Condensation and mould are common occurrences with the winter weather in close reaching distance. This unavoidable issue occurs when cool window glass meets the warm, moist air inside your home.
If not addressed, window condensation can lead to mould and mildew build-up, which can be tough to eliminate and potentially harmful to health.
It can also cause rot in wooden window frames and even result in dampness or damage to your property.
Fear not, though, as Britain’s renowned cleaning guru Lynsey Crombie, also known as the Queen of Clean, has a straightforward solution to keep condensation at bay, a method passed down through her family.
In an Instagram video, Lynsey said: “Mum’s old school, was a cleaner…both my nan’s were cleaner and they swear by it. Cleaning is definitely in my blood.”
So, how do you tackle window condensation? According to Lynsey, once you have window condensation, you’ll need to consistently remove the water layer from your windows using a super absorbent cloth and washing up liquid.
Lynsey advised: “Basically, what you need to do is wipe the water off every morning. A good thick microfibre cloth to just get it off. Open the window as well, and let the window actually dry…Make a priority of every morning just going around the house with your microfibre cloth.”
Pour a tiny amount of washing-up liquid onto your microfibre cloth and rub it all over the glass on your window. This will create a barrier that will stop the condensation, and you are unlikely to get smears or streaks in the window glass since you are using a small amount of dish soap.
Lynsey added: “This tip is very similar to shaving foam on the shower screen. You’re creating a barrier which is going to stop the water from sticking to it.”
In a previous blog post, Lynsey reveals how effortlessly you can prevent window condensation. The key, she says, is to reduce humidity in your home.
For those drying laundry indoors during the colder months, Lynsey advised: “Dry clothes outdoors or in a room with good ventilation, open a window slightly, turn off the radiator, and place your drying rack in front of a bright window to help dry faster.” She suggested: “Close the door off to this room whilst the window is open.”
Alternatively, look at heated clothes dryers. This has become more common due to the cost of using tumble dryers.
The cleaning guru told her followers that if window condensation is a concern during the nippy weather, they should consider getting a dehumidifier.
She reassured: “In case you were wondering, dehumidifiers use very little energy to run, so you won’t see a big hike in your energy bills and many have an auto shut-off feature which helps if you are using overnight.”
