The RV owner is in a perpetual battle against condensation. As you spend time in your RV engaging in various activities, you add more moisture to the air. This becomes fuel for mold and mildew. Breathing these in can cause irritation, especially for those with asthma or allergies. Long-term exposure can be incredibly damaging to your health (even possibly causing cancer). Beyond the negative health effects, they can also damage RVs by corroding metallic parts or causing wooden parts to rot.
There are strategies you can use to prevent or remove condensation in RVs. Here at Airstream of Montana, we enjoy empowering owners of Airstream RVs to live their best RV lifestyle.
We gathered up some tips and tricks for fighting humidity below. Remember you can always stop by our RV dealer location in Missoula, Montana for more advice and to pick up supplies.
Humidity Culprits
Humidity comes from many places. Boiling water as you cook, cleaning, showering, even breathing all add moisture to the air. Airstream RVs do need some wetness in the air to feel comfortable (around 30 – 50%). But any higher becomes a great environment for mold or mildew to grow. Because your normal activities in your RV generate moisture in the air, you will need to proactively fight humidity.
Preventing Humidity
Part of your action plan should be prevention. As you engage in humidity increasing activities, take steps necessary to cut the impact. Use vents as you shower or cook. Cover pots and pans as much as possible to prevent steam from making your air wetter. Leave wet clothes outside to dry (since the water in the clothes would just enter the water in the air). If you are in a humid environment, know that a small leak in your roof can bring lots of moisture inside. Check your roof often and use sealants to prevent leaks.
Reducing Moisture in the Air
Prevention can only go so far. You will also need to reduce moisture once it’s already in the air. A dehumidifier can be a great defense against humidity. This device takes moisture from the air into itself which you can easily dump out. These are usually pretty affordable too. Larger Airstream RVs or ones more prone to moisture (like those in high humidity areas) may benefit from a larger one or a few smaller ones. Keep in mind they do draw lots of electricity, which can be frustrating if you are at a location where you need to pay for what you use.
Moisture Removal Without Power
What do you do if you don’t have access to power or are trying to avoid using power? Then a dehumidifier isn’t a great option. You’ve got a few things you can try. Open a window, which brings dry air from the outside into your RV. It’s simple but effective. Use cross drafts to your advantage by opening vents on opposite sides of the RV. Try to always do this when you are showering or cooking.
Another thing to try is desiccant crystals. A desiccant is something that adds dryness to its surrounding area (you’ve probably seen desiccant packets in some food packets like beef jerky). Desiccant crystals draw moisture from the air out. You can place one or a few throughout your RV.
Try out these tactics on your next adventure. If you need any supplies or maintenance done before you hit the road next, stop by our RV dealer location. At Airstream of Montana, we serve those in the Missoula, Bozeman, and Kalispell, Montana area. Choose an RV dealer passionate about RVs to meet all your traveling needs!
