Waking up in the morning to see the windows foggy with condensation can be a major concern, but luckily there is a very simple solution that is likely sitting in your bathroom.
Condensation happens when warm moist air hits a cold surface and needs to be dealt with quickly in the wintertime as it can lead to black mould growing on the damp spots.
One man who was fed up wiping down his window every day took to the Money Saving Expert forums to ask what was the best way to stop moisture building up on his windows.
He wrote: “Any tips to stop condensation on windows please? I did hear some suggestions last winter but cannot recall them now.”
There were many helpful comments but one clever person wrote that the easiest solution to stop window condensation was to apply a small amount of shaving soam to the inside of a window.
They wrote: “You can try coating the inside of windows with shaving foam. Apply it evenly using a cloth, don’t use too much just enough to give a thin coating. Rub in until windows become clear (will leave a slightly smeary film).
“I use it on bathroom mirrors and car windows all of which remain condensation-free for about four to six weeks. Try it on a bathroom mirror to see effect. Do not use shaving gel.”
It may seem bizarre, but shaving foam can act as a protective barrier as it contains surfactants which will reduce the surface tension to prevent water droplets from being able to form.
This is a popular hack with drivers and it is often recommended to wipe a small amount of shaving foam on car windows to prevent the glass from steaming up in the morning.
However, it should be noted that while this solution is a quick fix and works this winter, it will unlikely help long-term because the key to getting rid of window condensation for good is to improve the ventilation.
Condensation and mould can only survive in a humid and cold environment, so you will need to reduce moisture levels in a room if you wish to stop mould growth in your home.
One of the best ways to reduce moisture is to open windows during the day when it is not too cold and always turn on a fan in the kitchen while cooking or in the bathroom after showering.
One commentator on the forum said: “Heat and ventilation are the key. The hotter the room the more it can adsorb moisture.
“Insulation helps but that isn’t always practical, a dehumidifier does help as it takes excessive moisture from the air.”
If you are drying clothes indoors during the winter then use a dehumidifier but it running one is too costly then make sure to have a window open near your drying rack as this can also help stop condensation.
Another user wrote: “To reduce condensation you need to create less water vapour in the house, and effectively remove any that you do create.
“You need to fit and use extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure bathroom ones run on for about 20 minutes after a bath or shower.” When cooking, use lids on pots. Do not dry washing indoors except by using a tumble drier.”
