IT IS MUSTY INSIDE!!

08.27.09

This summer has 'seen' more rain and more humidity than I can remember. On many days, it seems like we have 'liquid' air it is so bad.

If you are as unlucky as I am, you don't have central, or window AC to dry out your indoor air; therefore indoors, it is about as bad inside the home as it is outside. While fans can make it very tolerable, they do not remove the humidity that is permeating the interiors of many area homes. The humidity index in my house is hovering between 75 and 85% so it is likely many of you are enduring a similar condition.

This 'heavy' air makes a great environment for must and mildew, and there is a lot of it (the latter) appearing on interior walls and shoes, making for some uncomfortable air quality problems. Also, all the moisture in the air permeates sofas, armchairs, and bedding and it can seem like everything is damp, which it actually is. For allergy sufferers, it couldn't be worse!

Dehumidifiers could, and do, help but they put out heat which is counter to what all of us want in this (especially) hot August; therefore we don't run them.

Not much can really be done without the benefit of some kind of air-conditioning system while the outside air remains as humid as it is. Keeping ahead of the mildew is probably the greatest task you may face. It will 'grow' where you can't see it: usually in closets and on walls or in shoes. Until the humidity subsides, all 'we' can do is sweat it out!

© 2009 R. Leech features.