Reduce condensation in your home

What is condensation and what causes it?

Every home gets condensation at some time - usually when lots of moisture and steam are being produced such as bath times, when cooking meals or washing clothes.

The air can only hold a certain amount of water vapour - the warmer it is, the more it can hold. If this is cooled by contact with a cold surface such as mirror, a window or even a wall, the water vapour will turn into droplets of water - condensation.

Condensation can cause black mould on walls, furniture, clothes and curtains. The mould looks bad and can even damage your health.

What can you do to reduce it?

1. Produce less moisture

  • Try washing outside the property whenever you can. You can also hang it in the bathroom, keeping the door closed and the window wide open.
  • Permanently vent your tumble drier to the outside of your home, using a suitable kit recommended by the manufacturer of the appliance.
  • While cooking, always cover pans and don't leave kettles boiling.

2. Ventilate well to remove moisture

  • When a room is in use, keep a small window and/or a trickle vent open
  • Ventilate bathrooms and kitchens by opening the window even for short periods of time after use.
  • Keep bathroom and kitchen doors closed even if they have extractor fans.

3. Insulate and heat your home

  • Keep your home warm with insulation, draught proofing and heating: this reduces the risk of condensation.
  • A constant, low-level form of heating provides the most economical form of heat and reduces the likelihood of condensation.

4. How to help yourself

  • Treat and remove the mould using a fungicidal product available in DIY stores.
  • Wipe down windows, frames and other affected areas with the fungicidal wash taking care to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.