A method of preventing condensation on your windows that has gone viral on TikTok could cause serious damage to your home and be bad for your health, a plumbing expert has warned. Dozens of people have tried out the so-called hack and shared the results on the social media platform, but they have now been warned to stop using the method 'right away'.
Condensation occurs when the air inside our homes hits the cold surface of a window pane, forming water droplets. If it is left untreated it can cause mould in your home.
The TikTok hack suggests you should cover your windows with a thin layer of washing up liquid to stop condensation from forming on them. However, bathroom expert Evan Jones says rather than solving the problem, the tip could be making it much worse.
READ MORE: Expert's top tips to cut condensation in your home as cold snap hits UK
Evan, from Bathroom Supastore, said: "While the videos clearly show that they are condensation free, what they don't show is that the moisture that would have formed on those windows has now gone elsewhere."
He explains that the moisture that would have formed on the windows could instead soak into porous surfaces such as walls, ceilings and window frames, which is likely to cause mould in your home. "Removing mould from your walls is more difficult than removing it from PVC," he said. "If the mould does develop in your walls then it could cost thousands to fix and could make you very ill in the process."
He said people using the hack may notice that while their windows are clear from condensation, the rest of the home may feel "like you have a leak". He said rather than removing the moisture, that hack "simply moves it to a different area in your home".
In addition, he said, window fitters and manufacturers do not recommend using washing up liquid on windows because it can damage the rubber seals around your windows. "Failed double glazing can then cause moisture to develop in between your window pains causing the glass to fog up and mould to develop," he said. "Using washing up liquid to prevent condensation can make the situation a whole lot worse."
Evan warned: "If you are using washing up liquid on your windows to prevent condensation you need to stop right away as there are better and safer alternatives that won't damage your home or your health." To get rid of condensation for good, you need to deal with the moisture you already have, said Evan.
"One of the best ways to safely remove moisture in your rooms is to use a dehumidifier," he explained. "While dehumidifiers can be costly they will remove excess moisture from your home and reduce the chance of mould developing significantly."
Electric dehumidifiers can be noisy and costly to run long-term, but there are cheaper alternatives. Interior dehumidifiers that do not need plugging in cost around £4 each.
They contain Hydrophilic crystals that suck in the moisture from the air which helps combat damp, mould and mildew. All you have to do is place them next to your windows to get rid of condensation.
Evan said: "Interior dehumidifiers are a much cheaper option than your standard dehumidifier and one device will last four to six weeks depending on how much moisture is in your home." He added: "If you don't want to use a dehumidifier in your home you can use an old towel and a squeegee to remove condensation from your windows. While this does require some manual work it's a far better option than letting moisture soak into your walls or frames."
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