content of the air.
Why Use DampRid to Prevent Mold Growth?
There are several reasons to use DampRid to prevent mold growth. First, it is a cheap and productive solution for those looking to avoid mold and mildew problems without stretching their budget.
Besides that, it is easy to install and helps you save up on energy costs. Second, it is non-toxic to use it in multiple rooms around your home, basement, garage, or even RV.
It is an impeccably intelligent solution to prevent mold and mildew. The product only starts removing moisture from the air, with the humidity content being higher than 60 percent.
Mold and mildew only thrive at this humidity level, and if it starts sucking up the moisture at lower levels, it can dry up the air around you can cause respiratory problems.
Is DampRid Safe?
While DampRid is an easy and affordable solution, many people question its credibility when it claims to be non-toxic and natural. Mainly because while the crystals do not cause any severe harm if ingested accidentally in small amounts, they can still pose adverse health effects for children and pets.
Besides that, calcium chloride is entirely non-toxic in its liquid form, but the same cannot be said for its crystalline structure. Attributing to their absorbent properties, they are highly reactive to water, leading to severe problems if they contact a moist surface.
Similarly, in some cases, calcium chloride crystals can cause severe burns on the skin if touched frequently. However, if you follow the directions of use correctly, DampRid is a safe solution.
Which DampRid Product is Right for You?
Now that you know all the essential details about DampRid, you are probably thinking about buying it for your excess moisture and musty odors problem. However, several types of DampRid are available, so you’ll have to select the right one based on your needs.
Here’s a detailed overview of each option to decide which one is right for you.
Best for Basements and Garages: DampRid Hi-Capacity Moisture Absorber Bucket
If you face a highly damp and humid environment in your basement or garage, a small DampRid product won’t work for you. However, to increase the reactive agent’s efficacy in a large room, you will need the DampRid Bucket to achieve the desired results.
Designed especially for large garages, basements, and commercial settings, this four-pound DampRid bucket can help solve serious moisture problems. These include major pipeline leaks and basement floods.
Moreover, these buckets are pretty easy to use as well. First, you have to open its seal and place it near the leak or problem area. Once the crystals have disappeared entirely, you can replace them will new ones or discard the bucket if your issue is solved.
Best for Bathrooms and Kitchens: DampRid Refillable Moisture Absorber
If you’re sensing a weird smell from your bathroom or kitchen when living in a humid area, you should get the DampRid Refillable Moisture Absorber to get rid of it.
These products are filled with the same functional substance but are smaller and more manageable in size. Although this container can hold around an ounce of reactive crystals at a single interval, these products are ideal for small rooms such as bathrooms, kitchens, living areas, and even bedrooms.
A single filling can last you around a month, depending on the humidity in your area. Once the crystals have landed as a hard substance in the bottom area, you can refill the top spot and use the product again.
Best for Closets and Lockers: DampRid Hanging Bag
For those who want to solve the moisture exposure in their home but are afraid of their children reaching the product, the DampRid Hanging Bag is the ideal solution. You will receive the reactive crystals in a bag with a hook-style hanging container in this product.
All you have to do is fill the container and hang them anywhere you like, away from the prying hands of your children. Moreover, you can even hang them in small moisture-ridden places such as your closets, cabinets, and laundry rooms.
The small containers don’t carry much product, so you’ll have to refill them if you hang them in larger rooms with greater humidity. So, if you use them in your bedroom or living room, check the crystals every 10-15 days to ensure the product’s functionality.
Best for RVs and Campers: DampRid Disposable Moisture Absorber with Activated Charcoal
Humidity can easily aid mold and mildew development in closed spaces such as your car, RV, or camping tent. Mainly, if these spaces are not used frequently, they can develop an unfavorable smell that can become a headache when planning camping or road trips.
The best way to avoid such unpleasant problems is to invest in the DampRid Disposable Moisture Absorber. These disposable pods contain activated charcoal, making them ideal for dealing with bad smells and odors.
The best part is that these products are pretty affordable, so you can easily place them in every room, closet, and enclosed space to ensure a fresh environment. Unfortunately, however, these pods cannot be refilled, and you’ll have to replace them with new products once the crystals supply is exhausted.
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DampRid vs Dehumidifier
The primary difference between DampRid and dehumidifiers is that DampRid is a moisture absorber that utilizes a chemical solution to gradually extract excess moisture from the air in a small, enclosed space, such as a closet in an RV. On the other hand, dehumidifiers are electric appliances that efficiently remove moisture from the air in larger, open areas with plenty of air exchange, such as basements or crawl spaces.
| Feature | DampRid | Dehumidifier |
| Cost | Typically less expensive upfront, but requires frequent replacement of its moisture-absorbing crystals. | More expensive and may require additional costs for maintenance and repairs. |
| Effectiveness | Ideal for small, enclosed spaces, such as closets and bathrooms | Best for large areas with high humidity levels, such as basements and crawl spaces. |
| Convenience | Easy to use, requires no electricity or installation; portable. | Requires electricity and must be plugged into an electrical outlet. |
| Maintenance | Requires frequent replacement of its crystals and checks periodically for leaks and spills. | Requires maintenance, including regular cleaning of the unit and its filter, as well as emptying the water collection tank. |
| Eco-friendliness | Chemical-based, not very eco-friendly | Eco-friendly models are available |
| Safety | Generally safe, but keep out of reach of children and pets | Safe when used properly, but may pose a fire or electrical hazards |
Dehumidifiers can be used in many of the same situations where DampRid is commonly used. Dehumidifiers are typically more effective than DampRid at removing moisture from the air and can handle larger areas.
If you already own a dehumidifier, it can be a more cost-effective option to use it instead of purchasing DampRid. However, DampRid may still be a good option for smaller spaces or as a backup in case of power outages.
Read Also: The Best Crawl Space Dehumidifier Units
DampRid vs Silica Gel
Another common alternative to deal with moisture-ridden areas is silica gel. This moisture-absorbent product is usually found in commercial products and used by shipping companies.
However, it does not work as well as DampRid in larger areas and is not safe when ingested, even in small amounts. But, silica gel is relatively cheap compared to DampRid, so you can spread it out in your basement and crawl spaces evenly where there’s no fear of your children or pets reaching the product.
But, spreading the product in bulk will reduce the productivity of your space compared to a DampRid, which can be simply hanged or placed in a single corner.
The next aspect of comparing DampRid and silica gel is safety. Yes, DampRid can cause burns and injuries if its crystals contact skin, but that’s about it. If used safely in the enclosed package, DampRid is relatively harmless.
On the other hand, silica gel won’t work efficiently if used in an enclosed package for large spaces. This leaves it at a higher risk of getting consumed by little ones around the house.
You can combine both products in this case by using DampRid for larger rooms and placing silica gel packages in small spaces.
Takeaway
DampRid is an efficient product for moisture removal if you want to decrease humidity enough to eliminate mold and musty odors but not too much to cause dryness. Moreover, the product is convenient, accessible, and affordable so that you can use it in multiple rooms around your home or stored camper/RV.
However, you should read its safety instructions properly and check its calcium chloride levels now and then to ensure hassle-free functionality. Also, assess the space you have at hand to purchase the right DampRid to tackle the problem.
