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 a 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.

Download our guides to condensation and mould here: 

What can you do to reduce it?

1. Try to produce less moisture

  • Try to dry your washing outside whenever you can. You can hang drying items 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 treat mould 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.