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7 low-cost tips for dealing with condensation in your home this winter
In the cold winter months, condensation forming on windows can become the bane of many peoples lives but there are plenty of ways to help reduce the issue.
Condensation forms when warm humid air collides with cold surfaces, usually windows, but this also extends to cold exterior doors and walls. While condensation isnt necessarily a problem on its own, allowing it to persist can cause damp patches and for mold to start growing which can have its own damaging effects on both the building and your health.
1. Open windows to increase ventilation
One of the best ways to reduce the build-up of condensation is to open windows when cooking or taking a shower as doing so can allow excess moisture to escape.
This also extends to opening windows generally. Obviously, this will sacrifice some warmth, but opening windows when its dry and sunny outside will help to increase ventilation and let damp air out.
2. Extractor fan
If your property comes equipped with an extractor fan, then its a wise idea to make the most of it.
Similar to opening your windows, this can help to extract moisture when cooking or showering.
Its also recommended to leave an extractor fan running for 10-15 minutes after showing for example as the air will remain humid for a little while.
3. Close kitchen and bathroom doors
Most moisture in the house is produced in the kitchen and bathroom.
Therefore, keeping the doors to each room closed during and after use will prevent damp air from spreading throughout the property until your open windows or extractor fan have allowed the moisture to escape.
4. Dry clothes outside
Obviously, this may not be possible when wet and cold wintry weather descends but if you have a rare sunny day, it could be beneficial to dry laundry outside if you dont have a dryer.
A possible alternative could be to hang your laundry in the bathroom, for example, and to keep the window open to allow the moisture from the wet clothes to escape outside rather than being trapped indoors.
5. Dehumidifiers and disposable moisture absorbers
If the rain – or indeed snow – simply wont stop and youre forced to dry clothes indoors, purchasing an electric dehumidifier or disposable moisture absorbers can be a great way to extract moisture from the air.
Small dehumidifiers that are suitable for use in a single room typically cost around $35/$40 while bigger and more effective units will obviously cost more if youre working with a larger budget.
6. Keep property heated
Condensation forms when surfaces become cold and this happens more readily in a colder environment so ensuring to keep your home heated could go a long way to helping with this issue.
Of course, the cost of heating homes has soared in recent years, so were not saying you have to keep the heating on at all times, but ensuring that you dont let the property get too cold will help to prevent condensation to a certain degree.
7. K�rcher Window Vac
If condensation still forms on your windows, then a device such as a K�rcher Window Vac (or similar) could help to quickly clear it away without too much hassle.
They are far more convenient and efficient than simply using a squeegee wiper and a cloth and can be used on windows throughout the house as well as on surfaces and tiles in the bathroom or kitchen.
We would just like to note that this isnt an advertisement – this writer simply owns such a device and believes its worth recommending.
A baseline model of the K�rcher Window Vac is available for $59.99 directly from K�rcher’s website in their winter sale. As K�rcher products are imported from Europe, the availability of certain models may be limited in the US.
While many of the solutions listed above may help with condensation in the short term, if the problem persists in the long run, it may be prudent to improve the ventilation and insulation in your home, upgrading to double or even triple-glazed windows to keep heat in or installing extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom if your home doesn’t already have them.
