Condensation is a nuisance in every sense of the word. It’s unsightly, damp and, worst of all, a recurring issue in many households.
Prompted by cold weather, condensation is a common problem in the UK because of high humidity levels and a lack of ventilation.
It’s almost impossible to resolve without spending a fortune on central heating or ending up uncomfortably cold in the winter months due to leaving the windows open.
A dehumidifier is one of the most powerful ways to control condensation in a home, and experts love it. So, of course, if you’re considering investing, there’s no doubt it will make a difference.
But salt is a popular suggestion for those on a budget or curious about quick-fix home remedies like myself.
The recent ice blast that’s swept the UK fuelled the urge to give it a go, as I noticed an increased amount of watery residue in my bathroom every morning and evening.
To follow recommendations from experts like the savvy team at Posh.co.uk, a home and garden furniture brand, I filled a small bowl with salt and placed it on the ledge of my windowsill.
Posh.co.uk’s home and garden specialist, Andy Ellis, noted: “Salt has the ability to naturally absorb moisture from the air and essentially dries it out so that when it does come in contact with the glass, there are less droplets of condensation that will form.”
He elaborated: “It’s a really easy trick that requires no effort at all. Simply fill a shallow bowl or a small jar with some salt – table salt or rock salt.”
All the suggestions I encountered from property experts stressed the importance of adjusting the amount of salt used to suit the window size. “Generally speaking, the larger the window, the more salt you’ll need, though usually one small bowl should be fine,” said Andy.
I opted for a small cup filled with table salt; rock salt is much more expensive. Though looking back, it probably wasn’t enough.
That said, the effects were instant, with less condensation pooling on my bathroom windowsill the following morning.
While there was still some condensation in my bathroom after my shower the evening after I placed the cup of salt, I that it dried up much more quickly overnight.
The evidence was clear by the top of the windowsill appearing almost completely clear. A little water had gathered on the windowsill, but much less than before I tested the salt hack.
Andy’s suggestion that “you’ll know when it’s time to replace [the salt] because the salt will appear damp and will begin to clump together” was, in fact, correct.
By day two, after the salt had been in the bathroom, I noticed that it had turned a bit more solid, but after shaking it back into fine crystals, it continued to work for another two days.
I combined the cup of salt with another handy item—a Himalayan salt candle holder. The solid and slightly heavy item was originally purchased as decor, but it’s now been put to good use in the bathroom.
The candle holder sits in a bowl so I can measure the full effects of its moisture-absorbing capabilities when illuminated with a tealight candle.
Salt candle holders can help reduce condensation in your home because salt is hygroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture from the air.
It should be noted that salt candle holders cannot significantly reduce condensation when not lit because their ability to absorb moisture from the air relies on the heat generated by the candle, which evaporates the absorbed moisture.
When not lit, they will still absorb moisture but may not evaporate it quickly enough to make a noticeable difference.