(Published on March 6, 2024)
Misty March
During March, Hong Kong starts to transition from the cooler, drier winter season to the warmer, wetter summer season. This period is characterised by the increasing influence of the southeast monsoon winds, which bring warm and moist air from the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea towards Hong Kong, significantly increasing humidity levels. It is expected that humidity will rise over 80% in Hong Kong during this period.
Is High Humidity Bad For Health?
High humidity levels in the home can have several negative effects on health, comfort, and the structure of the building itself. Here are some of the main reasons why high humidity at home can be bad for health:
- Promotes Mould and Mildew Growth: Mould and mildew thrive in moist environments. Exposure to mould can cause a variety of health issues, including allergic reactions, asthma attacks, respiratory infections, and irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs.
- Increases Dust Mite Population: Dust mites, which are common allergens, also flourish in high humidity. They can exacerbate allergies and asthma, leading to symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and coughing.
- Contributes to Respiratory Problems: High humidity can make the air feel heavier, making it more difficult for people with respiratory conditions to breathe. It can also increase the likelihood of respiratory infections.
- Aggravates Skin Conditions: Excessive moisture in the air can lead to skin irritation, exacerbate eczema, and increase the incidence of fungal infections.
- Uncomfortable Living Conditions: High humidity levels can make the air feel warmer than it actually is, leading to discomfort and difficulty sleeping. It can also make physical activities more strenuous.
- Structural Damage: Over time, high humidity can damage the structural integrity of a home, causing wood to rot, paint to peel, and metal to corrode. This can lead to costly repairs and potentially dangerous living conditions.
- Attracts Pests: Many pests, including cockroaches and termites, are attracted to damp environments. These pests can carry diseases and cause damage to the home.
Maintaining an indoor humidity level between 30% and 50% is generally recommended to minimise these health risks and ensure a comfortable living environment. This can be achieved through ventilation, the use of air conditioners and dehumidifiers, and by taking steps to reduce moisture sources in the home.
How To Reduce Humidity At Home?
Domestic workers can implement several steps to help control moisture levels in the home:
- Ventilate Well: Increase air circulation by opening windows and doors whenever the weather permits, especially in areas like the kitchen and bathroom where moisture levels tend to be higher. Use exhaust fans or stand-alone fans to help circulate air.
- Avoid Air-Drying Clothes Indoors: Whenever possible, dry clothes outside to prevent moisture from evaporating into the indoor air. If you must dry clothes indoors, try to do so in a well-ventilated area or near an open window.
- Use Cooking Vents: Always turn on ventilation fans when cooking, boiling water, or doing anything else that adds moisture to the air. If possible, cover pots and pans to minimise indoor humidity.
- Take Shorter Showers: Reduce the time spent in the shower and use lukewarm water instead of hot to decrease the amount of steam produced. Ensure the bathroom is well-ventilated during and after showering to help remove moisture.
- Wipe Down Wet Surfaces: After activities that produce a lot of steam or water vapor, such as showering or cooking, wipe down any wet surfaces to remove excess moisture.
- Use Moisture Absorbers: Place moisture absorbers or desiccants, like silica gel, calcium chloride, or commercially available moisture traps, in areas prone to dampness, such as closets, bathrooms, and kitchens. These can help absorb excess humidity.
- Utilise Air Conditioning: If available, use air conditioning to help reduce indoor humidity. Air conditioners remove moisture from the air as they cool, helping to control humidity levels.
- Fix Leaks Promptly: Check for and repair any leaks in plumbing, walls, or the roof promptly to prevent excess moisture from entering the home.
- Insulate Pipes: Cold pipes can cause condensation in humid weather. Insulating them can prevent moisture buildup.
- Increase Plant Transpiration: While plants can add moisture to the air, some plants, like orchids, peace lilies, and palms, absorb humidity through their leaves. Consider keeping a few of these plants to help reduce indoor humidity naturally.
- Use Salt: Place bowls of salt in damp areas; salt naturally absorbs moisture from the air. Replace the salt once it becomes too wet.
Implementing these strategies can help reduce indoor humidity levels, making the environment more comfortable and preventing problems associated with high humidity, such as mould and mildew growth.
