Why cupboards get damp and musty
Cupboards are closed boxes. Air sits still, nobody opens the door for days, and anything stored inside, from towels and bedding to shoes and food packets, slowly picks up that stale, musty smell. Meaco's guide notes that mould can appear at around 68% humidity, long before you see any water, and that moisture condenses on any surface that is cold enough.
The fix does not need to be big. A cupboard is a small volume of air, which is exactly where a compact dehumidifier does its best work.
Why the Drydon suits a cupboard
Small enough for a shelf
At 145 × 217 mm and 1.2 kg, it stands on a cupboard shelf or floor. Meaco says Peltier units are suited to spaces up to about a large wardrobe, so a cupboard is well within its comfort zone.
Set it and forget it
One on/off button. Moisture collects in a removable 1,000 mL tank with a window, and the unit stops automatically, with a flashing light, when it is full.
No refills to keep buying
Unlike absorber tubs and bags, there is nothing to replace. Empty the tank, put it back and the job carries on.
Cheap to leave running
At 22.5 W it costs about 4.7p a day for 8 hours, or about 14.2p a day around the clock, at today's capped electricity rate.
Got a cupboard that smells musty? See today's Drydon bundle prices, from £59.99.
Shop Now ↗Which cupboards it works best in
| Cupboard | How Drydon fits |
|---|---|
| Linen and built-in storage cupboards | A great fit. Closed, still air in a heated home, just what the Drydon is designed for. Keep the door shut so it works on a small volume of air. |
| Shoe and coat cupboards | A great fit. Let wet shoes and coats dry first, then let the Drydon keep the space fresher. |
| Airing cupboards | A good fit. Airing cupboards tend to stay warm, which keeps it inside its 15 to 40°C operating range. It is not designed to dry wet laundry: Which? points to large-capacity dehumidifiers for drying washing indoors. |
| Kitchen cupboards | A good fit, and the merchant lists kitchens among suitable spaces. Choose a dry shelf away from the kettle, hob and sink. |
| Under-sink cupboards | Only once you have checked for leaks. Damp under a sink often comes from a drip. The merchant says the Drydon does not repair leaks and should sit on a dry surface away from wet areas. |
Tips for a drier cupboard
- Stand it upright on a dry, stable surface with the vents clear. Do not pack items tight around it.
- Keep the door closed while it runs, as Which? advises for any dehumidifier.
- Check the tank every few days and wipe it out when you empty it.
- Plan the cable. It runs from a mains adaptor, so make sure there is a socket nearby and the door closes without pinching the lead.
- Fix the source first. Leaks, rising damp or existing mould need dealing with separately. The Drydon keeps the air drier once those are sorted.
Running costs: pennies a day
At the Ofgem price cap electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh (Direct Debit, 1 October to 31 December 2026) and its 22.5 W rated power, one Drydon costs:
| Use | Per day | Per 30 days | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 hours a day | 4.7p | £1.42 | £17.29 |
| 24 hours a day | 14.2p | £4.26 | £51.88 |
Rated figure from the 9 V, 2.5 A adaptor. Actual draw can differ and your tariff may be higher or lower than the cap. There are no refills to buy: you empty the tank and reuse it.
Choose your bundle
Got more than one cupboard that needs help? Put a unit in each one rather than moving one between them, and pay less per unit as you go.
3 Drydon units
About £43.33 each, £49.98 less than three single units. Cover the linen, shoe and airing cupboards.
Shop Now ↗5 Drydon units
About £36.00 each. For every cupboard and wardrobe in the house.
Shop Now ↗The merchant's advertised UK prices when we checked on 25 October 2026. Prices may change and are confirmed at checkout. The seller lists a 30-day money-back guarantee, subject to its terms, and standard delivery of 5 to 12 working days.
Ready to freshen up your cupboards? Pick your bundle on the official Drydon site.
Shop Now ↗Cupboard dehumidifier FAQs
Can I use the Drydon in an airing cupboard?
Yes. Airing cupboards tend to stay warm, which suits its listed 15 to 40°C operating range. Stand it on a dry shelf with the vents clear. It is made for keeping the air drier, not for drying wet washing.
Is it safe under the kitchen sink?
Check for leaks first, because damp under a sink is often caused by a drip. The merchant says to use it upright on a dry, stable surface away from excessively wet areas. If the cupboard floor gets wet, use a dry shelf instead.
How big a cupboard can it handle?
Meaco says Peltier dehumidifiers will not control much more than a large wardrobe, so most household cupboards are within its range. For a walk-in storage room, consider two units or a larger dehumidifier.
Will it stop my towels and bedding smelling musty?
It removes moisture from the air, which is what lets musty smells build up. Wash anything that already smells, then keep the door closed and the Drydon running to keep the space drier.
How much does it cost to run in a cupboard?
About 4.7p a day for 8 hours, or about 14.2p a day if left on 24 hours, at the Ofgem cap rate of 26.32p per kWh. There are no refills to buy.
Does it remove mould?
No. The merchant states it does not remove mould or repair leaks. Clean any mould first, then use it to help keep the cupboard drier.
More about the Drydon
Sources
Pages accessed 24 and 25 October 2026. Full research notes are in our Drydon review.
- Drydon UK product page (merchant): get-drydon.com/int/v1/uk/
- Drydon checkout page (specs, delivery FAQ, prices): get-drydon.com/v19/checkout
- Meaco, A guide to dehumidifier basics: meaco.com
- Which?, Best dehumidifiers 2026 and buying advice: which.co.uk
- Ofgem, Changes to energy price cap between 1 October and 31 December 2026: ofgem.gov.uk
- MoneySavingExpert forum, "How to heat a damp cupboard?", Dec 2010: forums.moneysavingexpert.com
- HomeOwnersHub uk-diy, "Little (peltier) dehumidifiers", Feb 2024 (similar unit, not the Drydon): homeownershub.com