The shorter, darker days have arrived along with the changeable autumnal weather, which brings with it bouts of rain, strong winds and a crisp chill in the air that means the heating now needs to be switched on.
The cooler temperaures, particularly overnight, means waking up to find a layer of condensation on your windows is now becoming a familiar sight and is a problem that will persist into the winter months. Condensation forms when warm air inside your home meets cold surfaces like windows and external walls, and this then turns to water droplets as it cools. Keeping windows and doors closed to stay warm in autumn can exacerbate this problem as it traps humid air inside, while daily tasks like cooking, showering and drying clothes can also add extra water into the air.
The sitting water can lead to problems like mould and mildew around your window, which, if left unchecked, can be damaging to your health. But there is a cheap and simple solution that can help keep your windows dry this autumn and prevent condensation from developing, and that’s salt.
You don’t need a fancy and expensive dehumidifier to absorb moisture from the air in your home as salt can do the job for you and you’ll likely already have some sitting in your kitchen cupboard.
Salt has excellent moisture-absorbing properties and if placed strategically around your home, it can be used to soak up water vapour from the air, keeping your windows free of condensation as a result.
Experts recommend placing a bowl of salt (you can use regular table salt or rock salt) on windowsills around your home and leave this to absorb the moisture from the air. This will help to keep the air around your window drier and reduce the amount of water droplets that form on the glass.
In its online advice on tackling condensation, home improvement website The Spruce said: “Placing a bowl of salt near the window can help to absorb moisture in the air before it can condense on the windows, though the amount of salt needed and the frequency with which you will have to replace the salt depends on the level of moisture inside the home.”
Condensation becomes more common as homes heat up and outdoor temperatures drop and if moisture is left to build up, it can lead to damp patches, mould, and possible health risks.
Your heating can play a big part in how much condensation forms in your home as the warmer the air is, the more moisture it will hold. So if you heat one room to a higher temperature and leave other rooms cold, condensation can be worse in the unheated rooms.
To avoid this, the World Health Organisation guidelines suggest a minimum temperature of 21C in a living room and 18C in bedrooms, and it’s recommended that heating is left on low all day in cold weather to help control condensation.
If you do get a build up of condensation on your windows, make sure to wipe surfaces down to prevent mould forming and spreading and if you notice any black spots, give your window a clean with a mild bleach solution or anti fungal spray. Placing a bowl of salt on your windowsill to absorb the moisture will help to tackle this problem over the coming months.
Experts at Lottomart said: “Regular condensation build-up isn’t just unsightly – it can become a breeding ground for mould, which poses risks to household health.
“The method is really easy to follow. All you need to do is fill a small bowl or jar with table salt and place it on your windowsill. Once the salt clumps together, that’s your sign to replace it with a fresh batch to keep it working effectively.”
