Plummeting temperatures this winter means that many of us will begin waking to steamed-up windows. While condensation seems like a small inconvenience it can damage your home and have negative health effects.
To combat condensation many people are turning to hacks from social media, one of which is to cover your windows in washing-up liquid to stop condensation from forming on them. But bathroom expert Evan Jones says the viral trend could actually do thousands in damage to your home.
Why does condensation occur and does the hack work?
Condensation occurs when the air inside our homes hits a cold surface of a window pane. Water droplets then form on the window and if not treated can cause mould in our homes.
The TikTok hack of adding washing-up liquid to the window aims to prevent water droplets from forming on the surface which in theory should then prevent mould from forming in your home.
Evan, from Bathroom Supastore, said: "While the videos clearly show that they are condensation free, what they don't show is that the moisture that would have formed on those windows has now gone elsewhere."
"This moisture will now soak on porous surfaces such as your walls, ceilings and window frames, which is likely to cause mould in your home. Removing mould from your walls is more difficult than removing it from PVC. If the mould does develop in your walls then it could cost thousands to fix and could make you very ill in the process."
Other dangers of using the hack
"While your windows will be clear, the rest of the room will feel like you have a leak. But that's not the only problem," said Evan. Window fitters and manufacturers do not recommend using washing-up liquid on your windows because you can damage the rubber seals which can cause your windows to fail.
Failed double glazing can then cause moisture to develop in between your window pains causing the glass to fog up and mould to develop. Using washing-up liquid to prevent condensation can make the situation a whole lot worse.
"If you are using washing up liquid on your windows to prevent condensation you need to stop right away as there are better and safer alternatives that won't damage your home or your health," said Evan.
Safer alternatives to the washing-up liquid hack
Evan said: "The biggest problem with using washing up liquid on your windows is that it doesn't get rid of moisture it simply moves it to a different area in your home. If you want to get rid of condensation then you need to deal with the moisture you already have."
"One of the best ways to safely remove moisture in your rooms is to use a dehumidifier. While dehumidifiers can be costly they will remove excess moisture from your home and reduce the chance of mould developing significantly."
If you can't afford an electric dehumidifier there are cheaper alternatives that work just as well. Traditional dehumidifiers can be expensive to run and can be noisy too which isn't ideal if you have kids at home. Interior dehumidifiers on the other hand cost around £4 and contain Hydrophilic crystals that suck in the moisture from the air which helps combat damp, mould and mildew. All you have to do is place them next to your windows to get rid of condensation.
Evan said: "Interior dehumidifiers are a much cheaper option than your standard dehumidifier and one device will last 4-6 weeks depending on how much moisture is in your home."
"While some social media users have commented that they can make theirs last longer by drilling a small hole in the bottom of them and letting the water drain out this isn't something I recommend. These devices are cheap and should be used as intended."
"If you don't want to use a dehumidifier in your home you can use an old towel and a squeegee to remove condensation from your windows. While this does require some manual work it's a far better option than letting moisture soak into your walls or frames."
