I had major condensation issues & the water was even dripping down from the ceiling… a £1 buy was a game-changer
WITH winter now here in full force, millions of people around the world are all wondering about the same thing – how to keep condensation at bay.
A common winter issue, condensation is water droplets that form on a window when moist air comes into contact with a cold surface.
Not only can this make for an unsightly mess, but these water droplets can also lead to the growth of mould – which, in some cases, can be fatal.
Amongst those most vulnerable are newborns, young kids, elderly, as well as those with respiratory issues, allergies and asthma.
As temperatures are now dropping, thousands of desperate Brits have been taking to social media to seek advice and tips on how to deal with the issue.
One of them was also Sam Capp, a member of the popular DIY On a Budget Official group, who shared her woes on Facebook.
The young woman explained that with the weather getting colder, she’s ”having major condensation issues”.
Uploading a snap of her bedroom window after the heating had been left on for a couple of hours, Sam revealed the damage, with water ”dripping down from the ceiling”.
She wrote in the post: ”Almost all the windows in the house are the same bar the kitchen.
”It’s an old house but the windows don’t seem terrible, it has cavity wall insulation.”
Desperate for affordable solutions that won’t cost her an arm and a leg, Sam went on: ”Any tips to help with this?? I can’t afford new windows at the moment.”
Luckily for her – and anyone else struggling with the annoying issue this season – dozens of social media users flooded to comments to offer a helping hand.
One person wrote: ”Windows open each day or vents open if you have them, stop drying clothes on the radiators as this makes it so much worse as the water from your clothes is then just going in the air.”
Another agreed, advising Sam to ”maybe think about spinning them (wet clothes) more in the washing washing (no wash cycle) to get more water out”.
Although there were a wide range of recommendations, one proved to be more popular than any other – getting her hands on a dehumidifier.
One fan of the handy winter gadget wrote: ”You need a dehumidifier I had the same problem so I got one and I can’t tell you how much its improved and it fills up with water daily the first day I had it within 2 hrs it was half full.”
Someone else was also raving about the budget-friendly buy, writing: ”Open your windows a bit when your drying your clothes on the radiators, open the vents on the windows and get some poundshop dehumidifier damp traps for the window sills.”
A popular gadget for many households in the colder months, a dehumidifier works ”by drawing air from the room over a coil cooled to a very low temperature by a refrigeration system”, explained the pros at the Breathing Space.
The water vapour then condenses on the cold surface and the water drips into the collection bucket underneath.
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.
Best budget dehumidifier
Although the high street offers a huge variety of dehumidifiers and there’s one to fit every budget, there’s no need to fork out a fortune – as Amazon shoppers can find the winter staple for as little as £1.
Currently going for £11.99, Straame Home Interior Dehumidifier comes with ten mini dehumidifiers that will cost you a little over £1 each and they claim to be ”ideal for any room”.
Filled with special hydrophilic crystals, the handy boxes ”help absorb any moisture from the air which helps to prevent any dampness in your rooms that may cause unwanted odours”.
Not only is this great for keeping ”your home smelling clean and fresh”, but the £1 buy will also ”reduce the risk of any damp, mildew, mould or condensation”.
Boasting an impressive 4.2-star rating, the tiny dehumidifiers have received more than 3,600 positive reviews from all around the world, with many giving it the maximum five stars.
One delighted customer said: ”I bought these as I have a few trouble spots around the house where damp can sometimes be an issue.
”Storage cupboards mainly and so I pop one or two of these in each and leave them for about a month until the crystals have almost disappeared and they are full of water.
”Simply peel back the material membrane, empty in the sink and then pop in the recycling
”They absorb moisture brilliantly and depending on the time of year, will dictate how often or how many you may want to use.”
Another Amazon fan penned: ”These do a solid job. I bought them just to stop humidity and moisture on my walls internally, and they do that.”
However, despite the rave reviews, not everyone was happy with their purchase, as one critic claimed the dehumidifier didn’t do anything.
”It doesn’t seem sulking up any water or damp. My previous item did show it gets heavier over the time but unfortunately this item remains the same in a very damp area…its been weeks…”