The paper presents investigations of composite materials based on black peats of Barabinskoe and Taganskoe deposits of the Tomsk region and carboxymethyl cellulose, both modified with iron (Ш) and copper (II) chloride solutions. In order to improve hydrophobic properties of compositions, optimum salt concentrations are detected. Water sorption and desorption isotherms are obtained for modified specimens. It is suggested to employ synthesized solid-state compositions as insulators in the capacity of both humidity controller and indoor-contaminant absorber.