In October, as All Saints’ Day approaches, temperatures drop, windows often remain closed, and dampness finds its way even more easily into bathrooms without windows.
As the seasons change, the bathroom becomes a breeding ground for musty odours and stubborn mould. This situation can quickly become a daily nuisance, especially when the room has no windows. However, a few well-chosen steps are all it takes to permanently transform the atmosphere in this essential room, putting an end to damp smells and laundry that never dries. Adopting good habits and focusing on simple, effective solutions makes all the difference. Here’s how to take control of the air in your bathroom, even when winter is knocking at the door.
Put an end to stale air: CMV, dehumidifiers and tips that make all the difference
The lack of windows in a bathroom makes managing indoor air particularly tricky as soon as the cold weather sets in. Installing controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV), or checking that it is working properly, is the first step to take to effectively renew the air and remove stagnant humidity. In addition, an electric dehumidifier works wonders for absorbing excess water in the air, especially after a shower or bath. Today, there are compact, discreet and economical models suitable for small spaces. At the same time, choosing natural and lightly scented household products avoids masking humidity problems instead of solving them. Also remember to leave the light on for a while after use: the heat produced by some LED lights can help to reduce water puddles on surfaces and create an environment that is less conducive to mould growth.
Open, ventilate, dry: smart moves after showering
Simply renewing the air by opening the door immediately after showering lowers the humidity level in a matter of minutes. This doesn’t mean leaving everything wide open in the middle of winter, but rather taking advantage of the temperature difference between the bathroom and the rest of the home to create a temporary draught. Drying all surfaces that come into contact with water (shower walls, tiles, taps) with a squeegee or microfibre cloth limits the spread of mould by removing its preferred breeding ground. Finally, never leave wet laundry in the room: it is better to hang towels in a well-ventilated room, even in winter. These habits, repeated after each use, quickly become automatic and radically transform the atmosphere of your bathroom into a healthy, odour-free space.
Detox plants and ventilation: nature and technology at the service of your bathroom
Surprising to many, certain indoor plants are effective allies against humidity. Spathiphyllum, English ivy, and aloe vera naturally absorb some of the water vapour, while adding an elegant decorative touch. Be careful, however, not to turn your bathroom into a tropical greenhouse: one or two plants are enough in a small space. In addition, a small fan placed on a shelf promotes better air circulation, which is particularly useful in older homes or small urban spaces. The key is to target forgotten corners and areas behind furniture where condensation likes to hide, and to use these natural and technological aids as soon as the bathroom is used.
Towel warmers and linen: the winning combination for permanently banishing humidity
Equipping the bathroom with an electric towel rail is one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make in autumn, especially in French homes without a tumble dryer or outdoor space. As well as warming up the room in a matter of moments, it actively helps to purify the air by preventing damp towels from lying at the bottom of the laundry basket. In addition, avoid drying machine-washed laundry in a windowless bathroom at all costs: this drastically increases the level of humidity in the room and promotes mould growth over time, especially during the heating season. The solution: choose another ventilated room, or arrange for quick drying in the open air on sunny days, even if the temperatures remain cool.
By adopting these different techniques, your windowless bathroom will once again become a welcoming space, free from damp smells and the threat of mould, even when autumn is in full swing. A healthy interior makes you want to take care of yourself and your home, without unnecessary effort or excessive investment. These simple changes, implemented as early as this weekend, can give your bathroom a breath of fresh air for the whole season ahead.
