Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Drew345]

I'm going away for a winter vacation and I bought some of those Thirsty Hippo Dehumidifiers to put in my closets, and especially on my balcony.
They have a foil layer over the top that obviously I need to remove.
Then there is a paper layer under that. It looks like I am not supposed to remove the paper layer, but I am not sure about that. If I don't remove the paper layer, seems like the silicon gel will have a hard time absorbing the humidity.
Anyone have experience with these things? After removing the foil, do you remove the paper too? Or leave the paper on?
Thanks,

[Juregen]

do not remove the paper

The water becomes toxic.

[nobbyken]

Is your place still humid?
The lack of humidity and itchy skin are my problems in winter.

Edit-As stated, yes these things fill with water, with the paper on.

[Drew345]

Great, thanks,
Leave the paper on, got it.
Outside is really dry, but they seem to pipe extra humidity into my building. My outside wall is sweating like from some horror movie.
Thanks,

[bassexpander]

Most Korean homes lack central air and vents. Koreans take care of these issues by airing out the house at least 3 or more times per day for a good 5 minutes or more. If you fail to do this in the winter, then the cold walls will collect humidity and possibly begin to mold (very unhealthy). It's especially a problem for people living in basement apartments, as many teachers do (because those apts. are cheapest).

It is important to do as the Koreans do (or as the should do -- not everyone is good about this).

Those hippos are good for small areas like closets and drawers, but are pretty much useless out in the open. Even if you put 10 of them outside, they don't catch nearly enough water to make a difference.

[tc20]

I'd say crack a window open.

[Drew345]

Yeah, I'm going to leave a couple of windows open (10 floors up should be safe) and use the hippos in closets and storage bins.
Thanks