There are all sorts of unusual methods for clearing condensation – from smearing the glass with washing-up liquid to putting salt on your windowsill. But do any of them actually work?
Having suffered from window condensation for years, we wanted to see if any of these methods were effective – and whether they could replace our trusty dehumidifiers or not.
With our myth-busting hats on, we decided to try five popular methods on our windows: using salt, rice, washing-up liquid, and vinegar, as well as moving plants away from the glass. To find out what we discovered – and if any of them really worked – keep reading.
1. Washing-up liquid
I wiped all the panes with the washing up liquid
Water still formed on the panes for the next two days
One of the most common myths is that washing-up liquid can stop condensation on windows.
How it is claimed to work: This apparently forms a barrier on windows that prevents the water from sticking. I gave this a try by applying a generous dollop of Fairy Liquid to my windows for two consecutive nights and leaving it for a couple of days.
Verdict: Disappointingly, this had no impact on the condensation levels, with water still forming on the edges of the window panes. On a positive note, it did at least gave my windows a nice clean and made them smell fresh.
2. Vinegar
My windows have been susceptible to condensation for years
The water build-up was less obvious than the other bedrooms
Behind the curtain there was a massive build-up, of condensation, which was even more than before
Another myth that was tested was vinegar.
How it is claimed to work: Vinegar is thought to help reduce condensation due to its mild acidity, which can supposedly dissolve minerals and salts that contribute to moisture build-up. This potentially improves the glass’s ability to regulate temperature and normal humidity. Some also believe that vinegar can absorb moisture from the air, further reducing condensation on the window surface.
Verdict: To my surprise, the level of condensation appeared to decrease in some areas and it removed some excess water from the windows. However, it didn't eliminate the condensation entirely – only reduced it slightly. And when it came to the part of the window behind the curtain, the level of water build-up was actually increased (as seen in the third picture above).
3. Moving plants
Plants release water into the air which can rest on windows
I removed the plants for two days to see the impact
The final bedroom still had condensation on every window pane
Another theory is that moving plants away from your window could reduce (or even stop) condensation on windows altogether.
How it is claimed to work: Plants release moisture into the air, which can accumulate on cold glass surfaces if the plants are near a window.
Verdict: One of the bedrooms is used as an additional garden room, containing a wide variety of indoor plants, including spider plants, yuccas, alocasias, and mother-in-law’s tongue. I moved all of them outside the bedroom to observe the impact over 24 hours. However, I still woke up to condensation on the windows, with no noticeable change – the condensation remained clearly visible.
Bear in mind that some plants can help absorb water, so be sure to check before removing them from your room.
4. Rice
Condensation regularly builds on my kitchen window
I was impressed with how quickly the condensation disappeared
Some people say that if you put rice on your window sill, it will reduce and prevent any condensation.
How it is claimed to work: Since rice is hygroscopic (a.k.a. a material that absorbs moisture from the air), it’s said to help with window condensation. Simply fill a bowl or a breathable bag with rice, and put it underneath the glass.
Verdict: I placed a cup of rice on my kitchen's window ledge and the condensation had cleared within four minutes and 58 seconds (around 10 minutes faster than when I tested it without rice). I noticed that the rice had gained 32g in weight, which clearly shows it absorbed some moisture. I also experimented with using it as a preventative measure, but it didn't completely stop the condensation from forming.
While I wouldn’t recommend completely ditching your dehumidifier for this hack, it could be a handy solution for small-scale condensation – especially since it costs around 52p!
5. Salt
I was skeptical that the salt would make any significant improvements
The salt made little difference to how long it took for the condensation to clear
For the final test, I checked whether rice could help reduce condensation on my windows.
How it is claimed to work: Like rice, salt is a hygroscopic material, so some people claim that it can absorb excess moisture in the air, which leads to condensation.
Verdict: I put a cup of salt on the same window as before to see how long it would take to clear my steamy glass. The result was 12 minutes and three seconds – only about three minutes faster than without it. While it did make a slight difference, it’s probably not enough for me to do this regularly.
Final verdict
We found limited success when testing five popular condensation hacks.
While the rice significantly sped up the time it took for my condensation to clear, and the vinegar showed some improvement in moisture levels, the other methods had no noticeable impact.
These results suggest that tackling condensation may require more robust solutions, such as improving ventilation, installing an extractor fan, or investing in a dehumidifier.
Chris Michael, CEO of Meaco, confirms: [Condensation hacks] are as useful as a chocolate teapot! They are limited solutions and have little to any effect. They cannot meaningfully reduce condensation or humidity in a home where ventilation or a dehumidifier is required."
Chris has been advising on humidity solutions and dehumidifiers since 1991 and is well known within the dehumidifier industry across the world as a lead on innovation and sustainability.
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While the results of this experiment were a little disappointing, it might be worth trying the rice hack at home – considering it had some effect and is so cheap to buy.
However, if you're looking for a long-term solution that tackles excess moisture completely, we've tested the best dehumidifiers on the market to help you choose the right model. Alternatively, if you're not sure where to begin or which type of device is best suited to your home, it's worth learning the difference between desiccant vs compressor dehumidifiers.
