Homemade moisture trap

Cheerygirl

We use Kontrol Krystals to refill the moisture traps. Very effective. Easily available.

I saw a Kontrol moisture trap in the local ‘we sell everything’ shop so, having ordered the crystals I thought I’d buy the refillable trap. I do have a problem getting the top off it though. It can’t be good for the environment but I do need to keep the underside of my dresser damp free after finding mould underneath it last year. I can’t empty it and turn it upside down to treat properly although I did lie on the floor and treat as much as possible with vinegar.

Mt61

Are those beads good for the environment?

Or bad!!

Are those beads good for the environment?

Thank you, everyone.
In the short term, I have refilled with salt crystals but will buy the suggested Kontrol crystal refills next week.
My windows are ok, fortunately, just odd patches of mould in corner of bedroom by window and corner of bathroom,
It’s magic how those moisture captures work!

They are called kontrol crystal refill , large bag about £6. Lasts about 6months . Fills lots of older dehydration containers. It’s in a blue grab bag .

I buy the large bag of refill crystals, much cheaper than the plastic container. I pierce a hole in the material across the top , pour the water out and new crystals in . The cost drops dramatically and no more plastic waste after initial buying of filled containers. I also have a tiny one on the dash of the car , works a treat .

I think just bite the bullet & buy a dehumidifier ( the Meaco ABC ) is cheap to run, sick of drying wet windows every morning.
I don’t think those plastic ones with the beads are particularly cheap to buy & keep replacing!

I bought a bag of replacement crystals.

I put cheap salt in a dish and leave on window sill. Works perfectly well.

We use salt in our static caravan over the winter. Just put a covering in the bottom of an old ice cream tub in each room. When we go back in the spring there’s water in the bottom of the tubs covering the salt. Throw the salt away , rinse the tubs ready for next year. It works, no damp and only costs a couple of pounds.

All air is moist anyway. Yes these traps fill with moisture but it is a never ending scenario. I always leave a window slightly open or open the double glazing vent.

I'd imagine cat litter could be used, maybe in pretty containers dotted about.

We use Kontrol Krystals to refill the moisture traps. Very effective. Easily available.

I’ve got some stuff that you add to soil to retain moisture ( it hasn’t stopped raining since I bought them and that was years ago…). I wonder if they would work?

pce612

I bought a large bag of the replacement crystals from, possibly, Lakeland but I’m not sure. Ask Dr Google.

Thanks. Worth knowing, that. I feel really guilty about buying anything single use.

I bought a large bag of the replacement crystals from, possibly, Lakeland but I’m not sure. Ask Dr Google.

Mother in Laws Tongues reduce moisture. Supposedly they were selling them in Lidl ( or Aldi, I always get them mixed up) the other week. I think even I could grow one them without killing it. I bought one for my SIL when he married my daughter and that’s still going strong.

Salt is probably the best moisture remover but is going to cost a lot more than a kitchen or bathroom fan to run, or even open a window for a few minutes, after a shower or cooking. Shut the.bathroom door to keep the moisture out of the rest of the house.

Don’t use caustic soda that will burn you badly.

Charcoal works well, apparently.

Stoker48

Thank you for your replies.
Keepingquiet, my bedroom window is almost permanently open.
There is no window in bathroom.
My house is very small so 2/3 of these little trap containers generally collect moisture.
Just seemed a waste of plastic so hoped I could reuse the plastic pot and make my own.
I read cat litter may work.
I haven’t got a cat so prefer to use stuff I can use elsewhere if it doesn’t work.
Thank you 😊

Hope you get a solution soon. I was told by a damp proof expert that most moisture retention in the home is caused by poor ventilation and breathing!

We have breathe but good ventilation is key- not just windows open but doors too, especially bedroom windows at night. This improves air flow.

As your bathroom has no windows I presume it has a fan? Fans that detect moisture are better than those that just come on with the light.

Also leave your bathroom door open when in the shower if possible.

Yes, air freshener as well, into the bargain.

MissAdventure

I think baking soda (or the other soda) work just as well.

I’ve got some of that. I’ll try that, too. Might put a bit of essential oil in one, too.

I think baking soda (or the other soda) work just as well.

I’m doing the same. I bought lots of those moisture traps last year when I had a mould problem under a dresser and in the piano. As I hate throwing things away I washed them with a view to repurposing them ( eg pot pourri). Currently having a lot of condensation on the old windows that haven’t been replaced so I put one in the kitchen window with cat litter in. I’ll try using salt in another one. I also keep any silica gel that I find included in things that I buy so I’ll use those, too, but have to be careful not to put them where the dog can get to them ( she eats anything and everything). You can buy reusable moisture traps that you put in the microwave to dry out; I might buy some of those, too.

Thank you for your replies.
Keepingquiet, my bedroom window is almost permanently open.
There is no window in bathroom.
My house is very small so 2/3 of these little trap containers generally collect moisture.
Just seemed a waste of plastic so hoped I could reuse the plastic pot and make my own.
I read cat litter may work.
I haven’t got a cat so prefer to use stuff I can use elsewhere if it doesn’t work.
Thank you 😊