A simple bathroom window hack using a common kitchen cupboard essential could help keep the glass clearer after a hot shower. Bathroom windows can quickly become covered in condensation, leaving them looking completely fogged up and covered in tiny droplets. While it is a common problem, allowing moisture to sit on the glass and around the window frame can contribute to damp and mould. However, there is a simple trick that could help reduce the amount of visible condensation on the glass – and it involves something many households already have.
How the hack works
A tiny amount of washing-up liquid can be rubbed over the window to help stop water droplets from forming across the glass. Washing-up liquid can be picked up from various retailers, with prices at supermarkets including Tesco and Sainsbury's starting from 62p and 65p respectively.
According to Allan Reid, uPVC specialist and founder of Art Windows and Doors, the unusual trick can be worth trying for anyone whose bathroom window regularly steams up. “Putting washing-up liquid on your window probably sounds a bit odd, but it can actually work quite well,” Reid said. “You only need a tiny bit. Once you spread it over the glass, it leaves a really thin layer that helps stop all those little droplets from building up.”
Application tips
The key is to avoid using too much washing-up liquid, as this could leave the glass looking greasy or smeared. Reid recommends putting a small amount onto a clean, dry cloth before rubbing it over the glass. “You definitely don’t want to cover the window in washing-up liquid,” he said. “Just put a tiny bit on a clean, dry cloth, rub it over the glass and then give it a good buff until it looks clear.”
The trick works by changing the way moisture behaves when it reaches the glass. Instead of forming lots of individual droplets across the surface, the water can spread more evenly. “Rather than loads of little droplets sitting all over the window, the moisture can spread out more evenly across the surface,” Reid explained. “So instead of your whole window looking like it has disappeared behind a cloud of steam, it can stay a lot clearer.”
Precautions and ventilation
To try the hack, the window should first be cleaned and allowed to dry completely. A tiny amount of washing-up liquid can then be placed onto a soft cloth and rubbed across the glass. Once applied, the window should be buffed with a clean cloth until no visible residue remains. Using too much product could have the opposite effect, leaving behind streaks and making the window look less clean.
Reid suggested using only a very small amount, making sure the glass is clean and dry beforehand and taking time to properly buff the surface. It is also important to tackle the source of the condensation rather than relying solely on the washing-up liquid trick. Opening the bathroom window after showering or switching on an extractor fan can help remove humid air from the room.
Heavy condensation should also be wiped away rather than being left to collect around the window frame and sill. “Washing-up liquid is not going to stop condensation completely, because you are still creating a lot of moisture when you have a hot shower,” Reid said. “But it can be a handy little trick for keeping the glass clearer and stopping it looking like it has completely disappeared behind a layer of steam.”
For bathrooms where condensation is a constant problem, improving ventilation could be more important than any quick cleaning hack. “If your bathroom window is constantly dripping with water, the bigger issue is usually the amount of moisture in the room,” Reid said. “A quick hack can help with the glass, but keeping the room well ventilated is still one of the best things you can do.”
