Common situations

Start from the one closest to yours. Each page shows what to check first, and lets you add what else is going on.

• Condensation on the windows every morning: what to check firstWater on several windows most mornings usually means moist air meeting cold glass. What to check and try first, before buying a dehumidifier.
• Musty smell in the wardrobe: what to check firstA wardrobe that smells musty, especially against an outside wall, often has a cold, damp back wall. What to check before buying anything.
• Bathroom mould that keeps coming back after cleaningMould that returns within weeks of cleaning means something keeps that surface wet. What to do first, and when it's a repair rather than a cleaning job.
• Drying clothes indoors in winter without a damp houseDrying washing inside puts a lot of water into the air. How to do it without fogged windows and damp bedding, and when a dehumidifier is worth it.
• Sneezing and dust at home: what to try before an air purifierDust on every surface, sneezing and itchy eyes point to things in the air: dust, pollen or pet dander. What to try first, and when a purifier is worth it.
• A gas heater and a stuffy room: check this firstIf a gas or other fuel-burning heater is used in a room that feels stuffy, start with the heater, not a purifier. What to check and when to act fast.
• Bushfire smoke outside and a damp house: what to do firstWhen smoke means keeping the windows shut but the house is already damp, here's what to do first and what to leave until the air clears.