Common situation
Bushfire smoke outside and a damp house: what to do first
Smoke outside means keeping windows shut, which is exactly what a damp house doesn't want. Deal with the smoke first and keep moisture down inside until the air clears.
What it usually points to
Smoky outdoor air is the most pressing problem today. Damp clothes or bedding point to moist air or a damp storage spot. Without a humidity reading we can't tell how damp the whole home is.
What to check and try first
- Keep windows closed while the smoke lasts. If you have a purifier with a true HEPA filter, run it in the room you spend most time in with the door shut. Set a split or ducted air conditioner to recirculate, and turn off an evaporative cooler, which pulls outdoor air in.
- Check where the damp things were kept: against an outside wall, in a closed cupboard, or near the bathroom.
These steps assume only: outdoor smoke or poor outdoor air right now; condensation on windows in the morning; clothes, bedding or shoes feel damp. Your home may be different. Add what else is going on and you'll get steps for your situation.
Check my home with these answers
What would change this
Once the air clears, go back to short morning airing. If condensation spreads to most windows or spots appear, run this again.
Read next
- Indoor humidity: what the number tells you
- How to read a dehumidifier's litres per day
- How to read an air purifier's CADR and room size