Drivers struggling with misty windscreens as temperatures drop are praising a simple gadget designed to tackle condensation inside the car, helping keep vehicles safe and road-legal during winter weather. Driving organisation the RAC has warned that demisting car windscreens is a necessity before setting off, as not doing so can 'impede your vision while driving, which means you will be driving illegally.'
Condensation forms in cars when water vapour in the air cools and condenses after coming in contact with the windscreen, causing a mist that can make winter driving challenging. While many cars have heater settings that can help ease the condensation, often this takes a few minutes of sitting in the cold waiting for the engine to warm up for them to be effective.
A Simple Solution Gaining Popularity
Thousands of drivers have picked up a simple solution to help keep moisture at bay before it starts. The Hillington Car Dehumidifier Bags are available from Amazon in a range of sizes, with prices starting at £8.49 for 2, saving buyers 15% on their purchase.
The dehumidifier bags use active carbon and are designed to absorb up to 60% of their weight in moisture, helping keep car windows clearer from condensation. As well as tackling excess moisture, the bags are designed to absorb unwanted odours from confined spaces, the site says.
Reusable and Easy to Maintain
Unlike disposable moisture absorbers, the bags can be reused multiple times. Hillington recommends wrapping the bags in kitchen paper and microwaving them for five minutes roughly every 30 days, to dry them out before using them again.
As an alternative, Argos has these AirOne Classic Dehumidifier Refills - Pack of 4 for £12. Lasting up to three months, the site says, the 680g dehumidifier granules bind moisture and reliably protect against mould and unpleasant odours.
Or at Debenhams, there's this single Dyzi Reusable Car Home Dehumidifier Bag for £10.99. This features a colour-changing moisture indicator and helps prevent condensation on windows and reduce damp-related issues. The site says it is ideal for use in cars, wardrobes, cupboards, closets, boats and other enclosed spaces, and it can be dried in a microwave, on a radiator or under sunlight.
Shopper Reviews Highlight Effectiveness
The Hillington Car Dehumidifier Bags have more than 10,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.2 out of five stars on Amazon and have been an annual bestseller on the site once colder weather hits. One driver described them as 'a winter car essential'. They continued: "I was having issues over the winter of ice forming in the inside of my car and these have helped a lot. Very easy to use."
Another described them as a 'brilliant buy,' adding: "I keep mine one in the boot and one in the door side pocket - I used them all last winter and was surprised at how effective they were. You can easily see when they need refreshing and with a quick microwave or dry on the radiator, which I found actually better, they are ready to be put back in the car. Highly recommended - I bought another pair for a friend's car."
Another described them as a 'game changer'. They said: "I used to spend ages de-misting my car windows. Now it takes no time at all and, in most cases, I can just drive off."
While the bags come in a range of sizes, only some of them come with mats to secure them to the dashboard though, so it's important to choose the correct option depending on the size of area you're trying to keep moisture free. One shopper who didn't do this commented: "Smaller than I thought and had no non-slip mat with them."
However, another wrote: "Bought these for winter use. With wet feet and umbrellas going in and out of the car, I was experiencing condensation build-up, but now I have these it has stopped. Amazing improvement."
