Excess moisture and condensation can lead to various issues, from unsightly dampness to harmful mould growth. To help you tackle these challenges head-on, we’ve compiled a list of ten proven strategies that will prevent condensation and create a healthier living environment for you and your family.
In this article, we’ll explore various techniques that address both the root causes and visible symptoms of condensation. By implementing these measures, you’ll not only say goodbye to the condensation on windows and dampness on walls but also safeguard your property from the detrimental effects of mould, ensuring a comfortable and healthy living space for years to come.
So, whether you’re dealing with a persistent condensation problem or seeking preventive measures, join us as we delve into the ten essential strategies that will empower you to conquer condensation, eliminate dampness, and maintain a mould-free home.
Table of Contents
How condensation in your home occurs
Condensation occurs when warm, moisture-laden air comes into contact with a cold surface, converting water vapour into liquid droplets. Temperature differentials and relative humidity primarily drive this process.
When warm air encounters a cold surface, such as windows, walls, or mirrors, it cools down rapidly. As a result, the air loses its ability to hold as much moisture, causing the excess water vapour to condense and form droplets on the colder surface. This phenomenon is more likely to happen in areas with poor insulation, inadequate ventilation, or high humidity levels.
External issues such as Rising Dampness or Penetrating Dampness can also cause excessive moisture build-up in the home and can lead to condensation in your property. It’s essential to watch for the warning signs of condensation and mould so you can take proactive steps to reduce the amount of moisture in your home. If you want to know more about condensation in the home and how condensation is caused, check out our other article, Condensation in the home: understanding the causes and its impact on your home.
Condensation can cause damp problems such as black mould.
Condensation is not just a minor inconvenience; it can lead to mould, significant dampness and health problems, with black mould being one of the most concerning outcomes. Black mould, scientifically known as Stachybotrys Chartarum, thrives in damp environments and can quickly colonise affected areas. It poses risks not only to the structural integrity of your home but also to your health.
To prevent the harmful effects of condensation, it is crucial to address the underlying moisture issue, improve ventilation, and maintain a dry living space. By tackling condensation head-on, you can help reduce the amount of moisture in your home and mitigate mould growth, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for you and your family.
Here are 10 strategies to reduce dampness and stop condensation within your own or rented property

1. Increase ventilation to improve airflow
Increasing ventilation is a crucial strategy as proper airflow helps to remove excess moisture and maintain optimal humidity levels. Here are some simple and effective ways to enhance ventilation:
- Open Windows: Regularly open windows, especially during and after activities that generate moisture, such as cooking or showering. This allows fresh air to enter and circulate, helping disperse moisture-laden air inside the house.
- Use Extractor Fans: Install extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms to quickly remove moisture at the source. Turn them on during and after activities that produce steam or humidity. Ensure they are vented directly outside to prevent the moisture from circulating back into your home.
- Utilise Cross Ventilation: Create cross ventilation by opening windows or doors on opposite sides of the room. This promotes air movement and helps to expel moist air while bringing in fresh air from outside.
2. Switch on the extractor fan when using your shower
Showers produce significant amounts of steam and moisture, which can quickly lead to condensation on bathroom surfaces. By promptly removing the humid air, an extractor fan prevents moisture from settling and causing condensation on mirrors, windows, or walls.
This not only helps to prevent dampness but also inhibits the growth of mould and mildew, which thrive in these damp environments. Additionally, an extractor fan improves air quality by removing odours and pollutants, creating a fresher and healthier bathroom environment.
3. Keep a regular temperature throughout the property
Consistency in temperature creates a stable indoor environment, minimising the conditions contributing to condensation. By avoiding temperature fluctuations, you can minimise the formation of cold surfaces, such as windows, walls, and floors, which are more prone to condensation when warm, moist air comes into contact with them. Keeping a regular temperature helps to create a balanced and comfortable living space while reducing the risk of condensation-related issues. It also helps preserve building materials’ integrity by preventing moisture damage and deterioration.
4. Cover your pots and pans or use a cooker hood
Covering pots and pans or using cooker hoods is a practical strategy to help reduce condensation in your home. When cooking, steam and moisture are released into the air, contributing to increased humidity levels and surface condensation. Covering pots and pans while cooking can contain steam and prevent excessive moisture from escaping into the surrounding environment.
Alternatively, using cooker hoods effectively captures and removes the steam, odours, and moisture generated during cooking, redirecting them outside. This helps to minimise the amount of moisture in the air, reducing the chances of condensation forming on windows, walls, and other surfaces. By implementing these simple practices, you can significantly minimise condensation, maintain a drier living space, and prevent potential issues associated with excessive moisture in your home.
5. Keep furniture away from walls
When furniture is placed directly against walls, it restricts the airflow and creates pockets of stagnant air. This stale air can contribute to condensation formation on the walls, especially if they are colder than room temperature. Maintaining a gap between furniture and walls allows air to circulate freely, preventing moisture from getting trapped and reducing the chances of condensation. Adequate air circulation helps maintain a more balanced environment, allowing excess moisture to dissipate effectively. Keeping furniture away from walls also allows for easier inspection and maintenance of potential damp or mould issues, ensuring a healthier and more comfortable living space.

