Simple and Cheap Ways to Stop Condensation on Windows

If winter mornings weren’t miserable enough already, there’s that moment you open the curtains and see the windows dripping. Again.

I used to come home from night shifts, pull the curtains back and feel my mood drop instantly. Every pane soaked. Sills wet. 15–20 minutes with a cloth before I’d even had a coffee. It felt normal at the time. It isn’t.

If you’re searching how to get rid of condensation on windows, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common cold-weather problems in UK homes. The good news? You don’t need new windows or a full renovation. Most condensation can be reduced cheaply with a few practical changes.

Here’s what actually works.

Why do windows get condensation?

Condensation happens when warm, moist air hits a cold surface. In winter, windows are usually the coldest part of your house, even if you have double glazing.

Modern UK homes are built (or upgraded) to keep heat in. That’s great for energy bills, but it also traps moisture. And we create more moisture than we realise:

• Showering
• Cooking
• Drying clothes indoors
• Boiling kettles
• Even breathing while we sleep

Bedrooms often have the worst condensation in the morning because you’ve been breathing into a sealed room for 6–8 hours.

As a general rule, indoor humidity should sit between 40% and 60%. Once it regularly climbs above that, window condensation and mould become far more likely.

Why you shouldn’t ignore window condensation

It’s tempting to treat condensation as just a winter annoyance. It isn’t.

Left unchecked, excess moisture can lead to black mould, peeling paint, damaged seals and rotting window frames. In severe cases, moisture can penetrate plaster and brickwork.

There’s also a health angle. According to the National Health Service, mould spores can trigger allergic reactions, breathing issues and asthma flare-ups. If you’re wiping windows every morning, the problem isn’t cosmetic. It’s a moisture imbalance in your home.

The cheapest ways to stop condensation on windows

If you just want the short answer, here’s what actually works and roughly what it costs.

Now let’s break that down properly.

Improve ventilation (without freezing the house)

Ventilation helps moisture escape, but flinging windows wide open all day just sends heat – and money – outside.

If your windows have trickle vents, keep them open. They won’t solve a major moisture problem, but they allow steady airflow without huge heat loss. We have them fitted and while they’re not miracle workers, they do take the edge off.

Opening windows for 10–15 minutes in the morning (especially in bedrooms) can help clear overnight moisture. Just don’t leave them open all day in January unless you enjoy high heating bills.

Use a dehumidifier (the most effective fix)

If you want to properly reduce condensation on windows, a dehumidifier is the strongest solution. It removes moisture from the air, tackling the root cause rather than just wiping away the symptoms.

I’ve used both Meaco and PureMate models. My old Meaco lasted five years before giving up. I now use the PureMate 20L dehumidifier. It’s a little heavy, but it’s on wheels, so I can move it around. But it works well and is fairly quiet.

What to expect:
• £100–£200 upfront
• Around 10–20p per hour to run (depending on model and electricity prices)
• A water tank to empty regularly

Many models have a laundry mode, which is brilliant in winter if you dry clothes indoors.

If condensation is happening across multiple rooms, this is usually the answer.

Try moisture absorbers for small rooms

If a dehumidifier feels like overkill, moisture absorber tubs are a cheaper option.

They sit on windowsills and use disposable tablets to draw in water. Each tablet lasts around 6–8 weeks and costs roughly £3–£4.

They’re not pretty. They’re not powerful. But for light bedroom condensation, they help.

One lesson from experience: don’t leave them in the bathroom. I once put one near the toilet and it somehow managed to absorb toilet water. Not my finest moment.

This is the current model we use in one of our rooms.

Avoid drying clothes indoors (if you can)

Drying washing inside is one of the biggest causes of window condensation.

If you have no choice:

• Use an extra spin cycle
• Dry clothes near a window
• Keep a door closed
• Run a dehumidifier in the same room

A heat pump tumble dryer is the best indoor option long term. They’re expensive to buy, but much cheaper to run than older vented dryers.

If you’re weighing up drying options, it’s worth comparing costs properly. I’ve broken that down here: which is cheaper – a dehumidifier or a tumble dryer?

Keep moisture contained in kitchens and bathrooms

Most household moisture starts in the kitchen and bathroom.

When cooking or showering:
• Keep the door shut
• Use extractor fans
• Open a window briefly afterwards

Stopping steam spreading through the house makes a noticeable difference.

Keep heating steady

Constant low-level heating can reduce condensation by preventing cold surfaces forming in the first place. It works best in insulated homes.

It does increase energy use though, so it’s not always the cheapest solution. If you’re reviewing heating costs, you might also want to look at whether you should leave your hot water on constant.

What About Bubble Wrap on Windows?

You might have seen people sticking bubble wrap directly onto their windows in winter.

Yes, it can help — but it’s important to understand what it’s doing.

Bubble wrap doesn’t remove moisture from the air. It simply insulates the glass slightly, which can reduce how cold the surface gets. Warmer glass means less visible condensation forming on the pane.

It can be useful if:

• You have single glazing
• You’ve got older double glazing
• One particular room always feels colder

But it’s not a fix for high humidity. If the air in your home is damp, condensation will just appear somewhere else — frames, walls, ceilings.

I’ve explained exactly how it works (and when it’s worth doing) in my guide to bubble wrap on windows and condensation.

Think of it as a comfort tweak, not a moisture solution.

Remove condensation properly

Even with everything set up well, you’ll still get the occasional bad morning.

Cloths work, but they’re annoying. I switched to a Kärcher window vac and wouldn’t go back. It clears a full window in seconds and empties straight into the sink. It also doubles as a window cleaner, so it’s not a one-trick pony.

It doesn’t fix humidity, but it makes dealing with it far quicker.

What’s the best way to stop condensation on windows?

If you want the most effective overall solution, a dehumidifier wins. It reduces humidity across your home and prevents mould forming.

In our house, the combination works best:
• Dehumidifier for general moisture
• A moisture absorber in one awkward room
• A window vac for the odd cold snap

Since doing that, mould has completely disappeared.

Condensation won’t solve itself. If you ignore it long enough, mould follows. And that’s a bigger, more expensive problem.

If you’re trying to cut costs around the house this winter, tackling condensation properly can protect your home and avoid bigger repair bills later.

How to tackle mould

Condensation forming on the uPVC will eventually migrate to the wall and sill, causing black mould. If this happens, use something like HG Mould Remover and a preventer spray to stop it from returning.

Then, if you can afford it, a dehumidifier will really help. Take a look at my post on dehumidifier running costs to find out more.

Further reading

Why not look to see whether you should leave your hot water on constant.

FAQs