Drivers across the UK are being urged to put used tea bags inside their cars from Wednesday as a bout of cold weather is forecast, bringing fog and show showers to the UK.
The Met Office says cold air will increasingly spread south across the country from mid-week, with the chilly conditions becoming increasingly established by Wednesday. Parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England are expected to be hit with frost and early fog, while there’s a chance of snow across northern and north-eastern Scotland from Wednesday evening into Thursday. According to the forecaster, Thursday is set to be the coldest day of the week, kicking off to a frosty start and temperatures reaching only 4C to 6C in some areas.
The wintry conditions comes after warnings that a polar vortex could bring much colder weather and snow to the UK ‘in weeks’ after the pool of cold air which sits over the North Pole, around 10 to 50km above the Earth’s surface, has “weakened and become dramatically stretched”. The disruption to the polar vortex this early in the season risks bringing a colder winter to the UK, although the effect is still uncertain at the moment.
But with cold temperatures and some snow showers on the cards this week, it means drivers are going to be battling with condensation on car windows before the winter season has even got underway. Condensation becomes more pronounced in bouts of very cold weather as it forms when moist air inside the car meets the cold surface of the glass, causing water vapour to condense and form droplets.
The colder the outside temperature is, the more dramatic the temperature drop when warm air hits the glass, which leads to fogging and misting, which can take a frustrating amount of time to clear. But luckily, there is a simple remedy for this problem – and all you need is some used tea bags.
Used tea bags – particularly used black and green tea bags – are very effective at reducing condensation and dampness inside cars becuase the tea leaves contain substances that are naturally absorbant.
As such, they can be used to draw excess moisture from the air and essentially act as a natural dehumidifier which can prove particularly useful on freezing cold mornings.
Currently, there are three separate weather warnings for ice on Tuesday, November 18, plus a warning for snow, and a warning for snow and ice, affecting large swathes of northern parts of the UK.
Further warnings for snow and ice are in force until Thursday, November 20, so drivers are likely to find they’re waking up to damp, misty and potentially frozen windscreens.
To help tackle this, experts recommend placing some used tea bags, or small bowls of loose tea, around the inside of your car, such as on the dashboard or in the door pockets. Doing so can lower the risk of condensation forming on windscreens, which in turn helps drivers avoid being handed a fine of up to £2,500.
The Highway Code says drivers should always completely demist their windows before setting off and condensation can obstruct this, and if you try to drive with an obscured view you could be fined up to £2,500 and get penalty points on your licence, especially if it leads to an accident.
Ben Pitcher, motoring specialist at DPF Experts, says tea bags are a great solution to this problem as they’re naturally absorbent, cheap and likely already knocking around in your kitchen cupboard.
He explains: “Tea bags, especially black or green tea, are natural moisture absorbers. Placing them in your car can help reduce condensation, especially in colder months. Though they aren’t as powerful as professional dehumidifiers, they’re a cheap, eco-friendly solution for tackling minor dampness.”
Green and black tea are able to absorb moisture that can form when the temperature inside a car is different to that outside and, as an added bonus, it can also improve the smell of your vehicle. Tea bags can absorb and neutralise unpleasant odours, leaving your car smelling much fresher with very little effort.
Pitcher also says packets of silica gel, which is commonly found in packaging for things like shoes, electronics and food items, can also have a similar effect and will help to clear car windscreens in the morning when condensation is most common.
He adds: “Silica gel packets, commonly found in packaging, are excellent at absorbing moisture. Collecting a few and placing them around your car can help control condensation. While they won’t clear foggy windows instantly, they can help reduce moisture and keep your windscreen clearer for longer.”
