‘No more condensation!’ Homeowner rejoices after waking up with dry windows every day after using curtain trick

A study has found that more than a fifth of homes in the UK suffer from mould, damp, or condensation. 

If you’re one of them, there is a curtain trick you should try before buying a dehumidifier or freezing the house by leaving the windows open day and night. 

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HappiDaze wrote on Mumsnet: “The other day when the temperature dropped [and] my sons double glazed windows at the back of the house were covered in condensation in the morning. 

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

“And the next day and ever since, no more condensation. 

“We do have a humidifier which I also used during the day for the first couple of days [but] it's been downstairs since drying washing. 

“I also bought from Lidl the other day a window Vacuum [for] £20 which I'll use if it happens again.

“So if you're getting condensation keep the curtains open to let the air move around as it worked for us.”

Other Mumsnet users were skeptical about HappiDaze’s suggestion, so they added: “I was really pleased that by keeping the curtains open we haven't suffered the usual condensation.

“There is now none whatsoever and it's chilly outside and warm inside - my thermostat is 19 degrees max and only seven degrees at night.

“I have my window vac at the ready because wiping them down with a squeegee and micro cloth just didn't cut it when trying to dry the bloody windows.

"No condensation with any other windows.” 

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

Interior experts at Make My Blinds explained: “One of the biggest advantages of curtains during the colder months is their ability to stop draughts from entering the home. 

What causes condensation?

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

Envirovent

“However, they also stop the windows they’re covering from being heated by the central heating, which in turn, can lead to condensation.

"So try and keep curtains open during the night, especially if you have blinds to use for privacy.”

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

It said: “Closed curtains are great draught excluders, but they also prevent the windowpane from being warmed up by central heating. 

“This makes the glass colder than it could be, therefore causing condensation.

“Keeping curtains open at night means the glass temperature will stay closer to the room temperature so condensation won’t form.