It’s inevitable to get condensation in your bathroom after a hot shower, but if you don’t properly ventilate the area for airflow, this can lead to all sorts of problems. Typically, such conditions encourage mold or mildew in your home, but if ignored, it can seriously affect your health if mold spores are inhaled.
I always struggle with condensation and a foggy mirror in my small bathroom, especially since the small window doesn't help. And while I don’t have the space for one of the best dehumidifiers to quickly tackle the humidity, I recently came across this unusual hack to help reduce moisture levels.
In fact, this common kitchen essential is mainly used for cooking, readily available, and costs around $1. So what is this affordable DIY hack to try out in your bathroom?
What is the aluminum foil hack?
It turns out there are so many surprising uses for aluminum foil beyond its typical role in cooking tasty meals. And experts suggest a simple hack to combat mirror condensation — placing aluminum foil on the back of the mirror to help de-fog it and prevent moisture build-up.
Typically, condensation happens when warm interior air meets a colder surface, such as glass, causing the air to cool and release excess moisture as water droplets. However, aluminum foil can reflect and evenly distribute heat across the back of the mirror, preventing such droplets from forming.
“Foil reflects and evenly distributes heat across the back of the mirror, helping to prevent the glass from cooling unevenly,” states Alex Woods, bathroom expert at Victorian Plumbing.
“Fog forms when warm, moist air from a shower meets a cooler surface, causing condensation to appear as tiny droplets. By keeping the mirror’s surface temperature more consistent, this trick reduces the chances of condensation forming.”
How does the foil hack work?
So how does this trick actually work? If you have a wall-mounted or extendable wall mirror in your bathroom, it is advised that you leave a gap between the mirror and the wall. Then, you simply add a sheet of aluminum foil at the back of the mirror, but leave the dull side facing outwards.
“Use small spacers to mount your bathroom mirror about 1–2 centimetres away from the wall,” advises Woods. “Behind the mirror, place a sheet of tin foil with the dull side facing outwards. Make sure the foil is completely hidden from view from the front of the mirror.
“This setup creates a small air gap and a reflective backing without affecting the appearance of your mirror. Plus, the air gap created by the spacers also adds insulation, further controlling the mirror’s temperature.”
While this clever foil hack offers a quick, temporary fix for moisture, I probably wouldn't suggest doing this if you have ongoing humidity issues. And if you do suspect that you have mold issues, it’s best to contact a professional for a thorough inspection and advice.
In any case, this is one of the easiest ways to reduce humidity in your home without a dehumidifier.
Top tips to reduce condensation
Of course, the first call of action(especially after a hot shower or bath) is to crack a window or door open to ensure the room is well-ventilated. Not only will this release all that extra moisture and get the air moving better, but it will also help to keep the area drier quicker.
For rooms that lack windows, switch on exhaust fans, especially in humid rooms like the bathroom, kitchen or even basement. Or you can invest in one of the best dehumidifiers to quickly tackle damp spaces. Best of all, this will save you the time and effort of wiping away at a foggy mirror or glass.
For more tips, check out these 9 ways to prevent mold in your home, or even try this one plant in the bathroom to avoid mold — here's why.
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