Using a dehumidifier to make paint dry might seem clever, but experts warn it could ruin your paint finish and damage your appliance in the process.
(Image credit: Sally Anscombe on Getty Images)
Picture this scene: it’s the end of a long day painting and you’re desperate to get the room finished. You’ve already cracked the windows open but the paint still feels tacky to the touch – so you reach for a dehumidifier to help speed things along. Sounds like a clever fix, right? Well, no. Not quite.
While it’s tempting to use a dehumidifier to make paint dry faster, experts warn that this shortcut could do more harm than good, and not just to your walls. From cracked paint finishes to uneven drying, this seemingly harmless shortcut can actually derail your decorating efforts. In some cases, it might even cause unnecessary strain on your appliance.
Below, we explain why a dehumidifier isn’t the best choice for drying paint, and share the simple steps that will get you better results.
Why you shouldn't use a dehumidifier to make paint dry
“While it may be tempting to think a dehumidifier can speed up paint drying times, this DIY trick can cause more harm than good,” cautions Katie Lilywhite, air treatment expert at AO.com. “Paint needs a little humidity to settle properly, and if you pull too much moisture from the air, this can lead to your paint peeling or cracking ahead of time.”
Chris Michaels, director at Meaco,agrees, explaining: “Using a dehumidifier to dry paint too early can cause the surface to dry faster than the layers underneath, leading to an uneven finish or cracks.”
What’s more, when you place a dehumidifier in a freshly painted room, it ends up working far harder than it should. All the lingering moisture from the wet paint can throw things off balance and force the machine to run constantly without much payoff. Over time, this kind of strain can wear out the internal mechanisms faster than you'd expect.
So, rather than speeding things up, you could actually be setting yourself up for an uneven paint finish, or a decorating job you’ll need to redo much sooner than planned.
Katie Lilywhite
Katie is one of the many experts at AO.com, covering a multitude of appliances including air quality products, health and beauty and homes and gardens.
Chris Michael
Chris and his partner Michelle started Meaco in 1991. Meaco is now regarded internationally as a major player in the dehumidifier industry selling to 20+ countries throughout Europe, North America and South Africa.
What should you do instead?
When waiting for paint to dry, sometimes the best method is a exercising a little patience. (Image credit: Teresa Conway)
So, if a dehumidifier isn’t the answer, what is the best way to help paint dry properly, especially in a space that’s cold, damp, or poorly ventilated? The simplest solutions are often the most effective. Instead of trying to force the process, focus on creating steady, natural ventilation and airflow. That means opening windows where possible, propping open internal doors, and using a fan to keep air moving in the room. Just avoid cranking up the heat, which can be just as damaging as over-drying the air.
“Paint needs to dry at a steady rate," explains Chris Michael. "So for the best results, follow the manufacturer’s drying times and ventilate the room with natural airflow or an air circulator fan.”
"A dehumidifier is great for laundry and damp control, but not for speeding up paint drying," Chris adds. The key is patience and trusting the product to do its job. Manufacturers test different types of paint to dry in typical conditions, so sticking to their guidance will give you the best finish. Trying to rush the process can result in exactly the issues you want to avoid, from visible brush strokes to paint bubbling.
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Gabriella is an interiors journalist and has a wealth of experience creating interiors and renovation content. She was Homebuilding & Renovating's former Assistant Editor as well as the former Head of Solved at sister brand Homes & Gardens, where she wrote and edited content addressing key renovation, DIY and interior questions.
She’s spent the past decade crafting copy for interiors publications, award-winning architects, and leading UK homeware brands. She also served as the Content Manager for the ethical homeware brand Nkuku.
Gabriella is a DIY enthusiast and a lover of all things interior design. She has a particular passion for historic buildings and listed properties, and she is currently in the process of renovating a Grade II-listed Victorian coach house in the West Country.
