Are you frustrated by the condensation on your windows or mirrors? If your kids write their names and draw pictures in the condensation on a regular basis and you’re ready for it to stop, don’t worry, there is hope!

Condensation has a way of appearing on mirrors, windows, and any tempered glass surface. It can feel mysterious when the condensation starts to appear. Where did it come from? Why is it there?

The Cause of Condensation

Condensation usually appears when there’s high moisture content in your home. Warm air often retains more moisture. Then, the moisture gathers on the coldest surfaces in the house, which are usually the windows, mirrors or other tempered glass items. This results in condensation.

The good news is that a consistent condensation may be a sign that your house is energy efficient. Because the temperature of the home is warm on the inside and cold air is kept out, and there’s little transfer of air, the moisture difference is worse. Despite the good news, you may still find the condensation pesky and annoying.

What’s the solution?

Reduce the Humidity

One of the best ways to eliminate condensation is to reduce the humidity in your home. One of the easiest ways to reduce moisture is to purchase a home dehumidifier. Experts recommend keeping the humidity in your home around 40%. However, you may need to dip below that number a bit, especially during the winter, to avoid condensation. This is because, during the winter, there are more significant differences between temperature between the indoors and outdoors.

Alternatives for reducing humidity in the home include covering sources of humidity and moisture. For example, you could cover your aquarium with a tank cover. Radiators can be covered with specially made radiator covers. This is also why it’s essential to run the fan in the bathroom when you take a shower. Showering or taking a bath with hot water can just pump more moisture into the air in your home, making the condensation problem even worse. The same goes for turning on the extractor fans when cooking. Boiling liquids in pots quickly turn into vapor that just adds more moisture to the indoor environment.

Another helpful way to reduce humidity in the home is to ventilate for 10 minutes each day. Open windows and doors, allowing the more humid air to leave while drier air enters. Alternatively, make use of ventilation fans in your home.

One last tip to reduce humidity in your home is not to air dry your clothes inside. If you must air-dry your clothing, do so in a closed room with the window open or with a ventilation fan on in the room. This will prevent the moisture from the clothes from invading the rest of your house.

Treat the Glass

A second solution is to treat the glass being affected by the condensation. Simply use a mixture of vinegar and water. You can either put an equal mixture of vinegar and water in a spray bottle or simply put it in a bowl. Then, you wipe the mixture over the surface. Afterward, you need to dry off the mixture with a paper towel.

Now, your tempered glass surface will resist condensation.

Resolving Real Moisture Issues

Sometimes, condensation can be a sign of a real moisture issue in your home. If you primarily notice that condensation appears on cold days or when you heat up your kitchen cooking, you may have normal condensation. However, if it’s a constant, you may need to consult with a contractor or ventilation expert who can help you with the condensation problem.

Too much moisture in your home can sometimes create conditions that allow mold to grow or create other issues. So, it’s best to consult with a professional if you suspect your condensation issue is more than a temperature and humidity level difference.

Reducing the humidity level in your home is usually manageable with a little effort on your part. Once you can reduce your humidity levels or treat your glass with the vinegar wash, you can enjoy looking out your clear, unfogged windows again.