Bitter cold mornings are hard enough, but seeing your windows fogged up can make waking up even worse, as all that condensation will quickly become a problem if you do not stop it. Condensation occurs when warm indoor air becomes saturated with moisture and comes into contact with extremely cold surfaces, causing water droplets to form on the glass.
Having a bit of water on your windows might not sound like a big problem, but excess moisture creates the perfect environment for mould spores, which can become airborne. I live in an old Victorian home, and a few winters ago, mould started growing on my windowsill and quickly spread to a nearby wall. It took me months to get rid of the bedroom mould, and after all that effort, I now tackle condensation as soon as it appears in autumn, since all you need is a little salt.
Why use salt to prevent window condensation?
Salt might sound like an unlikely fix, and when I first heard about using it, I was sceptical, but I have been using it for years, and it has been the best way to keep water off my windows.
Autumn is when condensation starts to become an issue, as we have our windows shut because it is so cold, but moisture will still build up in homes without a way to escape.
Everyday tasks like showering or cooking will cause moisture in the air, but at this time of year, humidity is even worse because most of us are drying our clothes indoors.
I have found that placing a bowl of salt on my windowsill is effective, as salt is highly absorbent and helps pull water vapour from the air before it can reach the glass pane.
Using salt keeps condensation off my windows without me having to dry them every day, and it has been the cheapest way I have found to prevent mould in my home.
How to keep condensation out of your home
All you need to do is buy a box of plain table salt from a local supermarket and then fill a bowl halfway. Place it on the windowsill, away from the curtains. Check it occasionally and replace it if it starts looking damp or clumpy, as that means the salt has worked to keep condensation away.
However, it should be noted that salt will be more effective if you also open the window for at least a few minutes every morning, even if it is chilly outside.
Bedrooms tend to become quite humid as humans release a lot of moisture while breathing, and it can build up in the air as we sleep, which is why windows often look foggy in the morning.
I take a few minutes to open my bedroom window to air it out when I first wake up in the morning, and then replace the bowl of salt about once a week.
It has been the easiest way to keep my windows clear throughout the colder months, and I am happy to say that ever since I started doing this, I have never had a mould problem in my bedroom again.
