WITH winter now in full force, millions of Brits have been wondering about the same thing – how to keep condensation at bay.
If you’re an avid fan of social media and are always on the lookout for cost-effective hacks, chances are you’ve probably come across one trick more than any other – using washing-up liquid.
Several people have shared the purse-friendly trick that costs a mere 69p per bottle and involves putting a little of the kitchen essential on a dry cloth and wiping it over a wet window.
According to cleaning super fans, who’ve been singing praises of the simple trick, ”it will last a few days”, leaving you with condensation-free windows.
However, as viral as the method might be, now Mrs Hinch followers have explained why applying washing-up liquid right onto your glass surfaces may not be the best of ideas.
In fact, some even claimed using this affordable household must-have will do more damage than good – and you’ll be left with a wet home.
The shocking revelation happened after one Facebook user and fan of Sophie Hinchliffe, Mary Spagatner, took to the popular Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips page and asked: ”How often should I put washing up liquid on windows to stop condensation forming?”
However, as dozens flooded to offer a helping hand to Mary, from Germany, it was soon revealed that she should best avoid this cleaning method and instead, try a different solution for the winter issue.
One warned: ”That just pushes the condensation elsewhere. Heating, ventilation and possibly a dehumidifier.”
Another chimed in, also urging Mary to avoid this hack at all costs: ”Don’t use the washing up liquid, the condensation will settle elsewhere.
”Get a dehumidifier, use trickle vents if you have them or put cat litter in a long sock.”
”The condensation will just move to your walls and flooring, I only use it on bathroom mirror,” added a third.
”Dehumidifier is great and helps your washing dry quicker. I’ve kept a few old tea towels and run round and give windows a quick wipe twice a day.”
As people flocked to comments to share their top remedies for keeping the water droplets at bay, several revealed how another cupboard essential was the perfect remedy.
One woman said: ”Salt in a bowl takes most of condensation away, I used this in my caravan.”
Another replied: ”my Mum does this too when the site closes.”
”We do that every winter when closing up our mobile until maybe March, I put down bowls of salt and newspapers, keeps it from getting mildew and damp,” a third added.
By placing bowls of regular table salt near the affected areas, it will help to absorb moisture and dehumidify your house – not only is this effective but also cheap, as you can find salt for around 70p at most supermarkets (this works out to around 10p per bowl).
Home and garden enthusiast Andy Ellis from Posh.co.uk explained: “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.”
Condensation is water droplets that form on a window when moist air comes into contact with a cold surface.
Condensation occurs when:
Air cools
Warmer air can hold more moisture than cooler air. When moist air touches a cold surface, like a window, the water vapour in the air turns into liquid water droplets.
Windows are colder than walls
Windows are often colder than insulated walls, so condensation is more likely to occur on them.
Windows are poorly insulated
Poorly insulated windows can lead to condensation, especially if they are made of aluminium, which conducts heat quickly. If left untreated, it can lead to mould and other serious problems.
Chatting with Leeds Live, the guru went on: “It’s a really easy trick that requires no effort at all. Simply fill a shallow bowl or a small jar with some salt – this can be table salt or rock salt.”
He said: “The amount you use will vary depending on the size of the window you’re placing it next to. Of course, generally speaking, the larger the window the more salt you’ll need, though usually one small bowl should be fine.
”The same bowl of salt should last you a couple of days.”
According to the expert, you’ll know it’s time to replace it because the salt will appear damp and will begin to clump together.
