Windows will stay drier if you ditch dehumidifiers for 59p cupboard staple
October is often the month when many of us first start noticing condensation building up around the house. As the evenings turn colder and we begin putting the heating on, warm, moisture-laden air from everyday activities like cooking, showering and drying clothes hits cooler surfaces – think windows, mirrors and even outside walls – and quickly turns into water droplets.
TL;DR
- Condensation occurs when warm, moist air contacts cold surfaces, common in homes during autumn.
- A social media hack recommends using bicarbonate of soda in bowls near windows to absorb moisture.
- Bicarbonate of soda is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs water vapor, reducing humidity and condensation.
- It also helps neutralize musty odors associated with dampness.
- This method is best suited for smaller areas like windowsills.
- For larger rooms or higher moisture levels, other methods like ventilation and proper heating are also necessary.
- Additional tips include short bursts of ventilation, closing doors during moisture-producing activities, using extractor fans, covering pans, avoiding indoor clothes drying on radiators, maintaining low heating levels, keeping curtains slightly open, ensuring air circulation behind furniture, fixing leaks, and reducing hidden moisture sources.