If there’s one thing motorists have in common, it’s that we’ve all had to endure the struggle of waiting for condensation to clear on car windows. To help, car experts Leasing Options have revealed five weird hacks that prevent condensation from occurring on car windows altogether.
Hack 1: Cat litter in a pair of tights soaks up moisture
Cat litter pellets are designed to absorb pet excretions, but Leasing Options swore by using this to absorb moisture in the air, too. Put fresh cat litter in a pair of tights, tie them to secure and place them on the windscreen and rear window shelf to soak up any occurring moisture.
Hack 2: Smear washing up liquid on your windows and leave to dry
A hack often used to prevent bathroom mirrors from steaming also works in the car, too. The classic tip involves rubbing neat washing-up liquid with a dry cloth onto windows and buffing them until dry. This stops condensation forming when warm air settles on the cool surface of the window. While the science behind this nifty trick could be simply getting rid of dirt on windows that moisture clings to, it’s a classic trick that’s been used by motorists for years.
Hack 3: Silica sachets reduce humidity by 40%
Ever found silica sachets in boxes of new shoes? Leasing Options suggest dropping a few silica gel packets into a box and keeping in your car to prevent moisture buildup.
When researching the science behind why this works, Leasing Options found the handy sachets often found in boxes of new shoes can absorb up to can reduce relative humidity in a closed area by up to 40%. Even better, once the sachets are heavy with moisture, they can be warmed to dry out and reused in the car again.
Hack 4: Clean windows with shaving foam prevents misting
It may seem counterintuitive, but Leasing Options even suggested slathering shaving foam across your windows, rub in with fingers then wipe off. The film left behind after wiping off prevents moisture from adhering to the window, leaving windows mist-free. What’s more is because shaving foam is so highly aerated, it keeps the film layer thin enough that it wouldn’t leave any streaks or marks that might obstruct your view of the road.
Hack 5: A plastic box filled with coarse salt absorbs atmospheric water
Salt has a high capacity of absorbing water from the environment - so why shouldn’t this work in a humid car, too? Leasing Options suggest that filling a Tupperware box of coarse rock salt is a popular dehumidifying option in homes, but can also be used in a car. To prevent the salt from spilling over, put a lid on the box and pierce holes in it to allow it to still work it’s magic.
Leasing Options COO, Mike Thompson, said: “There are many hacks for preventing moisture and some are, granted, more effective than others. Ultimately, drivers need to keep windows clean to prevent moisture from clinging to dirt. Avoid leaving wet items in the car, like damp umbrellas and jackets as these will add more moisture to the air. To de-mist your car quickly on the go, start the heaters off cold and increase the temperature gradually once the air has dried. Point the direction of your heaters to your dashboard so the air flow warms and dries any moisture sitting on the windows.”
