Households urged to rub washing up liquid on windows

Households across the UK are being urged to rub washing up liquid on windows around their home this winter to help prevent condensation.

Winter is now underway which means several months of short, dark days and cold temperatures, with the possibility of snow and ice as the chilly season progresses. The weather conditions are not only miserable, but the chilly temperatures can also cause problems inside your home, with condensation being a common occurrence at this time of the year. That pesky layer of water droplets dripping down your window happens when warm air inside your home meets the cold surface of the glass, turning into droplets as it cools. Not only does it leave your windows slightly foggy and wet, it can lead to a build-up of black mould and mildew which is can be damaging to both your property and your health.

But luckily, there is a quick, cheap and easy way to tackle this winter problem and the chances are you already have what you need in your house – some washing up liquid.

According to experts, rubbing a thin layer of washing up liquid on a dry window can prevent condensation from forming. This is because dish soap contains surfactants which reduce the surface tension of the water, causing it to spread out into an invisible layer rather than forming droplets.

Experts at Home Things explain: “By taking a small drop of washing up liquid and rubbing it into the condensation-prone window with a dry cloth, you can completely stop the issue altogether. The washing-up liquid forms a barrier on the surface of the windows, preventing the water from sticking. So in the space of just a few minutes, you can put a stop to the damp, mould, and mildew that wet windows can cause.”

You can pick up a bottle of washing-up liquid at Tesco for just 63p, so it’s a really cheap and easy way to tackle this common seasonal problem, but you will need to reapply it regularly as it’s not a permanent fix.

Experts at Glazing Refurbishment said: “Applying dish soap to windows can provide a temporary solution by creating a film that prevents water droplets from forming; however, it’s not a permanent fix. 

“Over time, the soap film will wear away, and the condensation may return. For a long-term solution, you need to manage the humidity levels in your building and improve insulation.”

Your heating can play a big part in how much condensation forms in your home as the warmer the air is, the more moisture it will hold. So if you heat one room to a higher temperature and leave other rooms cold, condensation can be worse in the unheated rooms.

To avoid this, the World Health Organisation guidelines suggest a minimum temperature of 21C in a living room and 18C in bedrooms, and it’s recommended that heating is left on low all day in cold weather to help control condensation.

If you do get a build up of condensation on your windows, make sure to wipe surfaces down to prevent mould forming and spreading and if you notice any black spots, give your window a clean with a mild bleach solution or anti fungal spray.