Preventing condensation

Taking these simple steps will help prevent condensation in your home.

Reduce the amount of water in the air by:

Putting lids on saucepans

Drying clothes outside

Making sure tumble dryers are vented to the outside

Putting a small amount of cold water in the bath before you turn on the hot tap

Not running your shower for longer than needed

Heat your home

Heat more evenly with a low level of heating through the day rather than quick blasts. The government recommends an indoor temperature of at least 18°C to protect your health while maintaining comfort, and that while you’re using a room, increasing the temperature to a comfortable level by turning the radiator valve up

Use thermostats to control your heating

Avoid using bottled gas or paraffin heaters

Stop water vapour spreading

Shut kitchen and bathroom doors when cooking and bathing

Use cooker hoods and extractor fans or open a window when cooking

Ventilate your home

Keep a small window open, or trickle vents open, all the time

Ventilate kitchens and bathrooms when in use by opening windows to remove the humid air

Use extractor fans if you have them, and don’t cover these up as it stops them working

Close kitchen and bathroom doors when the rooms are in use

Make sure other doors are closed, especially bedroom doors as they are normally slightly colder and will attract moisture

Ventilate cupboards and wardrobes and avoid putting too much in them as this stops air circulation

Avoid putting wardrobes against external walls

Keep furniture away from walls and allow air to circulate as much as possible