Quick answer: the goal is indoor humidity below 60%, and ideally 30% to 50%, which is the EPA’s guidance for preventing mold [1]. In a damp Washington house, an ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifier sized to the space, plus a cheap hygrometer to confirm it’s working, gets most homes there. For a crawl space, use a unit built for one. All three dehumidifiers below are on the federal ENERGY STAR certified list [3].
At a glance
- Indoor humidity target
- Below 60%, ideally 30% to 50% [1]
- Dry water damage within
- 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold [1]
- Small mold area you can clean yourself
- Under about 10 sq ft, a 3-by-3-foot patch [2]
- Renter or landlord?
- Generally, landlord fixes leaks; renter reduces condensation [2]
- Washington DOH environmental health line
- 360-236-3090 [2]
What Washington’s Department of Health says
The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) says most molds don’t harm healthy people, but people with allergies or asthma can be more sensitive, and people with weakened immune systems or lung disease face a higher risk [2]. It lists high humidity, leaks and flooding as the conditions that let mold grow, and recommends drying out the house, increasing airflow, using exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms, and wiping up window condensation right away [2].
Renters: DOH says that, generally, fixing leaks is the landlord’s job and reducing condensation is the renter’s [2]. A dehumidifier is one of the main tools a renter has for the condensation side.
Cleanup: DOH defines a small mold area as less than about 10 square feet. Larger areas, hidden mold, or mold from sewage call for a professional [2]. The EPA uses the same 10-square-foot line [1].
How we chose
- ENERGY STAR certified. Every dehumidifier below is on the federal ENERGY STAR certified list, which reports capacity measured under the Department of Energy’s test, in pints per day [3].
- Sized to the space. One unit for a main living area, two built for basements and crawl spaces, which are common sources of damp air in Northwest homes.
- Continuous drainage. Each can drain by hose or pump, so it can run all winter without emptying a bucket.
- Recall history checked. We searched the Consumer Product Safety Commission recall database for each brand on November 2, 2026 [8].
Our picks
Best for: Main floors and finished basements
Midea 50 pt. Cube Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump (MAD50PS1QWT-A)
It has a built-in pump that sends water out a window or into a sink, so it can run continuously, and it's ENERGY STAR certified.
- 49.67 pints/day under the DOE test; 515 kWh/year [3]
- Built-in pump for continuous drainage [4]
- Maker rates it for spaces up to 4,500 sq ft [4]
- 14.45 x 14.76 x 14.57 in.; 41.5 lb [4]
Safety check: ENERGY STAR certified [3]. Midea's 2016 dehumidifier recall covered units sold from 2003 through 2013, not this model, which was certified in 2025 [3][8].
Watch out: At over 41 pounds it's heavy to carry up and down stairs, and Midea's page doesn't state the warranty length [4].
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Unfinished basements and crawl spaces
AlorAir Sentinel HD55S
It's built for crawl spaces and basements, with gravity drainage and a long warranty, and it's on the ENERGY STAR certified list.
- 36.33 pints/day under the DOE test; 379 kWh/year [3]
- Maker rating: 55 pints/day (AHAM), 120 pints/day at saturation [5]
- Covers about 1,300 sq ft, per the maker [5]
- Gravity drainage [5]
- 6-year limited warranty, first 2 years full coverage [5]
Safety check: ENERGY STAR certified [3]. No CPSC recall found for AlorAir (checked 2026-11-02) [8].
Watch out: It drains by gravity only, so it needs a floor drain or a spot lower than the unit. If you have neither, look at a pump model.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Smaller crawl spaces with tight access
AlorAir Helios D35 Crawlspace Dehumidifier
It's the most energy-efficient model here: it meets ENERGY STAR's Most Efficient criteria, and it's compact enough for a low crawl space.
- 24 pints/day under the DOE test; 274 kWh/year [3]
- Meets ENERGY STAR Most Efficient criteria [3]
- 70 pints/day at saturation; sized for about 1,000 sq ft, per the maker [6]
- 16.4 x 11.25 x 10.76 in. [6]
Safety check: ENERGY STAR certified [3]. No CPSC recall found for AlorAir (checked 2026-11-02) [8].
Watch out: AlorAir's page doesn't list the drainage method or weight for this model; confirm both before you plan the install.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Checking that the dehumidifier is actually working
ThermoPro TP50 (TempAir CORE) Indoor Hygrometer
The EPA notes a basic hygrometer is an inexpensive way to measure indoor humidity [1]. This one shows a dry, comfortable or wet indicator, so you can see at a glance whether a room is over the target.
- Humidity 10% to 99%; ±2% from 30% to 80% [7]
- Updates every 10 seconds [7]
- One AAA battery [7]
- About 3.1 x 2.6 x 1 in. [7]
Safety check: Battery-powered. No CPSC recall found for ThermoPro (checked 2026-11-02) [8].
Watch out: The maker's spec sheet says it has no backlight, even though some listings call it backlit [7].
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Buying guide
- Measure first. Put a hygrometer in the room for a few days. If it reads over 60%, you need more drying [1].
- Fix water sources too. A dehumidifier won’t keep up with a leak. Exhaust fans and quick condensation cleanup are part of the plan [2].
- Compare the ENERGY STAR capacity. The pints per day on the ENERGY STAR list are measured the same way for every model. Makers’ own figures can be much higher: AlorAir rates the HD55S at 55 pints (AHAM) and 120 pints (saturation), versus 36.33 on the ENERGY STAR list [3][5].
- Plan the drain. A pump or gravity hose saves daily bucket trips.
- Watch the yearly energy use. The ENERGY STAR list shows estimated kilowatt-hours per year for each model [3].
Sources
- U.S. EPA: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home
- Washington State Department of Health: Mold
- ENERGY STAR: Certified Dehumidifiers (data set)
- Midea: 50 pt. Cube Dehumidifier with Built-in Pump
- AlorAir: Sentinel HD55S
- AlorAir: Helios D35 Crawlspace Dehumidifier
- ThermoPro (TempPro): TP50 Indoor Hygrometer
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls (searched November 2, 2026)
Common questions
What humidity should I keep my Washington home at?
The EPA recommends keeping indoor relative humidity below 60%, ideally between 30% and 50%. A basic hygrometer is the easiest way to check.
Who fixes mold in a Washington rental?
The Washington State Department of Health says that, generally, fixing leaks is the landlord's responsibility and reducing condensation is the renter's. Its environmental health line is 360-236-3090, and your county health department can also help.
Can I clean up mold myself?
For a small area, yes. Washington's Department of Health defines small as less than about 10 square feet, roughly a 3-by-3-foot patch. For larger areas, hidden mold or sewage contamination, it recommends a professional.