Don’t let condensation and mould become a problem this autumn (Image: Getty)
Temperatures around the country have begun to drop, and with the onset of autumn and storms bringing adverse weather, there are a few issues that may arise around the house. The likes of condensation will be appearing on windows again, and if it’s not resolved, it can lead to issues that are much worse, namely, mould.
Mould can develop when it’s given an environment to thrive in, where there’s warmth and moisture. Getting on top of condensation can require investment, but the consumer experts at Which? shared a surprising habit that everyone can pick up to alleviate the build-up of humidity in homes. In a recent video, Which? Said: “Have you got a damp Haus? Well, this is what the Germans would do about it.”
Open every window in the property for five minutes twice a day (Image: Getty)
How to prevent mould and condensation in homes
This simple hack isn’t for the faint hearted, but it’s quick and completely free to do. According to Which?, the Germans swear by it. Which? said: “Some ways of conquering damp can be expensive or require a fair bit of DIY. Germans have a great habit that anyone can get into. Stoßlüften. Literally: ‘Shock ventilation’.”
The technique will require you to wrap up warm – or not, if you can withstand the cold temperatures. To complete the hack, Which? explained: “Wrap up warm, run around the house and open all your windows wide for five minutes twice a day. Yes, even in the freezing cold.”
Every morning, open up all the windows in your property and leave them open for at least five minutes. This should be done twice a day, no matter how bad or cold the weather has become.
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Every morning, open up all the windows in your property and leave them open for at least five minutes. This should be done twice a day, no matter how bad or cold the weather has become.
Which? continued: “The warm, damp air in your home will quickly get replaced with cold, dry air. When you’re sealed back up again, the temperature should quickly get back to comfortable, but now the moisture in the air is banished and won’t be condensing in damp patches on your walls and windows.”
This is a daily habit that everyone can pick up and use throughout the autumn and winter months. Appliance brand Meaco explained that this hack can also have wellbeing benefits, as well as making your home more energy efficient.
Meaco wrote: “As building standards improved and homes became more energy efficient, the approach evolved into ‘Stoßlüften’, which means ‘shock airing’. This version involves opening windows wide for a short, intense period of time to replace stale indoor air with clean outdoor air.
“When every window in the home is opened at once, the process is known as ‘Querlüften’, or ‘cross ventilation’. This allows air to flow freely from one side of the property to the other, providing an even faster exchange.”
The introduction of fresh air can help remove pollutants, reduce odours, and make your home feel noticeably fresher from a property.
