If you are currently sitting in your room with your skin sticking to your desk, you don’t need us to tell you: Korean summer in late July is NO JOKE. We have officially entered the height of sticky, tropical, sweat-inducing humidity.

For foreign students living in a standard Korean One-Room (원룸) or even smaller Goshiwon, this season brings two major boss fights:

Don't panic! We’ve put together your ultimate guide to keeping your home healthy, fresh, and budget-friendly.

1. How to Keep Your Home Mold-Free (Gompaengi Defense 101)

Korean apartments, especially older ones or lower floors, are notorious for trapping moisture. Mold can ruin your clothes, spawn bad odors, and even cause respiratory issues. Here is how you fight back:

🛍️ Stock Up on disposable dehumidifier

Walk into any Daiso, Emart, or local mart and look for 제습제 (Jeseupje) or generic moisture-absorbing tubs. Buy a whole box!

❄️ Master the "Dehumidifier Mode" (Jeseup)

Did you know your A/C remote control likely has a built-in savior? Look for the button that says 제습 (Jeseup) or has a water droplet icon. Sometimes it’s hidden in the 모드 (Mode) button, click multiple time to set it to 제습 (Jeseup).

👕 Dry Laundry with Care

Drying wet clothes inside a closed studio without airflow is basically inviting mold to set up a colony.

💡 Quick Fix Spray: If you spot mold starting on wallpaper or tiles, search Daiso for 곰팡이 제거제 (Mold Remover Spray). Spray it, leave it for 10 minutes, and wipe it down with a damp cloth! Promise this is not a Daiso commercial haha but… Damn there is everything and we know we are all on a budget!

2. AC Hacks: Stay Cool Without Going Broke

As an exchange or university student, your electricity bill (jeongibang) can swallow your monthly budget if you aren't careful. Here is how to keep costs down:

🔄 Learn Your AC Type: Inverter vs. Non-Inverter

Check your air conditioner unit label:

🌀 The Fan + AC Power Combo

Never run your AC alone! Pair it with a simple electric fan (선풍기 - Seonpung-gi). Pointing the fan into the air stream distributes the cool air across your room twice as fast, allowing you to set the AC to 25°C or 26°C instead of 18°C.

💡 Did you know: The Korean "fan death" myth is a popular urban legend claiming that leaving an electric fan running in an enclosed room overnight can cause asphyxiation, hypothermia, or death! Although this myth has no scientific background, during the night set your fan or AC on a lower setting during the night and on a spinning mode to avoid getting sick .

🧹 Clean the AC Filter FIRST

If you haven't cleaned your air conditioner filter yet this summer, stop reading and do it now! A dust-clogged filter makes the motor work twice as hard (spending more electricity) and circulates dirty air. Pop the mesh filter out, rinse it in the shower with dish soap, let it dry completely, and put it back.

💡 Did you know: If your AC is not reachable you can also book a professional to come directly to your home and clean the inside of the air conditioner. They usually protect the wall and furniture, open the unit, clean the filters, fan and heat exchanger, remove dust and mold, then reassemble and test it. Independent companies are generally cheaper.

🏠 Looking for a Better Place to Stay?

Let’s be honest: half the battle with mold and high bills comes down to how well the housing is built. If you’re living in an old, poorly ventilated place where the landlord doesn't care, summer can feel like an uphill battle.

If you are planning to move soon, starting a new semester, or looking for short-to-mid term housing in Korea, make sure to check out Momstay!

Why Momstay? It’s a platform specifically designed for foreigners staying in Korea for short or medium terms (students, language program trainees, interns, etc.). We offer verified, clean, and safe housing options, like guesthouses, student rooms called goshiwons, studio apartments, and shared houses, making it so much easier to avoid sketchy, damp basement rooms and find a cozy, hassle-free place you can call home.

Stay hydrated, keep those moisture traps fresh, and enjoy the ice-cold bingsu season!