Don’t you hate this little musty smell you get when you enter your basement? Have you got moisture in the air around you? Well, you probably need DampRid. Just leave it in the humid space and you will easily get rid of the excess moisture from the air.
DampRid (chceck on Amazon) a portfolio fo solutions aims to attract and trap moisture from the air. By reducing the humidity DampRid prevents damage to goods (mainly from the mold) and musty odors which are common in close spaces. The main ingredient is a salt names calcium chloride which is all natural, refillable and disposable.
Its role is to help keep the moisture level below 60 percent.
Why do you need to decrease moisture in the air?
Mold is a harmful fungus that grows into our home from too much moisture. Mold can be easily found in wet areas like bathroom, attics, and basements. They can grow in places like leaking roofs, pipes, windows or walls. By keeping your room with minimum moisture, you will be able to prevent this mold from growing into your rooms.
DampRid can be purchased in fragrance-free or different pleasurable scents to make a room fresh and free from that musty smell. I believe that anyone in a humid-risk area needs to keep it in the basement, closet, laundry room, office, kitchen, garage, storage unit, gym locker or even in the car.
TIP: If you don’t really suffer from the obvious signs it doesn’t mean that you are safe. A humidity gauge is something always handy to have around.
DampRid ingredients:
There is only one simple ingredient used in DampRid. DampRid consists of a non-toxic mineral called calcium chloride which is in the shape of large crystals of salt. It is very similar to rock salt and can be commonly found anywhere. You can use it for melting snow or hard ice and is widely used in products like de-icers. People usually toss this mineral in swimming pools and aquariums in order to balance the chemical level of the water as well. Calcium chloride is also sometimes used in canned food products like tofu or canned vegetables to firm them up. Although the use of this mineral in foods is somewhat debatable, I recommend you not to consume it because it is not safe. The method of calcium chloride is also used by doctors for the treatment of some diseases. The ingredient inside DampRid does not have any bad odor and is safe to use.
The main benefits of it are:
- Replaceable and refillable.
- Disposable
- Highly effective dehumidifier.
Is DampRid toxic?
According to my extensive online research DampRid does not emit any fumes, vapor or gas of any type, so it is not toxic or harmful for the environment. It is an all-natural product and will not provide any irritation.
Even though the mineral used in DampRid is all natural, it should be placed in a position that is out of reach for children and pets. The contents should be avoided to be in contact with eyes or skin and should not be consumed in any case. If in contact with eyes, immediately wash. Remove any contact lenses and thoroughly rinse with cold water. If in contact with skin, wash with soap. In case of continuing irritation, seek medical assistance. If the contents are ingested, seek immediate medical help. However, the manufacturers say that children might put it in their mouths but will not swallow it due to the bad taste.
The product is covered with a tight lid, so it does not permit the calcium chloride to fall out, but to stay cautious, it is best to keep it on an out of reach spot for the kids and pets. Calcium chloride can cause esophagus or burns in the mouth. It can also cause vomiting, stomach ache, low blood pressure, weakness, mental disturbances, irregular heart rate, and even coma if swallowed. It is recommended not to put DampRid on metal or leather surfaces as it can easily damage these materials.
Nothing new here, just be on the guard same way as you do with the rest of the risky semi materials we deal with
DampRid vs. dehumidifier:
Dehumidifier and the DampRid serve different purposes. Yes, they both reduce moisture from the room but all in all, have different functions.
The dehumidifier
Takes out humidity from the rooms that are extremely hot. It sucks out excess moisture depending on the size and quality, but at the same time will cost you more. A dehumidifier will usually cost from $30 to $200 or above according to the brand you purchase. It will also run on electricity which is an added expense. According to a dehumidifier brand called Pingi, an averagely sized dehumidifier will use power that will cost over $150 per year if used for more than 10 hours a day. Dehumidifiers are heavy and often have wheels for comfortable support. They cover up big space and are often noisy. Some usually give out fresh air and can serve as an air conditioner which further lessens the humidity in the room. The also usually come with a humidistat that can be adjusted to the level of moisture in the place.
A bucket of DampRid
Is used for smaller rooms with mildly humid environments. It sucks out the moisture and collects it later to be disposed of. It is disposable and costs around $10 which makes it cheap and easy to use. The DampRid is an entirely natural process of taking out moisture from the environment and is non-toxic as well. It has crystalline calcium chloride that is a great and effective way to remove any moisture in the room. The pouches in the product are refillable or disposable. The product can be hanged or kept anywhere as it does not require a plug or electricity to work. It also does not consume power which saves you the trouble of adding further expense to your bills. This is ideal for closed spaces like closets, storerooms or places where a dehumidifier will probably not fit; you can easily hang or put it. It is also great for nooks or bathrooms where the chances of growth for mold is predictable.
The advantage of using DampRid over a dehumidifier:
Price
The advantage of using this product is that it is disposable. It is twenty times less expensive than a dehumidifier and costs around $10. For small or compact places, this is ideal to use, especially for mildly humid environments. DampRid will not use electricity as compared to a dehumidifier and thus will not make an addition to your electricity bills.
Easy to use
The fact that the DampRid is disposable makes it convenient. You do not have to find a plug to switch it in or clean its moisture bucket. Just take the lid off and put in anywhere you like. After it reaches its full limit throw it away and put a new one.
Versatility
Because the DampRid does not need to be plugged in, this makes the product versatile. You can easily put it in a storage unit, car or truck for use.
To sum up the comparison I would say that if you have one very expensive vintage car in a non-air-conditioned garage you should probably go with the dehumidifier. For the rest of the simple cases, DampRid will most likely do the work
Important tips to remember when using DampRid:
While using it home:
- DampRid is not only for taking out moisture, but it can also be used for preventing foul odors from places like closets, bathrooms, mudrooms, garage, storerooms, etc. Special DampRid products are available that have pleasing scents that help the room stay fresh.
- Moisture and humidity can quickly ruin your things and clothes. The DampRid helps to protect your valuable stuff. It is recommended not to use this product in safe boxes.
- In the case of the high humid environment, the DampRid will need to be replaced more often.
- When the bucket is full, pour the contents out and refill with new crystalline calcium chloride pouches or refillable packets.
- The product does not absorb liquid as it is, it absorbs moisture from the air.
- If any of your product is wet, like cellophane or other electronic product, you can put the product inside the DampRid and close its lid tight. It will absorb all moisture from the product
On the boat:
- You will have to replace the DampRid buckets more often on a boat because of high humidity and moisture levels. Obviously, it cannot be used for absorbing water, only for moisture absorption from the air.
For RV and campers:
- Whether if the RV is on the road or in storage, DampRid can be a useful product to keep it protected from moisture damage.
- You can put it anywhere, the kitchen, bathroom, living room or anywhere else. These are the immediate suspects to get damaged or molds due to high levels of humidity.
- It is essential to keep the bucket of DampRid in a place where it would not tip or fall. So that the absorbed moisture does not fall out or in case of leakage it does not spill all over.
In the car:
- The DampRid prevents any moisture or odor collecting in your vehicle. Just place it under the seat of your car and let it work as a moisture absorber or solely for odor prevention.
- It is even more effective when all windows and the sunroof is closed. You can keep it even when your car is not in use.
- When kept under the seat, your car will be more fresh and scented from the inside.