If you’re battling with poor ventilation in your home, you’ve likely spotted condensation forming on your windows in the morning. This is more prevalent in autumn and winter when the cold air outside collides with the warm air inside, leading to droplets forming on cold surfaces like windows.
While not necessarily an issue in itself, if left unchecked it can result in mould growth in your home, potentially causing health problems down the line. Ensuring your home has adequate ventilation can be quite expensive, for instance by fitting extractor fans and structural ventilation.
And with soaring energy costs, you probably don’t fancy leaving the windows open all day to let air in – and warm air out. Fortunately, there’s a 10-minute daily habit that can help prevent condensation formation.
It’s as simple as opening your windows for just 10 minutes. Housing association Greatwell Homes recently took to TikTok to share advice for those who are “worried about mould” in their homes.
They explained one way to eliminate damp and condensation in your home is to “open windows for at least 10 minutes in the morning”. “This will help circulate air and help reduce indoor humidity levels,” they added.
They also advise people to refrain from drying clothes indoors or on radiators, as this can create more moisture. Instead, you should make use of any cold, dry days and dry clothes outdoors.
Employing an extractor hood when cooking can help prevent condensation, as trickling water on pots helps prevent excess moisture from escaping. Residents are advised to keep their trickle vents in windows open and wipe down walls post-shower to stop mould in its tracks.
After cooking or taking a shower, activating extractor fans for about 15-30 minutes is also recommended to diminish moisture levels. For those seeking budget-friendly options to combat dampness, moisture/dehumidifier bags are available for just over £1 each on sites like Amazon and could be an effective solution.
Sharing his experience, Durham-based TikToker Gazza Thompson mentioned: “The last two years these have been an absolute life-saver, and it’s as simple as hanging it up behind the curtain,” and he added: “Before I started hanging these up in winter I used to get horrible, horrible mould marks above the window, but now since I [started using them] no more.”