Brits Urged To Keep A Bowl Of Salt On Their Windowsills This Month

With UK weather expected to remain “blustery and wet” for the foreseeable future, those in mould-prone homes might be starting to notice condensation building on their windows. 

This happens when warm air meets a cold surface, so it’s likelier to happen during chilly periods. Condensation is the most common cause of mould, which is why taking steps like “burping” your home in winter can be so beneficial. 

But if you’re not interested in leaving your windows open any longer than you strictly have to in the cooler months, fear not ― it turns out a simple bowl of salt might help. 

Can a bowl of salt help to reduce condensation?

Speaking to Homes & Gardens, archaeologist and home care expert Barry Gray from The Tool Square said a bowl of salt can help to “pull moisture out of the air, making rooms drier”.

He added, “Salt has adsorption properties, which means that it can bind to moisture and prevent it from developing condensation. This is why salt is often used in the kitchen to stop water droplets from forming on dishes or silverware.”

Rock salt seems to be particularly recommended, though absorbent bicarbonate of soda could help to do the job too. 

The baking ingredient, Cut Plastic Sheeting toldThe National, will beome hard and solid as it absorbs more and more liquid ― once it’s stiffened, it’s time to throw the powder away. 

How else can I prevent mould and condensation in my home this autumn?

Proper ventilation is key, be it through an extraction fan or an open window.

Drying your clothes outside if you can and trying not to keep spaces like cupboards overstuffed can also be helpful. 

Whatever you do, though, don’t be tempted to use bleach, Danny Pen, a heating and plumbing expert and president of New Era Plumbing & HVAC, told HuffPost UK previously. 

He warned that “bleach and vinegar can sometimes make situations with black mould even worse” because substances like bleach “only removes mould from the surface [which] leaves spores behind, and vinegar can trigger mould to release additional spores as a defence mechanism”.