I’m obsessed with the opposite of a cold plunge: the screaming-hot shower. But this habit is terrible for both my skin and the environment, and it’s not good for my home either. My bathroom is becoming a sauna, my little fan can’t keep up, and the walls look like I’m washing them to them. Damp environments encourage the growth of mold, mildew, and fungus, among other nightmares, so something has to change. I’m aware of the obvious solution, but since I haven’t been able to kick this particular habit yet, I was delighted to scroll through a video of an affordable dollar find that solves my problem.
Mary Futher, founder of Kaia Naturals and the personality behind the popular Instagram account @madamesweat, explains in this Instagram Reel that all you need to solve a “small space moisture problem” is an affordable moisture eliminator to your local dollar store (like Dollar Tree!). The plastic tank includes moisture-absorbing beads in the upper part and an empty tank below to collect the water. The beads absorb water from the air and release it into the tank below, so you can see it working. “Keep that wet and damp area as dry as possible,” says Futher.
Futher goes a step further with a plastic container reuse hack, which alleviates some (but not all) of my concerns about using hot water. Moisture absorbers generally last 60 days (I’d give them a month in my bathroom), but Futher says you can buy replacement beads instead of buying another plastic container. Remove the cover and tear off the filter, discard the used beads and replace them with new ones. According to Futher, the filter is unnecessary and the new beads will work fine without it.
It sounds too good to be true, but commenters confirm that moisture absorbers actually work, in all kinds of places. “My grandma has one in her spice cabinet to keep the spices dry and unwieldy,” says Preston (@mightyleo88). Rosie Gibbons comments, “I have these in a mesh bag in my daughter’s car.” They also work well in laundry rooms, small bathrooms, closets or RVs.
If you don’t live near a dollar store or prefer to shop online, DampRid is a similar product, made with calcium chloride. These Dry & Dry Moisture Absorber filler beads are also made from calcium chloride and are fragrance free.
Of course, this solution is not for everyone. If you’re not interested in replacing the beads, consider a small dehumidifier. I own and love this one from Amazon. But if you’re looking for a budget win, moisture wicking beads are amazing. “At just $1.25, you’re definitely getting your money’s worth,” says Futher.