Condensation on your windows doesn’t have to be a nightmare with this easy hack.
Winter weather poses an absolute nightmare for our homes. Many of us wake up every morning to find the inside of our windows covered in water droplets and have to take time out of our busy morning routines to wipe down the surfaces.
Condensation is a common problem in the winter as cold air from outside meet the warm air inside your home, but not cleaning it can be a huge issue – as leaving water on your windows creates a breeding ground for mould.
But if you don’t have time to stand there with a cloth and wipe your windows dry, there is a simple solution you can use that actually lets the windows clear themselves.
What’s more, it takes just 10 minutes to do – and it’s already a popular practice in other countries like Germany.
In a post on Reddit, a user asked for help removing the condensation on their windows. They claimed the windows were not blown, but get covered in water every morning and wanted advice on stopping the problem.
The post received more than 450 comments, and one of the most popular suggestions was very simple – just open the windows. Not only is this completely free, but it also allows the windows to clear themselves so you can continue your morning routine without spending time clearing the condensation yourself.
One person said: “Shock ventilation. Each morning, open the windows (especially so on dry cold days) fully and all doors if you’re able. 5-10 minutes is all it takes. Then shut all the windows and doors and heat the house.”
Another added: “Is everyone missing the simplest thing you can do? Crack a window open.”
One commenter even referred to the practice of opening windows to let air circulate as Lüften. The practice is a German tradition that involves opening all the windows and doors in a home for a short time every day to let fresh air in and stale air out.
According to Ideal Home, it’s even a requirement of some old property leases in Germany as a “way to prevent damp and condensation”. The shock ventilation method, or Stoßlüften, involves opening windows and doors twice daily for 30 minutes in the summer, 15 minutes in the spring and autumn, and just five minutes in winter.
Ideal Home states: “By doing this, you can not only prevent the build-up of mould, but you can also stop it from coming back if you’ve already taken steps to get rid of it.”
Other popular methods for getting rid of condensation include using an electric dehumidifier, which sucks moisture out of the air and makes it less likely to cling to your windows. Commenters also suggested window vacuums, which can be used to clear condensation much quicker than with a towel.
One person said: “A plug-in dehumidifier will do wonders – a decent one will turn on and off as required to maintain a steady humidity level, but be warned that when first plugged in, they’ll run much more than normal due to how damp your air currently is.”
Another added: “Get a condensation vacuum. Gets rid of it. Makes a massive difference.”