How To Do Laundry Properly In Humid Weather?
Doing laundry in highly humid weather in Hong Kong presents unique challenges due to the slower drying time and increased risk of musty odours and mildew growth on clothes. Here are some tips to effectively do laundry in such conditions:
- Use a Dehumidifier: If possible, use a dehumidifier in the room where you dry your clothes. This can significantly reduce drying time and prevent the growth of mould and mildew.
- Maximise Air Circulation: Ensure good air circulation in the drying area by using fans or opening windows. This can help evaporate moisture faster.
- Spin Dry Thoroughly: Use your washing machine’s spin cycle thoroughly to remove as much water as possible from your clothes before hanging them to dry. The drier your clothes are, the faster they will dry.
- Avoid Overloading the Washing Machine: Washing too many clothes at once can lead to them not being spun dry enough, prolonging drying times. It’s better to do smaller loads that can be spun more effectively.
- Spread Out Clothes When Drying: Avoid overlapping clothes on the drying rack. Space out your garments to allow air to circulate freely around each item.
- Use Hangers: Hang clothes on hangers to maximise airflow and reduce drying time. This is particularly effective for shirts and blouses.
- Change Drying Locations Based on Time of Day: If you’re drying clothes outside, take advantage of the sun and less humid times of the day. However, be mindful of sudden rain showers common in Hong Kong.
- Iron Damp Clothes: If clothes are slightly damp, ironing them can help remove the remaining moisture and prevent musty smells.
- Use Antimicrobial Detergent: Consider using a detergent with antimicrobial properties to prevent mould and mildew growth, especially during the rainy season.
- Dry Clothes Indoors if Outdoor Humidity is Too High: Sometimes, the outdoor humidity can be higher than indoors, especially during or after rain. In such cases, it’s better to dry clothes indoors with a dehumidifier or air conditioning.
- Consider Using a Clothes Dryer: Although not as common in Hong Kong due to space and energy considerations, a clothes dryer can be very effective in humid weather. If you have access to one, use it for quicker drying times.
By implementing these strategies, you can mitigate the challenges of doing laundry in highly humid conditions and ensure your clothes dry properly, preventing unwanted odours and the growth of mildew.
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- Visa Renewal For Filipino Maids
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Find A Domestic Helper In Hong Kong | HelperChoice | An Ethical Maid Agency
About HelperChoice
HelperChoice is a reputable maid agency that holds a valid license approved by the Labour Department Hong Kong. The agency offers an online platform for direct hiring of domestic helpers and facilitates visa processing service specifically for Filipino maids. With a vast network, HelperChoice has successfully served over 75,000 employers in Hong Kong and Singapore, providing employers access to a pool of more than 20,000 domestic worker profiles. The agency maintains collaborative partnerships with local NGOs, including Enrich Hong Kong, Help For Domestic Workers, and PathFinders, organizing workshops and webinars to support the welling being and the employment rights of foreign migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong.
Contract And Visa Renewal For Filipino Maids
Employers are required to renew the employment contract and visa for foreign domestic helpers every two years at the Immigration Department and the respective Consulate. If you need assistance with processing the contract and visa for a Filipino maid, you can reach out to the HelperChoice team via Whatsapp. Normally, the visa renewal takes around two weeks to complete. Most visa processing packages include a mandatory two-year insurance coverage for domestic workers. For more info, please contact us via Whatsapp.
See also: Visa Processing Service For Filipino Domestic Workers
How To Hire A Domestic Helper On HelperChoice Platform?
HelperChoice offers a convenient online platform for foreign domestic helpers matching services. Employers can register an account and post job ads for free. Employers can also filter and review domestic helper profiles based on criteria like year of working experience, age, nationality, cooking skills, employment contract status (finished contract, break contract, terminated contract or overseas contract), current living region, any reference letter from the previous employer. Once you decide to hire a domestic worker, you may contact HelperChoice team to process helper’s employment contract and visa application for you at the Immigration Department of Hong Kong. If you apply for an overseas domestic worker’s visa, it will take around 3 months time to complete the process at the Immigration Department. If your domestic worker is already in Hong Kong and has finished employment contract, the visa processing time will be shortened to 6 weeks.