THE COLD season is well and truly here and that means two annoying things – hefty energy bills and windows dripping wet with condensation.
A common autumn and winter issue, condensation is water droplets that form on a window when moist air comes into contact with a cold surface.
Not only can this make for an unsightly mess, but these water droplets can also lead to the growth of mould – which, in some cases, can be fatal.
Amongst those most vulnerable are newborns, young kids, elderly, as well as those with respiratory issues, allergies and asthma.
As temperatures are now dropping, thousands of desperate Brits have been taking to social media to seek advice and tips on how to deal with the issue.
One of them was Kelly Bardsley who shared her woes after moving into a new house with her partner and discovering puddles of water by the windows.
Looking for handy ways to stop condensation for good, Kelly wrote: ”Me and my boyfriend moved into the house in the summer and now it’s getting colder and we’ve got the heating on we’re waking up in the morning to the walls being soaking wet as well as the window sills.
”We are having new glass fitted in the windows in a few weeks as the seals have blown.”
Kelly, from Rhyl, Wales, wondered: ”Will this alone be enough to tackle this or is there anything else we can be doing?
”Any advice would be greatly appreciated.”
Luckily for the Welsh lass – and anyone else dealing with condensation – the post was soon inundated with more than 100 responses.
Dozens of fellow members of the DIY On a Budget group flooded to the comments section of the post, where they revealed their top remedies.
One Facebook user shared a simple method that doesn’t cost a penny: ”Keep windows open a little.”
Someone else advised: ”We have same issue having to wipe them over daily.”
Another chimed in: ”My windows were the same until I replaced the windows.”
However, whilst there was a range of different solutions, one proved to more popular than any other – snapping up a dehumidifier.
One fan of the winter staple said: ”We have those cheap dehumidifiers you can get from Poundland n stuff…my partners flat had it badly when he moved in.”
A second wrote: ”This happens in my house, I have dehumidifiers that sit on the window sills and it still condensates. I have bought a window vac and it clears the condensation.”
A popular gadget for many households in the colder months, a dehumidifier works ”by drawing air from the room over a coil cooled to a very low temperature by a refrigeration system”, explained the pros at the Breathing Space.
The water vapour then condenses on the cold surface and the water drips into the collection bucket underneath.
Although the high street offers a huge variety of dehumidifiers and there’s one to fit every budget, there’s no need to fork out a fortune – as Amazon shoppers can find the winter staple for as little as £1.
Currently going for £11.99, Straame Home Interior Dehumidifier comes with ten mini dehumidifiers that will cost you a little over £1 each and they claim to be ”ideal for any room”.
Filled with special hydrophilic crystals, the handy boxes ”help absorb any moisture from the air which helps to prevent any dampness in your rooms that may cause unwanted odours”.
1. Use Salt or Cat Litter
– Place bowls of salt or silica-based cat litter in areas prone to dampness. These materials are excellent at absorbing moisture from the air.
2. DIY Dehumidifier
– Create a simple dehumidifier using a plastic container with a lid. Punch holes in the lid, fill the container with silica gel or activated charcoal, and place it in humid areas.
3. Ventilate When Cooking and Showering
– Open windows or use extractor fans when cooking or showering to let moisture escape. Even a small gap can make a significant difference.
4. Wipe Down Windows
– Regularly wipe down windows and other cold surfaces with a dry cloth to remove condensation. This prevents moisture from accumulating and causing mould.
5. Use Houseplants
– Certain houseplants, like peace lilies and spider plants, can help absorb moisture from the air. They also improve indoor air quality.
6. Keep Lids on Pots
– When cooking, keep lids on pots and pans to reduce the amount of steam released into the air.
7. Dry Clothes Outside
– Whenever possible, dry clothes outside or in a well-ventilated area instead of using indoor drying racks.
8. Open Curtains and Blinds
– During the day, open curtains and blinds to allow sunlight to warm up windows and reduce condensation. Sunlight also helps to reduce mould growth.
9. Use Towels Wisely
– Keep towels and other fabrics away from walls and windows to prevent them from absorbing moisture and becoming damp.
10. Seal Cracks and Gaps
– Use inexpensive weatherstripping or caulk to seal any cracks or gaps around windows and doors. This helps to keep cold air out and warm air in, reducing condensation.
Not only is this great for keeping ”your home smelling clean and fresh”, but the £1 buy will also ”reduce the risk of any damp, mildew, mould or condensation”.
Boasting an impressive 4.2-star rating, the tiny dehumidifiers have received more than 3,600 positive reviews from all around the world, with many giving it the maximum five stars.
One delighted customer said: ”I bought these as I have a few trouble spots around the house where damp can sometimes be an issue.
”Storage cupboards mainly and so I pop one or two of these in each and leave them for about a month until the crystals have almost disappeared and they are full of water.
”Simply peel back the material membrane, empty in the sink and then pop in the recycling
”They absorb moisture brilliantly and depending on the time of year, will dictate how often or how many you may want to use.”
Another Amazon fan penned: ”These do a solid job. I bought them just to stop humidity and moisture on my walls internally, and they do that.”
However, despite the rave reviews, not everyone was happy with their purchase, as one critic claimed the dehumidifier didn’t do anything.
”It doesn’t seem sulking up any water or damp. My previous item did show it gets heavier over the time but unfortunately this item remains the same in a very damp area…its been weeks…”
