apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I usually just leave the bathroom door open while I shower, and I never have problems with humidity. Obviously this wouldn't work with roommates or guests, but it works perfectly when it's just me. Maybe you could try replacing the existing door with one with a louvered opening, so air could flow through but you would still have privacy.

We have the same issue, and leaving the window open seems to work pretty well. You just have to remember to shut the window after the moisture evaporates.

small, portable dehumidifier. Or try and convince the landlord it is in his/her interest to keep the bathroom mold-free by installing an exhaust fan.

Is there any kind of plant solution?

Thanks for the input. I actually do leave the door open (pretty much only closes when I have guests). I also open the window, and leave it open for a little while after the shower (or a really long while, when I forget). These strategies keep the mirror unfogged, but it's still stays humid.

I am getting concerned about mold, and I'm thinking I'll have to try pressing my (really cheap) landlady to put in a fan. Failing that, I may have to go with the dehumidifier.

Air plants will thrive in this environment and help to trap moisture, but you still need to crack a window

You might try a bowl of hydrating crystals which absorb water as well as give up water, depending upon the humidity.

Check out the Watersorb people, for one source

I have the same problem, actually. First off, I hang my towels on the outside of the door. I also have some moisture-loving plants on the window shelves. In the summer I open the window because it's muggy enough, but these days I just open the door. The extra moisture in the air during these cold months has actually made a huge difference in my skin (which is usually SUPER dry as soon as it's below 50). Also, the flu virus hates moist air.
www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/10/.../main4788802.shtml

If your concern is mold, it helps a lot just to wipe down the shower walls and curtains with a towel after you take a shower.

I hook a small portable, clip-on fan to the side of the cabinet or bathroom door. After showering, i open the window, point the fan towards the shower/bath area and window to circulate the air, close the bathroom door and let the fan blow the air around and out the open window. This works really well in the moist Oregon climate and gets ride of the mildew problems inside.

Well, if the landlady won't budge, you could try getting a small table-top fan and placing it in the open doorway blowing out into the other room. It might generate enough air exchange between the rooms to decrease the humidity.

You could also try desiccants, which absorb moisture. My dad has some desiccant crystals that can be reused by heating them in the oven, but they're more effective in smaller spaces like boxes.

Even better than ladygoat's towel suggestion is to get a bathroom squeegee (I get mine at the dollar store) and routinely squeegee down the walls/door before stepping out of the shower daily.

I'm always impressed with how much moisture is immediately removed from the air when I do this.

The advantage, over the towel is that the towl requires drying after you wipe down the shower spray from the walls and this just transfers the water to a difference source - still in the bathroom!

A doorway fan should go the trick. They fit the the upper corner of the doorframe and move air from one room to another. They're cheaper and easier than a dehumidifier or installing an exhaust fan.Here's one - http://www.smarthome.com/3008/Entr-eAir-Doorway-Booster-Fan-RR100/p.aspx.

I have the same problem as you, except my bathroom has a fan! I leave the door open and unfortunately get mildew in my hall. Opening a window really does work, but it does not work when it is below freezing out. I've thought of getting a dehumidifier

energy start dehumidifier. we live in the PNW and the open window is fine for the summer, but does horrible things to your energy bill in the winter. the dehumidifier paid for itself in saved heat loss in under a month. do some research before you buy - get a quality model, small but mighty, and energy start.

Radiant heat fan. It'll provide warmth and dry out the air at the same time. I know this because I don't like using mine overnight as I wake up with dry nostrils and a dry throat. Suggest leaving it on (attended, of course) for an hour in the bathroom after a shower with the door open.

Here's an example of what I'm thinking of from Amazon.com (no affiliation): http://www.amazon.com/Presto-HeatDish-Plus-Footlight-Parabolic/dp/B000IOTREI

I noticed that smwilson's post linking to our site was broken. Here's the corrected link:
http://www.smarthome.com/3008/Entr-eAir-Doorway-Booster-Fan-RR100/p.aspx