Can’t quite see outside the windows first thing in the mornings?
It might not just be your brain struggling to wake up — at this time of year, with the arrival of colder weather, it is likely to be the dewy manifestation of condensation on the insides of your windows.
Condensation, which are water beads that form when hot moist air meets a cool surface, manifests on our windows in the colder months due to warm air from inside the home hitting the cold glass windows.
While condensation is mostly harmless, if your windows aren't maintained, the moisture could develop into dangerous mould that can cause health issues like asthma, eczema and bronchitis.
That’s why experts and cleaning gurus have offered plenty of tips on how to rid your home of the hazy look on the windows.
What causes window condensation?
The main cause of window condensation is excess moisture in the air.
As autumn morphs into winter, the surface of your windows are likely to be lower in temperature than the air inside due to the cold air chilling the glass panes from outside.
That results in the vapour cooling down, turning to water and pooling on the glass surface.
Moisture in the air is simply the result of day-to-day activities such as cooking, showering and even breathing.
A stuffy house with little ventilation is another factor in waking up to wet internal windows.
If your house suffers from damp and high humidity, you are more likely to see window condensation.
How do you get rid of condensation on your windows?
From changing where you dry your clothes to buying a dehumidifier, there are a host of remedies to try if you’re experiencing bad condensation.
Here are some that have been mentioned on the popular Mrs Hinch Facebook group by its 214,000 members:
- Upgrade your bathroom and kitchen extractors — the more efficient they are, the less moisture will escape to the windows.
- Buy a dehumidifier — they can wick away moisture and can prevent vapour turning into liquid if placed near windows.
- Avoid drying your clothes indoors — doing so greatly increases the amount of interior moisture in the property.
- Buy a moisture absorber — available for less than £9, these devices trap vapour and eliminate damp odours.
- Relocate houseplants — move them to less humid areas of the house or near a dehumidifying device.
Heating and insulation
Adam Pawson, head of digital at Safestyle, the UK’s leading window supplier, has shared tips on how heating and insulation changes could cut down on glass moisture.
He said keeping the temperature inside the home as consistent as possible can be helpful in preventing condensation.
“Having a warm and well-maintained home is an unlikely environment for mould growth,” said Mr Pawson.
Installing double glazing, wall insulation and draught-proofing could help to reduce the amount of heat that is lost from your home, he added.
Double glazing, however, can still suffer from condensation if the inner windows are not properly sealed, allowing air to get in between the panes of glass.
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