How to Avoid Condensation

Condensation is more than a simple annoyance that homeowners face – it can be quite a problematic menace! The accumulation of moisture from the water droplets leads to decaying window frames, stained corners, and mold.

Damp walls are especially bad if you have wallpapers, and let’s not even talk about the musty smells that arise from the black mold near the window sills. In short, condensation is far from ideal! But you probably didn’t need us to tell you that.

If you’ve clicked on this article, you most likely only care about one thing – how to combat (or otherwise prevent) the annoyance! Luckily, we’ve gathered a few tips from experts on the topic. Let’s dive in together!

Invest in a Dehumidifier

The most crucial aspect of keeping condensation at bay is maintaining proper moisture levels – that is to say, having as little moisture as possible. Ventilating your household is but one part of the equation, as opening your windows can only do so much!

Enter – the dehumidifier! Up there amongst the best inventions of modern times, the dehumidifier should be everyone’s first consideration when it comes to battling moisture. Modern dehumidifiers don’t use too much energy, so you won’t have to worry about spikes in electricity bills.

Of course, leaving a dehumidifier on all night would be somewhat unwise, which is why smartphone applications exist. Simply set the timer for when you want the device to be activated and deactivated, even when you’re away.

Open Drapes and Blinds

Moisture gets easily trapped thanks to drapes and blinds, especially overnight. Water droplets start building up because of the lack of heat flow (and therefore air circulation) since most curtains and blinds are thick, thus creating a barrier that’s just “perfect” for moisture.

Now, this may seem counterproductive – after all, you own your curtains not just for their looks but for their functionality too. If keeping drapes and blinds open overnight is too much of an ask, invest in thinner material! Streetlight annoyance and privacy concerns are two huge factors, but that doesn’t mean you can’t opt for thinner curtains or bamboo blinds.

Prevent Humidity from Travelling

Our bathrooms and kitchens play a big part in the moisture game, so to speak. Whenever they’re in use, make sure to close the doors to trap the humidity in one place.

In addition to this, your cooking should (if possible) be done while the windows are open. Reducing steam is one other massive plus in controlling moisture, so try cooking with lids on more often.

Clothing also contributes to condensation since too many damp clothes in one unventilated room can be a disastrous recipe. A musty-smelling one, to boot. You should definitely dry your clothes outside whenever you can; in other scenarios, select extra spin cycles to wring out excess moisture from clothing.

Leave Exhaust Fans On

Too many people make this novice mistake. They think that exhaust fans exist only to be turned on during the cooking process (or shower session) and turned off immediately after. Unfortunately, this is far from suitable with regard to keeping moisture low.

Exhaust fans should be left on for a certain period of time – preferably one to two hours – in order to circulate the air around the room effectively. For bathrooms, it is especially beneficial if you leave the fan(s) on overnight, despite the added electricity expenditure.

Some Closing Advice

Ventilation, circulation – the common theme here is change. Fresh air maintains the balance between humidity and dryness. If you live in a small flat without an extractor fan or air bricks, you can still drastically reduce the condensation menace by keeping your windows open for over twenty minutes daily.

Other investments you could consider include a heated clothing airer and better heating equipment. Some unorthodox methods for keeping condensation near windows to a minimum include putting a bowl of salt near the sill, or even little bags of silica.