Condensation is starting to appear again as the weather turns, but a simple item costing 62p can prevent it for a week. A writer who tested the hack on her own windows found that the part treated with washing-up liquid stayed clear overnight.
Why condensation forms
Many households face condensation on their windows throughout the autumn and winter months as temperatures dip. The wet layer appears when warm, humid air comes into contact with a cold glass surface. Warmer air holds moisture, which can build up through cooking or showering, while cold air holds less moisture.
As temperatures drop overnight, the glass in your windows cools, and so does the air next to it. When this air cools, it turns into water droplets on your window pane, resulting in condensation.
The washing-up liquid trick
It is not wise to simply leave condensation on your windows as it can eventually cause damp and mould, resulting in a much bigger problem. You should wipe off the condensation with a dry cloth to prevent damage to the frames and the surrounding area.
However, an old hack prevents condensation in the first place, removing the need to wipe down your windows each morning. All you need is a cloth and a bottle of washing-up liquid. The writer got her washing-up liquid for 62p from Sainsbury's, yet many households will already have a bottle.
All she did was squeeze a bit onto her cloth and wipe it across the inside of her windows. She was sceptical about how well it would work, so she chose to do one half of her window and leave the other side as normal. The next day, she woke to condensation on her windows but was amazed that it hadn't appeared on the part she had covered with washing-up liquid.
How it works and what to do
It works by preventing condensation, as the washing-up liquid reduces the surface tension of water, creating a barrier. This prevents moisture from forming droplets and creating condensation on the glass.
Be careful not to use too much, as it can smear on your windows. The writer has had washing-up liquid on her window for a week, and it is still working well. She says it is a cheap and easy way to prevent condensation, and she'll be sure to cover all her other windows throughout the colder months.
What you need
- A clean, dry cloth
- A drop of washing-up liquid
Method
- Squeeze a small amount of washing-up liquid directly onto your cloth.
- Wipe the cloth across the inside glass of your windows, making sure the whole pane is covered and buff it in so it doesn't streak.
- Leave the solution to dry and do not touch it.
- The next time you get condensation, it shouldn't appear on the window.
- Repeat every week or so if condensation reappears.
