Problem Overflow

Smoke, smells and damp getting into your apartment, and how renters stop them.

Damp & musty

A bathroom with no window and a weak fan

Easy · About 20 minutes

Where I am
Mirrors fog for an hour and the room smells damp.
Where I want to be
A bathroom that dries out fast.
What's in the way
Steam has nowhere to go.

Landlord's job? Report it in writing with dates, and keep a log. Who fixes what depends on your lease and where you live.

Try this first, free: Hold a square of toilet paper up to the fan cover. If it doesn't stick, the fan is weak or blocked.

The fix

  1. Wipe dust off the fan cover with a cloth. Don't take the fan apart.
  2. Run the fan during your shower and for 20 minutes after.
  3. Leave the door open afterward, and use a squeegee on the walls and glass.
  4. Add a small dehumidifier or a moisture absorber if the room stays damp.

What this won't fully fix: A squeegee and an open door help a lot, but a weak fan is a building repair.

Safety first: Don't take the fan apart. If it's noisy, dead or very weak, tell the landlord.

What to get

These open an Amazon search, so you can pick the one that fits. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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