As the UK braces for chillier evenings with temperatures on a downward slide, many folks are grappling with the nuisance of condensation in their dwellings.
The phenomenon of condensation arises when warm air slams into cooler surfaces or when your home’s humidity levels are too high. This humid, warm air, upon striking a chilly surface, rapidly sheds its heat and relinquishes water in the process.
The result? Those pesky droplets that fog up your windows.
Condensation isn’t just a visual blight; it poses serious health risks mould and dust mites being prime culprits, says Envirovent. It’s little wonder, then, that people pull out all stops to fend off condensation at home.
Enter Claire, the home enthusiast who commands the attention of 174,000 followers on Instagram under the handle @forever_and_always_home. Shes become something of an internet sensation for her budget-friendly hack that promises to keep condensation at bay.
On Instagram, her cleaning insights and nifty tricks for snug interiors have amassed quite the following. But it was a tip about tackling condensation that set her account abuzz.
In a captivating reel, the influencer unveils her tip by flinging open her window blinds while the text pops up: “How to make condensation disappear!”
She follows up by dabbing dish soap onto a dry, microfibre cloth. The audience watches as she buffs her window panes transitioning from a before shot illustrating windows plastered with beads of moisture to a crystal-clear after shot.
Captioning her latest Instagram post, Claire shared: “Window hack. It’s that time of year again… As the temperature is dropping, condensation is more common in our homes.
“Applying a thin coat of washing up liquid to your windows with a dry microfibre cloth will create a barrier that avoids this from happening. This will help reduce mould and prevent damage from around your windows.”
She didn’t stop there, offering another nugget of wisdom by saying: “However, there will still be moisture in the air. I recommend opening the windows every morning to circulate fresh air. Use dehumidifiers, and leaving your door open slightly overnight will also help.”
Claire advised her followers to “top up” the washing up liquid on their windows “as required”.
Microfibre cloths are available for a mere £1.50 at Ikea for a pack of two, and Morrisons ‘Savers’ Washing Up Liquid can be snagged for just 55p.
The post was a hit among fans, with one raving: “Great tip, I’ve never heard of this before.”
Another chimed in: “I’ve done this many times, it really works.” Echoing the sentiment, a third wrote: “Works so well,” and a fourth praised: “What a fab tip, I never knew this.”
Despite the wave of approval, some sceptics voiced their concerns, with one critic pointing out: “You do realise it doesn’t just vanish? It needs to go to the next coldest place. Which will be your walls behind furniture. Enjoy the mould.”
To which Claire responded, reaffirming her initial advice: “Yes, I have mentioned this in the caption with extra tips!”
