Condensation can be a real problem at this time of year, and people are always looking for ways to rid mould from around their windows. The key to preventing the issue can often be opening windows, even when the temperatures drop.
Even though the weather is getting colder, and many of us want to cosy up indoors, it’s vital to open windows throughout autumn and winter as much as we can. As well as helping fresh air to circulate in the house, it also helps to stop condensation and prevents mould from building up too much too, so it’s pretty important.
If you’re wondering when you should do this to achieve the best results, we have the answer. Opening your windows at an exact time of day can work wonders, and the advice comes after UK households were urged to keep their windows open in the cold weather.
People were recently talking about the problem on Reddit, as a social media user wrote: “When do you open your windows to prevent mould? I have struggled with mould in every property I’ve lived in in the UK. I’ve always been told to 1) ventilate rooms properly by opening windows every day, and 2) keep the property warm.
“This sounds like a stupid question, but when do you open your windows to prevent losing the heat? I want to have my heating on before I wake up in the morning, but then if I get up and open my windows I will lose all of that heat. Am I supposed to be suffering in the cold in the morning and opening my windows then?”
One person replied, saying: “You won’t lose all of the heat by opening the windows for 10 minutes in the morning.” Another added: “A (proper) dehumidifier is a good idea, but just opening most of your windows for five minutes a day should do a bulk of the work.”
A third replied: “We wake up, get washed and dressed, then open the windows. As we’re dressed we don’t really get cold again for a while.
“Upstairs windows we tend to leave open a little for most of the day, [and] then close them in the evening so the bedrooms have time to warm up.”
Meanwhile, a fourth commented: “I leave the upstairs windows open all the time and downstairs for a couple of hours in the morning. Stick a jumper on.”
However, if you want a clearer answer, there is actually an exact time people should open their windows to prevent the problem, according to experts. It may just help you a lot throughout the winter months.
According to South Oxfordshire District Council, there are vital times you should open windows to prevent condensation. Windows can be opened for brief periods, such as between five to 15 minutes if it’s cold, and ideally needs to be done twice a day.
The website states: “When cooking, open a window or use an extractor fan to let steam out. To reduce steam, keep a lid on saucepans as you cook.
“Open a window or use an extractor fan after a bath or shower and close the door so the moist air goes out of the window and not into the rest of your home. When running a bath put cold water in first then add hot – it reduces steam by 90%.”
So, you don’t have to worry about being cold during the winter months as, while it’s important to open windows, you don’t need to open them for long periods to witness benefits. In fact, twice a day should be enough.
When it comes to the exact time to do this, it just depends on when you cook and shower, but opening them at these times is super helpful. This will help to stop too much mould forming as it gets colder.