The 20-Second Trick To Reduce Window Condensation In The Morning

As we head into winter, those annoying droplets on your window become as much a fact of life as red noses, chilly hands and dark mornings.

It’s often especially bad when you first wake up, as the heat from your breath has lingered for hours over the cold glass.

DIY retailer Screwfix explains: “When this collision happens, the air reaches its ‘dew point’, where the moisture held in the warm air condenses and merges to become visible water droplets.”

That water can damage the sealant and frames surrounding windows, they add ― so it’s a good thing this 10-second trick can help to keep your panes drip-free.

The secret’s in the curtains

“Closed curtains are great draught excluders, but they also prevent the windowpane from being warmed up by central heating,” Screwfix explains.

“This makes the glass colder than it could be, therefore causing condensation.”

Redditor u/northyclippers shared a post complaining about the issue years ago, writing that they had “heaps more window condensation” since they installed thermal curtains.

To resolve the issue, Screwfix recommends keeping your curtains open overnight if possible. If not, thinner curtains might trap less moisture.

Double-glazed windows tend to fare better than the single-paned kinds, they add, as the layer of air sandwiched between two panes acts as a surprisingly good insulator.