Eight top tips to banish condensation this winter – starting with sleeping with your curtains open
IF you are on a mission to banish condensation from your windows this winter, then you’ve come to the right place.
There’s nothing more annoying than spending ages cleaning your windows, only to wake up and see them soaked.
But luckily for you, the experts at Screwfix have shared their top tips to winter-proof your home – and you’ll need to sleep with your curtains open for starters.
Not only this, but if you want your windows to be dry and your home to be damp-free, you’ll also need to avoid drying your washing inside where possible and should adjust your heating settings too.
Condensation is water that collects on cold hard surfaces when warm air touches them.
It most commonly occurs in winter on windows, doors and walls, as well as unventilated spaces, such as built-in wardrobes and cupboards.
Condensation often forms in rooms with high humidity, such as the kitchen and bathroom.
But such visible water droplets are most likely to occur in rooms where there is little or no ventilation and a lot of humidity.
Not only this, but rooms where clothes are drying and where people are sleeping are also highly susceptible to condensation.
As a result, here are eight handy hacks to stop condensation forming on your windows this winter.
Open windows in bedrooms at night
According to the pros at Screwfix, if you want to banish condensation, you’ll need to open your windows when you go to sleep.
The experts said: “The warm air people breathe out while sleeping increases humidity. There’s nowhere for the moist air to go when windows are closed, so it turns into condensation.
“Opening the window allows the warm air to escape instead.”
Keep curtains open in bedrooms at night
Not only this, but it’s a good idea to open your curtains when you go to sleep too.
The experts explained: “Closed curtains are great draught excluders, but they also prevent the windowpane from being warmed up by central heating.
“This makes the glass colder than it could be, therefore causing condensation.
“Keeping curtains open at night means the glass temperature will stay closer to the room temperature so condensation won’t form.
“If it’s not practical to keep curtains open, changing them to thinner curtains will still make a difference.”
Open windows in bathrooms when showering or bathing
If you don’t already, it’s key that you open your windows when you’re having a shower or bath.
What is condensation?
Condensation is water droplets that form on a window when moist air comes into contact with a cold surface.
Condensation occurs when:
Air cools
Warmer air can hold more moisture than cooler air. When moist air touches a cold surface, like a window, the water vapour in the air turns into liquid water droplets.
Windows are colder than walls
Windows are often colder than insulated walls, so condensation is more likely to occur on them.
Windows are poorly insulated
Poorly insulated windows can lead to condensation, especially if they are made of aluminium, which conducts heat quickly. If left untreated, it can lead to mould and other serious problems.
Showering and bathing create a considerable amount of steam in a short space of time, making condensation inevitable.
But by simply opening the window, you will allow the steam to escape quickly.
Open windows in kitchens when cooking
Similarly to this, when preparing your dinner, no matter how chilly you are, it’s a good idea to crack open your window, even just a tiny bit.
Cooking and using the kettle creates a lot of steam in a kitchen, as do activities such as washing up.
Opening windows whilst doing these activities will provide ventilation and allow the warm air to escape, rather than cause condensation on the window.
Dry clothes outside
Although rainy winter days are a nightmare for drying laundry, if you’re looking to cut costs and reduce condensation, drying your clothes outside is a must.
The experts stressed: “As they dry, wet clothes placed on an airer or radiator release moisture into the air, raising the humidity and causing condensation.
Cheap condensation hacks
1. Use Salt or Cat Litter
– Place bowls of salt or silica-based cat litter in areas prone to dampness. These materials are excellent at absorbing moisture from the air.
2. DIY Dehumidifier
– Create a simple dehumidifier using a plastic container with a lid. Punch holes in the lid, fill the container with silica gel or activated charcoal, and place it in humid areas.
3. Ventilate When Cooking and Showering
– Open windows or use extractor fans when cooking or showering to let moisture escape. Even a small gap can make a significant difference.
4. Wipe Down Windows
– Regularly wipe down windows and other cold surfaces with a dry cloth to remove condensation. This prevents moisture from accumulating and causing mould.
5. Use Houseplants
– Certain houseplants, like peace lilies and spider plants, can help absorb moisture from the air. They also improve indoor air quality.
6. Keep Lids on Pots
– When cooking, keep lids on pots and pans to reduce the amount of steam released into the air.
7. Dry Clothes Outside
– Whenever possible, dry clothes outside or in a well-ventilated area instead of using indoor drying racks.
8. Open Curtains and Blinds
– During the day, open curtains and blinds to allow sunlight to warm up windows and reduce condensation. Sunlight also helps to reduce mould growth.
9. Use Towels Wisely
– Keep towels and other fabrics away from walls and windows to prevent them from absorbing moisture and becoming damp.
10. Seal Cracks and Gaps
– Use inexpensive weatherstripping or caulk to seal any cracks or gaps around windows and doors. This helps to keep cold air out and warm air in, reducing condensation.
“Preferably, clothes should be dried outside. But if that’s not possible due to the weather, open windows to allow the air to escape.
“Also, try to dry clothes in a room with plenty of windows to allow sunlight to dry them quicker.”
Keep heating on constantly at a low temperature
If you are someone who whacks the heating on full blast to warm up your home, it’s time to think again.
According to the pros: “Extreme and frequent rises and drops in temperature exacerbate condensation problems.
“First, the decrease in temperature when the heating goes off makes windows cold.
“Then the sudden rise when the heating comes on warms the air quickly, but not the glass, so condensation forms.
“Keeping the heating on constantly but at a lower temperature stops the glass from getting as cold and helps to prevent condensation from forming.”
Replace windows with condensation between the panes
In addition to this, if you spot condensation in between your window panes, it might be time to get some professional advice.
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Property expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the outside cold to get into your home, this is because of small gaps that can let in air so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth as it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another area of your home where heat can be lost and can make your home feel chilly,” he continued. “You might notice on cold days, that your floor is not nice to walk on due to it freezing your feet.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have a carpet, this provides a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, loft space, crawlspaces and underneath floorboards.
“Loose-fill insulation is very good for this, and is a more affordable type of insulation, with a big bag being able to be picked up for around £30,” Joshua explained.
4. Keep your internal doors closed
“Household members often gather in one room in the evening, and this is usually either the kitchen or living room,” Joshua said.
“This means you only have to heat a small area of your home, and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and letterboxes, as they can let in cold air if they aren’t secure.
The experts suggested: “Double-glazed windows will never have condensation trapped between the two panes of glass unless they are faulty.
“If this happens, then the windows will need to be replaced.”
Fix damp problems
Finally, if condensation is driving you mad, you’ll need to fix damp problems, and fast.
It turns out that whilst excessive condensation can cause dampness, not all damp is caused by condensation.
Damp can also be caused by structural problems and damp, which increases humidity, therefore adding to the chance of condensation forming on windows.
As a result, fixing the damp problem is a good place to start to stop condensation forming on windows.