How to make a DIY dehumidifier?

How to Make a Simple DIY Dehumidifier

High humidity at home can lead to musty smells, damp walls, and even mold—especially in basements or bathrooms. While store-bought dehumidifiers work well, there's a surprisingly effective and low-cost alternative you can make yourself using just a few basic supplies.

All you need is two buckets—one slightly smaller than the other—and some ordinary table salt. Start by drilling or poking a few small holes in the bottom of the smaller bucket. Place this bucket inside the larger one, forming a kind of nested system. Then, fill the top bucket with salt. That’s it—your DIY dehumidifier is ready to go.

Salt is naturally hygroscopic, meaning it attracts and absorbs moisture from the air. As humidity levels rise in the room, the salt pulls water vapor from the air, dissolves slightly, and the resulting brine drips down through the holes into the bottom bucket. Over time, you'll notice liquid collecting below—this is the captured moisture.

To keep it working efficiently, check the system every few days and empty the collected water from the lower bucket. Replenish the salt as needed, especially if it dissolves completely. While this homemade version won’t replace a high-capacity electric dehumidifier in very damp spaces, it’s an excellent stopgap for small, enclosed areas like closets, storage rooms, or laundry spaces.

It’s a simple, science-backed trick that’s both practical and incredibly low maintenance. Plus, it costs just a fraction of commercial models. Give it a try—your walls (and nose) might just thank you.