Now that September has arrived the weather will be getting colder, and you will likely begin to notice that windows will have moisture forming on the glass inside your home.
Window condensation may seem harmless but needs to be dealt with as soon as possible as it can create dampness in homes which provides the ideal conditions for mould to begin growing.
Excess moisture on windows can also lead to window frames rotting and cause nearby wallpaper to peel, which is not only unsightly but will require costly and frequent maintenance.
However, Claire Douglas, a home interior specialist, has shared that getting rid of window condensation is easy but preventing it from becoming a long-term problem requires a little more effort.
Claire said: “If you spot window condensation in your home, dry it with an absorbent cloth or specialist window vacuum, don’t leave it to sit for any length of time as it can damage porous surfaces and eventually become mould.
“Rather than endlessly wiping condensation away there are ways to eliminate it. Let’s take one room at a time and consider what positive action you can take to stop window condensation.”
How to stop window condensation in the home
Bedroom
The key to getting rid of window condensation completely is to reduce the amount of moisture in the air, which can be difficult to do in bedrooms due to the constant temperature changes.
Claire said: “The reason bedroom window condensation is so common at night is that people often turn their heating off while they sleep, causing the room temperature to drop considerably; as we know, this results in a drop in the amount of moisture that the air can hold.
The best way to stop condensation from being an issue is to keep the heating low in the bedroom but maintain a consist temperature as cold surfaces are more likely to collect condensation.
Make sure to also never dry washing in this room as it will increase the humidity, making the room damp and uncomfortable while you are sleeping.
Kitchen
The kitchen produces the largest amount of moisture in the home due to there being many humidity sources from cooking or doing your laundry.
Claire said: “Unsurprisingly, the kitchen is a huge contributor to air moisture in the home; many kitchen appliances and cooking processes create steam as a by-product.
“If you own any of the following, you’ll know what I mean, kettle, dishwasher, hot tap, egg boiler, steamer, and even the washing machine and tumble dryer sometimes.”
The easiest way to stop window condensation is to always use an extractor fan when cooking and always use saucepan lids to prevent the amount of steam buildup.
Make sure to also open windows while cooking and keep the kitchen door closed is you are able to.
Bathroom
Bathrooms also constantly produce moisture due to the steam from showering or taking a bath which is why mould is more likely to grow in this area of the home.
One of the most effective ways to prevent window condensation is to make sure you have a properly fitted shower curtain, as it will contain the steam within an area and prevent it from spreading throughout the room.
Claire said: “I recommend investing in a good extractor fan and running it for 10-15 minutes after you have finished washing to be effective.
“If you don’t have an extractor fan, opening the window a little will help some steam escape, but it won’t eliminate condensation, I put our dehumidifier in the bathroom for an hour or two a day and it’s a total game changer.”
