It's that time of year where every morning you throw back the curtains and groan at the thought of defrosting your car and having to wipe the condensation off your windows.
As temperatures have dipped, many Brits are finding droplets forming on the inside of their windows. And while it's completely normal for that to happen, you'll want to find a way to dispel it quickly, as it can lead to a number of issues.
Over the past few weeks, we've been using a handheld device loved by celebrities like Stacey Solomon, and it leaves your windows condensation free and sparkling clean in seconds.
READ MORE: Exact date Aldi’s sell-out heated airer is back in stock ahead of New Year
Firstly, it's good to know why condensation forms on your windows in winter. As the temperature drops outside, the glass temperature in your window also drops, and when moist air comes in contact with the cold glass pane, the moisture condenses and forms water droplets.
As well as being extremely annoying, condensation may cause mould - leading to health issues - as well as peel off the paint on the edges of your windows.
Preventing or getting rid of mould is very important as it can be a health hazard for older people and younger children. But, amid a ongoing cost of living crisis, forking out more than £100 for a dehumidifier is not an option for some people, which is why this £40 device is a godsend.
And, after seeing Stacey Solomon using her Kärcher window vac on her Instagram stories, it’s safe to say that I was pretty envious of her streak-free glass. The Loose Women panellist has been using the Kärcher window vac since June 2020, having bought it as a Father’s Day Gift for partner Joe Swash.
The Kärcher WV 1 comes with a £42.99 price tag, and is a lightweight, handheld cleaner that can clean windows, mirrors, tiles and worktops year round, but in winter, it's particularly good for cleaning condensation from your windows and doors.
The window vac is really easy to set up, charge and use. To charge, it’s very much a plug in and wait situation, and when fully charged, lasts around 25 minutes.
It may not sound like a particularly long time, but our house has ten windows - five large and five small - and we could do the whole house with one charge. On average, it takes two to three minutes to do each window on the first go. But you soon master a technique that speeds up your window vac-ing experience.
We've been keeping the Karcher window vac in the bedroom so it can be used first thing in the morning to get rid of condensation. The device switches on at the touch of a button and is ready to go - it couldn't be easier to use.
I placed the blade flush against the glass and began wiping methodically in vertical and horizontal swipes, and you can hear the water being sucked up through the blade. In no time, I could hear the squeaks that told me my window was practically sparkling and free from condensation.
I was quite surprised at how quiet the window vac was, but its suction was incredibly effective, leaving no streaks behind on the glass, either. You can see how much water it's collected in the tank, too, and when clearing away condensation, it's astonishing to see just how much water clings to your windows each morning.
Particularly handy for parents of youngsters, the vac can suck up liquid spills from floors and worktops, before the contents are poured down the sink from the removable tank.
The cleaning gadget is currently on offer on Amazon for £40, down from £42.99.
READ NEXT:
- Home Bargains shoppers running to order heated airer that costs 7p to run
- I saved £35 on a hotel room with booking loophole that takes seconds to check
- Paul Heaton told 'do the right thing' after England World Cup match clashes with AO Arena gig
- Shoppers can’t get enough of 'miracle in a tube’ cream that vanishes eye bags instantly
- Aldi stocking 'perfect' mulled wine gadget than costs 68p an hour to run
