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Dehumidifiers are the only way to tackle Hong Kong’s high humidity. We round up the best models to invest in, along with boxes, sachets and other home hacks to keep your house mould-free!
Returning to Hong Kong after your summer break? You may be in for an unpleasant house guest! Often when we are away, we come back to find mould on the walls, and on our precious leather bags, ruining our clothes, sofas and more! Other than ruining the materials they affect, mould and mould spores are harmful allergens that can cause respiratory problems in children and adults. So, we’ve done the legwork to find you the best dehumidifiers in the city.
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What To Consider Before Buying A Dehumidifier In Hong Kong
1. Volume and water tank capacity of the dehumidifier
The volume indicates how much water it can absorb through the day (usually 15l to 25l) and the water tank capacity gives an idea of how often it will need to be drained. Naturally, a larger volume dehumidifier is more powerful, with more water-absorbing capability and a bigger water tank means it can run for a longer time before it fills up completely. Use the water collected to water your plants, wash your car (yes, it’s often quite a lot of water through the day!) and clean balconies and outdoor spaces.
2. Cost of the dehumidifier
If you’re new to Hong Kong and its humidity, you may not have factored in this expense and might resist buying a dehumidifier. However, it’s a valuable investment and usually lasts for up to five years or more. Remember that most Hong Kong homes have two or more dehumidifiers but because they are rarely needed in other countries, many sell their used dehumidifiers for heavily reduced prices on online markets. They are also easy to dispose of, if you are relocating yourself.
3. Where you will be using the dehumidifier
It’s a good idea to use the dehumidifier in each room for a bit and open up the cupboards so it can absorb the moisture in the air around your clothes, bags, etc. If you don’t have a dryer for your clothes, you may need to use the dehumidifier to dry clothes as well, so look for one with a laundry function.
4. Is a humidifier or dehumidifier better for homes with children?
Mums may wonder if dehumidifiers are too drying for our kids’ delicate skin. It’s best not to run the dehumidifier through the night or close to kids when they are napping. When your child has a cold, a humidifier close to a child’s bed can help add moisture to dry air that will allow your baby to breathe easier by reducing sinus inflammation. Even the relatively cheap humidifying machines from Japan Home or your local pharmacy will do the job. Dehumidifiers are more long-term investment in Hong Kong, will be used almost every day and work to dry excessively moist environments where dust mites and mould thrive, to keep allergens away.
5. Air purifier or dehumidifier
Given Hong Kong’s air quality, it’s not uncommon to want to invest in an air purifier, especially if you have young children or those who suffers from asthma or allergies. The good news is that Hong Kong has options for dehumidifiers/air purifiers which work really well (personally tested by the Sassy Mama team).
Read More: How To Improve Air Quality In Your Hong Kong Home
So now that you know what to consider, here’s our pick of the best dehumidifiers in Hong Kong. Do note that prices mentioned are from online stores and often include discounts of up to 20%.
De’longhi Tasciugo AriaDry Dehumidifier
De’longhi electronic appliances are usually good, and its range of dehumidifiers is no different. This particular model of dehumidifier is widely available, comes with a 1-year full warranty and five years on the compressor. It can remove up to 25 litres of excess moisture per day from the air.
De’longhi DDSX23 Tasciugo AriaDry Dehumidifier Cost: From $2,580, available at Fortress, Yoho and HKTV Mall
Carrier 2-in-1 Air Purifying inverter Dehumidifier
Carrier dehumidifiers are built to tackle Hong Kong’s humidity and you can safely choose almost any of them for your home. This one comes well-reviewed for its air-purifying and dehumidifying powers.
Carrier DC-22VSB 22L 2-in-1 Air Purifying inverter Dehumidifier Cost: From $2,760, available at Fortress, Yoho and HKTV Mall
Mitsubishi Dehumidifier
This is another dehumidifier with an independent air-purifying function and a silver ion filter can trap pollen and dust particles. It can also be used to dry clothes overnight. When on Intelligent Laundry mode, the dehumidifier controls the airflow rate while monitoring humidity of the room, estimates when the clothes will dry and stops operation automatically. The machine also has a drying inside function, making it impossible for mildew to grow inside the dehumidifier.
Mitsubishi MJ-E100AR-H Dehumidifier Cost: From $3,900, available at Fortress, Yoho and HKTV Mall
Philips 2-in-1 Air Dehumidifier
This powerful dehumidifier comes equipped with a HEPA filter. Other than working efficiently and quickly as a dehumidifier, it also eliminates odours, bacteria and pollutants. It has five fan speeds and automatic settings and is effective for rooms up to 104 m2.
Philips DE5205/39 25L 2-in-1 Air Dehumidifier Cost: From $3,438 available at Fortress and Yoho
Panasonic Super Alleru-buster Dehumidifier
These Panasonic dehumidifiers come with different volumes , but we like this 16-litre variant. Its super Alleru-buster filter inactivates allergens, bacteria and mould and banishes bad smells in your home. You can opt for a drainage pipe and have continuous drainage up to 24 hours.
Panasonic – F-YCL16H-“ECONAVI” Super Alleru-buster Dehumidifier Cost: From $4,080, available on HKTV Mall and the manufacturer’s website
Whirlpool Puri-Pro Dehumidpurifier
As the name indicates, this is a dehumidifier cum purifier. The manufacturer claims that its drying performance is up to 23% faster than similar products in the market, but we can’t vouch for this ourselves!
Whirlpool Puri-Pro Dehumidpurifier DS241HW Cost: From $3,139, available at Yoho and in retail stores
LG 28L Inverter Smart Dehumidifier with Ionizer
This dehumidifier has a pretty impressive compressor, making it quiet and effective, while saving energy. It’s also extremely durable and the company offers a 10-year warranty on the compressor. At 28 litres, it’s one of the most powerful dehumidifiers in the market.
LGMD16GQSA1 28L Inverter Smart Dehumidifier with Ionizer Cost: From $3,580, available at Fortress and on the manufacturer’s website
Xiaomi 20L Smart Dehumidifier
This smart device can be operated via the Mi mobile app. It allows for remote dehumidifying and has a timer for a delayed start or extended finish.
Xiaomi 20L Smart Dehumidifier Cost: From $1,799, available at Fortress and HKTV Mall
Dehumidifying Boxes, Sachets & Home Hacks To Tackle Hong Kong Humidity
Nothing works quite like a dehumidifier but sometimes we may not have the space for another appliance. If that’s the case, we have some other tips that could help you reduce the humidity in your home.
- Use the Dry or Dehumidify function on your split AC: An air-conditioner also works well to suck out moisture and you can run that occasionally in large rooms to reduce overall moisture levels.
- Buy dehumidifying boxes or bags: We try not to use these too often because of the plastic waste, though there are also reusable options available on Etsy. We’ve also found that some of the moisture absorbing products on Amazon work better than what’s available locally.
- Regularly look out for signs of mould or mildew in your home. You’ll find these in bathrooms, on floor grouting and furniture like sofas. What’s even more worrying is that mould often appears on sipper bottles, straws, etc. There are plenty of natural cleaning materials, such as vinegar and water sprays that can help you fight mould.
- If you aren’t able to get the mould off your walls, consider calling in the professionals. Painters will thoroughly scrape off the mould and use layers of primer and mould-resistant paint to clean up your walls.
- A lot of expats swear by heat rods that fit into your wardrobe. These are available at Wing On and stay continuously plugged in in your cupboard and keep your clothes toasty enough to prevent mould from taking over.
- It might sound counter-intuitive but open up your windows every now and then. Proper ventilation will prevent moisture from accumulating in your home. Also, use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom to expel humid air outside.
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