As the colder, wetter months set in across the UK, a familiar and damaging problem begins to appear in countless homes: condensation and mould. However, experts have highlighted a remarkably simple and budget-friendly solution that involves a common household item found in almost every kitchen cupboard.
The Winter Moisture Trap
From October onwards, the combination of dropping temperatures and increased rainfall creates a perfect environment for damp issues. Everyday activities like cooking, showering, and drying clothes indoors release warm, moist air into our homes. When windows and doors are shut tight against the cold, this moisture becomes trapped.
This trapped dampness inevitably turns into condensation on cold surfaces like windows and walls, which then provides the ideal breeding ground for black mould. It commonly appears on windowsills, around window frames, behind furniture, and in bathrooms.
Salt: The Natural Dehumidifier
While proper ventilation or a dehumidifier is the ideal defence, a far cheaper alternative is being recommended. Table salt can act as an effective, natural dehumidifier, absorbing ambient moisture from the air.
The method is straightforward: simply fill a bowl with ordinary table salt and place it in problem areas. Key locations include windowsills, bathrooms, or any spot where condensation tends to form or mould has been spotted previously.
The salt will gradually pull moisture from the air, becoming damp and clumpy as it does so. Once it appears saturated, it should be thrown away and replaced with a fresh, dry batch. Any type of salt will work, including the most affordable supermarket own-brand table salt.
Why This Simple Hack Works
Barry Gray, a homecare expert and archaeologist from The Tool Square, explains the science behind this method. "Salt has adsorption properties, which means that it can bind to moisture and prevent it from developing condensation," he said.
"This is why salt is often used in the kitchen to stop water droplets from forming on dishes or silverware." He added that salt's ability to pull moisture from the air makes rooms drier and less hospitable to dampness, thereby helping to prevent mould growth and other related issues in enclosed spaces.
The principle is so effective that many basic, cheap dehumidifiers available in shops are essentially little more than a plastic unit containing salt crystals, performing the same task on a slightly larger scale.
This simple hack offers UK residents a proactive, low-cost way to protect their homes from the damaging and unhealthy effects of winter mould, using an item they already own.
