home made damp it - question

[uncle fester]

it's all of a sudden got super dry (35% w/ humidifier going full and doors closed).  I can normally manage it with the humidifier, but this is extreme.  Thinking back to various threads, I recall folks talking about home made damp its - so I put a damp sponge in a baggy with some holes in it, and placed it in the soundhole - at least until this dry spell is over or I can get to the guitar store if this doesn't work.

Went together easy and seems like a good temp solution, but does anyone have input / words of caution about going the home made route?  Thanks to all for any input...  rgds brfm

[SirNed]

I keep my guitars between 30-45%, and there aren't any issues.  I start to take more agressive measures at below 30%. 

For the sponge, just make sure it's not dripping wet. Also be sure to the sponge and water are sanitized to avoid mold and bacteria growth. 

Commercial sound-hole humidifiers have denser sponges that require less refills and aren't as drippy. 

[zombywoof]

Better than the sponge  go to a crafts store and buy some water beads.

[62burst]

If you are using one of the small (calibrated) digital hygrometers to keep an eye on your humidity, like this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Caliber-IV-Digital-Cigar-Humidor-Hygrometer-Calibration-Capable-Western-NEW/131722407011?epid=1704040338&hash=item1eab446c63:g:~k8AAOSwxCxT44vT, you can slip it in the soundhole (with a retrieval tether made of masking tape if the guitar is currently strung), since the wet sponge in a bag can easily get the guitar into the 60 + RH levels, which might be a bit much, long term. Hope you've found something to put under the hole-poked baggie, water stains are a pain to remove.

[Cougar]

3 hours ago, billroy fineman said:

 I recall folks talking about home made damp its - so I put a damp sponge in a baggy with some holes in it, and placed it in the soundhole....

 

That's what I use, but not in the soundhole.  Under the headstock will work fine - the laws of thermodynamics ensure the moisture will dissipate throughout the case (and humidify the guitar). 

I usually cut a good quality sponge in half and put two or three halves in the baggie - gives you more surface area from which to evaporate (considerably more than commercial dampits).  When it's really dry, I squeeze out the sponges, but not too much!  By a strong or light squeeze, you can semi-regulate how much moisture you're putting into the case.  (You just don't want it dripping!)

I also use these cheap-o hygrometers because I don't really need super accurate readings - within a few percentage points is close enough to tell me how the case environment is doing....

 

 

[uncle fester]

Thank you all for the feedback and tips.  Hopefully it's only temporary....  today's back up above 40% humidity. 

Some good take-aways, don't put it in so wet so that it's 'drippy' and/or beware of water stains.  62Bs comment on getting a hygrometer for in the guitar sounds like a wise way to go - will put it on the Christmas wish list.  Not sure about the shower beads ZW, they're probably better but with a sponge and water I'm not concerned of any foreign substances where as with the beads, I just don't trust them.

Thank you all again and happy hydrating!

[Holiday Hoser]

I use a humidor humidifier but instead of water wet it with propylene glycol lasts much longer, no mold and you can throw a couple stogies in the case to enjoy later!