Car dehumidifier bags have been widely used as a dehumidification solution for some time now, but are they really the best option out there?
Any car enthusiast will do what they can to preserve and maintain the integrity of their vehicle, which often equates to a lot of time spent working on the car. 79% of enthusiasts carry out their own automotive repairs and 67% claim they would take on a difficult repair by themselves, indicating that levels of knowledge and capability are high. With that said, it’s easy to assume that the most work goes into a car when someone is there cleaning it or tinkering with its motor, but what many people don’t consider is what’s happening to the car while it just sits there. Humidity build-up is a significant issue that continually takes effect on your car, wherever it sits. Unlike a problem with the motor, where something needs to be repaired or replaced, damage from humidity will creep up on you, so prevention should be the priority because repair can be costly.
Relative humidity
Relative humidity (RH) can cause damage to a car. Initially, it will cause aesthetic damage, but that can then lead to electrical damage further down the line.
But what is it?
“It’s the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapour to the equilibrium vapour pressure of water at a given temperature. Relative humidity depends on temperature and the pressure of the system of interest. The same amount of water vapour results in higher relative humidity in cool air than warm air.”
Because we experience colder temperatures in the UK, we have an average relative humidity of 80%, making it one of the highest RHs around the globe. This is problematic for car owners and enthusiasts alike because steel starts to corrode when the relative humidity reaches 55%.
But not only is it the exterior you need to worry about. Mould growth starts at 60%RH, so interiors are at risk. For car enthusiasts especially, if there’s a leather interior to protect, humidity can pose one of the biggest barriers to properly taking care of your car.
The problem with car dehumidifier bags
It’s only natural that once informed about the adverse impacts of a high RH, car owners and enthusiasts will want to find a cost-effective and efficient solution that works for their vehicle’s needs.
There are a few options out there, ranging in price and effectiveness. One low-cost (and therefore commonly used) option is to place car dehumidifier bags on the inside of your car. The bag is filled with a silica-like material that absorbs moisture out of the air. The idea is that it will remove moisture from the interior of your car, preventing moisture build-up on the windscreen, mould growth and its associated damp smell.
This makes it an appropriate solution for many drivers who’s car only serves the purpose of getting them from A to B. However, for car enthusiasts who take pride in their vehicle and invest time and money into taking care of it, car dehumidifier bags don’t go nearly far enough.
For a start, the bags only have an impact on the humidity interior of the car; all other parts are left vulnerable to the damage that can be inflicted by high humidity levels. If you were to choose a car dehumidifier bag as a solution, you would also have the inconvenience of trying to find an appropriate second solution to protect the exterior.
The bags are also inefficient. It can take days after placing the bag in the car for it to absorb enough of the moisture. You also can’t simply place one in the car and leave it there indefinitely because many of the bags need to be recharged.
Additionally, some bags may leak, so if the moisture they’ve absorbed is reintroduced into the interior, the RH will increase again.
In summary, issues with car dehumidifier bags include:
- Risk of leaking
- Need recharging
- Only has an effect on car interiors
- Takes days to have any impact
Essentially, if your car is a hobby or investment, then this option is not the best choice for you.
What other solutions are out there?
Much like car dehumidifiers, there are a lot of products out there that deal with one aspect of your car care, whether that’s removing moisture from the interior with a dehumidifier bag or keeping your car dust-free with a protective bubble or classic car cover.
Despite the wide range of dehumidification products on offer, many of them have the same common denominator: they only offer partial protection and only combat the symptoms of a high RH, rather than dealing with the RH at its source.
A solution that combats RH at its source
Car storage is at the heart of car care, after all, that’s where your car will spend most of its time when you’re not driving it. Therefore, a solution that stringently controls the storage environment is the answer to effectively preserving and caring for a car that is your pride and joy.
The best solution is to opt for a desiccant dehumidification unit, which keeps your car in its ideal condition.
With a desiccant dehumidifier, you can:
- Monitor and control your environment
- Ensure your vehicle is protected
- Use an energy-efficient solution
- Tackle all areas of humidity damage
Conclusion
Ultimately, solutions like car dehumidifier bags and the desiccant dehumidification unit solution can be split into two separate categories. Car dehumidifier bags aren’t useless; however, they only serve a small purpose and are better suited for cars that are only owned for the sake of practicality and sit outside on a drive year-round. A desiccant dehumidifier is an elevated holistic solution for the proactive car enthusiast. By having complete control over your car’s environment with a garage dehumidifier, you can rest assured in the knowledge that your car is completed protected from humidity.