'No more condensation!' Homeowner rejoices after using curtain trick

Research has shown that more than a fifth of homes in Britain suffer from mould, damp or condensation.

If you are one of them, there is a curtain trick you should try before you buy a dehumidifier or freeze the house by leaving the windows open day and night.

3

3

HappiDaze wrote on Mumsnet: “The other day when the temperature dropped [and] My son's double glazing at the back of the house was covered in condensation in the morning.

“I turned up the heating a degree and made sure the curtains stayed open.

“And the next one day and no condensation since.

“We do have a humidifier that I also used during the day for the first few days [but] it's been downstairs since the laundry was dried.

“I recently also bought a window vacuum at Lidl [for] £20 which I will use if it happens again.

“So if you get condensation, keep the curtains open to keep the air moving as it worked for us.”

Other Mumsnet users were skeptical of HappiDaze's suggestion, so they added: “I was really pleased that by keeping the curtains open we didn't have to deal with the usual condensation.

“There is nothing left now and it is cold outside and warm inside. My thermostat is a maximum of 19 degrees and only seven degrees at night.

“I have my window cleaner at hand, because wiping with a squeegee and a micro cloth just didn't work in drying the bloody windows.

“No condensation on other windows.”

But does keeping the curtains open at night really prevent condensation from forming?

Interior design experts at Make My Blinds explain: “One of the biggest benefits of curtains during the colder months is that they prevent drafts from entering the home.

What causes condensation?

Condensation on windows occurs “when moist air comes into contact with the cold glass surface of windows and releases some of this moisture as water droplets onto the glass.”

Environment

“However, they also ensure that the windows they cover are not heated by central heating, which in turn can lead to condensation.

“So try to keep the curtains open at night, especially if you have blinds you can use for privacy.”

Experts at Screw mounting also recommended it as one of eight tips to stop condensation on windows.

It said: “Closed curtains are good draught stoppers, but they also prevent the window from being heated by the central heating.

“This makes the glass colder than it could be and causes condensation.

“Keeping the curtains open at night keeps the glass temperature closer to room temperature, so condensation doesn't form.