It’s never a good thing to have a presence of mold in your house.
At best, mold will make your house smell weird and musty; at worst, mold can cause allergic reactions or respiratory issues in anyone who happens to breathe in mold spores.
There are many ways to deal with a mold problem in your home. But in this article, we’ll be taking a look at air purifiers or dehumidifiers for mold.
Both of these devices can potentially be used to deal with a mold issue, although you may be wondering which one is better overall for this task.
If you’re interested in learning about the differences between air purifiers and dehumidifiers and which one is better for dealing with mold, then read on.
Air Purifier Or Dehumidifier For Mold Comparison
| Air Purifiers | Dehumidifiers | |
|---|---|---|
Purpose | Filters the air and traps dust, smoke particles, and allergens like pollen or spores | Reduces the moisture levels in the surrounding air |
Function | Removes mold spores from the air before they can be inhaled | Eliminates the conditions that allow mold and mildew to grow |
Humidity Level | Can be used in any humidity level | Only effective when humidity is above 50% |
Let’s Take A Closer Look At These Two Machines
We know the basics of how these two devices work, but let’s take more of an in-depth look at each of them and how they can be used to deal with mold.
We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each type of device and explain the differences and similarities between both.
Will An Air Purifier Help With Mold?
Recent research shows that air purifiers can help decrease the number of mold spores in the air, but they can’t actually eliminate mold itself.
This is because mold will grow wherever there’s enough moisture, and air purifiers don’t solve the issue of excessive moisture.
Air Purifier Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Air purifiers can trap particles like spores and pollen that cause allergies and prevent them from being inhaled
- Air purifiers can trap particles from pet urine and dander, which helps eliminate unwanted odors
- Air purifiers don’t require as much regular maintenance as dehumidifiers do
Cons:
- Some older air purifiers generate ozone when running, which can worsen symptoms of asthma
Do Dehumidifiers Get Rid Of Mold?
Dehumidifiers don’t get rid of the mold itself, but they do eliminate the conditions in which mold tends to grow.
Mold grows in humid environments, and it tends to thrive in temperatures between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit, which is usually the temperature range that most people keep their homes in.
By removing excess moisture from the air, the mold won’t have the moisture it needs to grow and will be unable to spread.
Will Dehumidifiers Kill Mold?
Unfortunately, dehumidifiers don’t kill mold. While mold will be unable to grow without a consistent source of moisture, it won’t actually die; instead, the mold will enter a dormant state where it won’t spread but still remain alive.
In short, the only way to actually kill mold is to physically remove it from whatever surface it’s on.
Dehumidifier Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air, which can help deal with mold populations as well as dust mites
- By removing humidity from the air, dehumidifiers can make an interior space a lot more comfortable to be in, particularly in places where the summers get really humid
Cons:
- Dehumidifiers can be pretty noisy, so if you’re planning on having one in your bedroom or family room, you’ll want to use one that is designed to be quiet
- A dehumidifier can generate a lot of heat, so you’ll need to provide ventilation for it if you’re using one during the summer
- Dehumidifiers need to be maintained frequently; a dehumidifier contains a water storage tank where excess moisture is collected, and depending on the conditions you’re using it in, you may need to empty this tank daily
Differences Between An Air Purifier Vs. Dehumidifier For Mold
As we’ve established, air purifiers and dehumidifiers are completely different in terms of their intended purpose and their function.
As such, you can’t really compare the differences between these two devices in any meaningful way; it would be like, say, comparing the differences between a lawn sprinkler and a push mower.
Check out this Related Post: Best Air Purifier For Growing Mushrooms
Similarities Between An Air Purifier And A Dehumidifier
Aside from the fact that both of these devices are used to alter the air quality in an enclosed area, there aren’t really that many similarities between the two.
You can find cheap and expensive versions of both types of devices, and you can find both types of devices at hardware and home appliance stores, but otherwise, these devices don’t really share any similar characteristics.
FAQ
Now, let’s address some of the general questions you might have about using air purifiers and dehumidifiers, and about the conditions in which mold tends to grow.
Will Mold Die If It Dries Out?
As we mentioned previously, mold will not die even if it is completely dried out. If the moisture levels in the environment get too low, the mold will become inactive, but it won’t actually die.
Dried-out mold can still release spores, although the spores won’t grow until the environmental conditions are right for it.
Unless you completely remove all mold from your home, there will always be a chance that a dormant population of mold will start growing again.
In What Level of Humidity Does Mold Grow?
Mold tends to grow when the humidity levels in an enclosed area are above 55% or so.
If you think the humidity level in your house might be a bit too high, look at the windows; if there’s moisture on the inside, it’s a sign that the humidity is probably a bit too high.
A dehumidifier can deal with excess humidity, of course, but you can also solve this problem by making sure your home is properly ventilated.
Can I Use an Air Purifier With a Dehumidifier?
You can absolutely use an air purifier and a dehumidifier at the same time, and if you’re trying to deal with a mold problem, it might actually be better to use both devices.
This will allow you to deal with the problem on two fronts; the air purifier will remove spores from the air, preventing them from spreading to other parts of the house.
And the dehumidifier will remove moisture from the air, preventing mold from growing further where it has already established itself.
Verdict- Which One Is Better
Overall, dehumidifiers are better for eliminating mold from a home, since by drying out the surrounding air, they remove the conditions in which mold and mildew can successfully grow to begin with.
In contrast, air purifiers can remove harmful spores from the air, but don’t actually deal with the source of the mold itself.
However, if you want to eliminate mold from your home as quickly as possible, you might want to try using both devices simultaneously.
Summary- Which Is Better For Mold?
While dehumidifiers may be slightly better for dealing with mold by getting rid of the humidity it needs to grow, air purifiers are also useful for preventing allergic reactions to mold spores.
All in all, these two devices are both good to use if you have a mold problem at home.
If you’re looking to get rid of mold as quickly as possible, however, we’d definitely recommend using both devices at once.
There are tons of different air purifiers and dehumidifiers out there in a whole range of prices, so no matter what your situation or budget is, you should have no problem finding at least one of these devices that suits your needs.
I hope this article helped you decide between an air purifier and a dehumidifier for mold. If you did, please check out our other helpful post located in our blog section.
Looking For Air Purifier Guides?
If you’re looking for more air purifier resources, consider checking out our other posts on air purifiers.
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- 5 Best Air Purifiers For Asbestos Review
- 5 Best Air Purifiers For Kitchen Odors ( 2021 Review)
- 5 Best Air Purifiers For Chemical Sensitivity (MCS Review)
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