Why under stairs cupboards get musty
The cupboard under the stairs is where wet coats, muddy shoes, the vacuum and the ironing board all end up. The door stays shut, air barely moves, and every damp coat adds a little more moisture. Meaco's guide explains that mould can appear at around 68% humidity, long before any water shows, which is why the first sign is often that familiar musty smell.
Because it is a closed, contained space, it is a much easier job than drying a whole room, and a good match for a compact dehumidifier.
Why the Drydon suits an under stairs cupboard
Fits in the corner
At 145 × 217 mm and 1.2 kg, it tucks onto a shelf or the floor without taking over your storage.
Quiet in a hallway
No compressor, just a small fan. The manufacturer lists 36 dB, so it suits a cupboard off the hallway.
See it working
The removable 1,000 mL tank has a window, so you can watch the water collect. It stops automatically, with a flashing light, when the tank is full.
No refills, low running cost
Just 22.5 W: about 4.7p a day for 8 hours at today's capped electricity rate. Nothing to replace, just empty and reuse the tank.
Musty cupboard under the stairs? See today's Drydon bundle prices, from £59.99.
Shop Now ↗Is your under stairs cupboard a good match?
Under stairs cupboards vary a lot, so here is a quick, honest check.
A great fit if
- It is a standard cupboard with a door you keep closed
- It is inside your heated home, above 15°C
- There is a mains socket nearby for the adaptor
- The problem is a stale or musty smell, not standing water
Look at other options if
- It is a large walk-in space or has been opened up into a room
- It sits below 15°C in winter (Which? recommends a desiccant for cold spaces)
- There is a leak, rising damp or water on the floor
- You want to dry wet clothes in there
Tips for best results
- Let wet coats and shoes dry first. Everything that goes in damp adds moisture to a small space.
- Keep the door closed so the Drydon works on the air inside the cupboard, as Which? advises.
- Raise it off the floor onto a dry, stable shelf if you can, with the vents clear of coats and bags.
- Check the tank every few days. There is no humidity setting or timer, so it runs until you switch it off or the tank is full.
- Use a cheap hygrometer if you want to see the difference. Meaco links mould to around 68% humidity, so keeping below that is a sensible target.
- Clean any mould first. The merchant states the Drydon does not remove mould or repair leaks.
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
If the cupboard under the stairs smells musty, other small spaces may need help too. Put a unit under the stairs and in the other small spaces that need it, and pay less per unit.
3 Drydon units
About £43.33 each, £49.98 less than three single units. Under the stairs plus two wardrobes or cupboards.
Shop Now ↗5 Drydon units
About £36.00 each. For every small space that needs it.
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 for a fresher hallway cupboard? Pick your bundle on the official Drydon site.
Shop Now ↗Under stairs dehumidifier FAQs
Will one Drydon be enough for my under stairs cupboard?
For a standard cupboard with the door kept closed, it is the right size of tool. Meaco says Peltier units will not control much more than a large wardrobe, so for a big walk-in space consider two units or a larger dehumidifier.
My under stairs cupboard is cold. Will it still work?
The listed operating range is 15 to 40°C. Meaco advises not to use Peltier units below 15°C, and Which? recommends desiccant dehumidifiers for unheated, colder spaces. If your cupboard is inside a heated home, it should be within range.
Can I store coats and shoes next to it?
Yes, just keep the vents clear and stand it upright on a dry, stable surface. Let wet items dry before putting them away.
Does it need a socket?
Yes. It runs from a mains adaptor (9 V, 2.5 A), so it needs a nearby socket. Route the lead so the door closes without pinching it.
What does it cost to run?
About 4.7p a day for 8 hours, about £1.42 per 30 days, at the Ofgem cap rate of 26.32p per kWh. Around the clock it is about 14.2p a day.
Will it fix damp on the walls?
It collects moisture from the air, which helps keep the space drier. It does not fix leaks, rising damp or existing mould, which need dealing with separately.
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
- HomeOwnersHub uk-diy, "Little (peltier) dehumidifiers", Feb 2024 (similar unit, not the Drydon): homeownershub.com