6. Dry your clothes outside or where an extractor fan is available
Did you know drying your clothes inside can, on average, introduce two to four pints of water vapour into your property? That moisture from your freshly cleaned clothes has to go somewhere, and if you dry your clothes inside your home without using a tumble dryer, it will disperse around your property. If you have access to the great outdoors, dry clothes outside rather than inside to help prevent this build-up of moisture and allow mother nature to do its work.
Unfortunately, not all of us have access to outdoor drying areas and installing an adequately vented and energy-efficient tumble dryer can be costly. It’s best to dry your clothes in a room or area built to extract moisture and humid air, such as your bathroom. Keep your door shut to prevent moisture from escaping into other rooms, and be sure to use the extractor fan. If you don’t have access to a room with an extractor fan, try to open a window to allow moisture to escape.
7. Purchase a dehumidifier
A dehumidifier extracts moisture from the air, helping maintain a balanced humidity level. By reducing the humidity, you create an environment less conducive to condensation formation on surfaces such as windows, walls, and furniture. Dehumidifiers are particularly useful in areas prone to high humidity or poor ventilation, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. They can be set to operate continuously or on a timer, allowing you to control and maintain the desired humidity level in your home. A dehumidifier can reduce moisture levels, minimise condensation-related issues, and create a healthier and more comfortable living space.
8. Keep doors to bathrooms and kitchens closed
Bathrooms and kitchens are areas where high moisture levels are generated through showering, bathing, cooking, and boiling water. By closing the doors to these rooms, you contain the humidity within the space, preventing it from spreading to other areas of the house. This helps to maintain a drier environment in the rest of the property, reducing the chances of condensation forming on surfaces such as walls, windows, and furniture. Additionally, closed doors create a barrier that slows the movement of moist air into other rooms, allowing for better control of humidity levels. By implementing this simple practice, you can effectively manage moisture and minimise condensation-related issues, promoting a healthier and more comfortable living space. Please remember to use other tips in these rooms when the doors are closed, such as using the extractor fans or having the windows open.
9. Improve insulation within the property
Proper insulation helps create a barrier between the indoor and outdoor environments, minimising the transfer of heat and cold. By improving loft and wall insulation, you can reduce temperature differences, prevent thermal bridging, maintain optimal indoor temperature, and minimise air leakage. These benefits work together to create a more stable and controlled environment, reducing the conditions that lead to condensation. You can create a more comfortable and condensation-free living space with better insulation, protecting your property from potential moisture-related issues.
10. Invest in (or request) double glazing for your property
Double glazing provides thermal insulation, minimising temperature differences and preventing cold spots on window surfaces. Keeping the inner pane closer to room temperature reduces the likelihood of condensation forming when warm, moist air meets a cold surface. The insulating gap in double glazing acts as a barrier to moisture transfer, further decreasing condensation risk.
Additionally, double glazing improves energy efficiency, lowers heating bills, and creates a more comfortable living environment. With these benefits, investing in double glazing is a valuable step towards reducing condensation and enhancing your home’s overall performance.
If you are in the rental market, keep an eye out for properties that offer double glazing. If you are settled in a property, you can request that your landlord fit double glazing. However, there are often caveats that may include an increase to rent.
How to get rid of condensation on windows
When it comes to tackling condensation on windows, there are a few effective methods you can employ. First, wiping the windows with a dry cloth or absorbent towel is a practical and immediate solution. Start from the top and work your way down, ensuring that you dry the entire window surface. This simple act helps to eliminate excess moisture and prevents water droplets from accumulating on the glass.

Improving ventilation in the affected area is another critical approach. Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate, promoting better airflow and reducing humidity levels. Proper ventilation helps to carry moisture away from the windows, minimising the chances of condensation on the inside forming. Additionally, using extractor fans in rooms prone to high humidity, such as bathrooms and kitchens, can effectively remove moist air and prevent condensation.
It’s best to keep a consistent internal room temperature in rooms with a lot of window condensation. Try not to overheat your property to reduce the amount of condensation; this will only cause moisture to evaporate and more issues later on. With today’s heating prices, this may be easier said than done, but if you can, try to reduce the amount of heat in the room and prevent large fluctuations in temperature by keeping the heating on low overnight.
Reduce condensation in your property with a new ventilation system or improved insulation.
Proper ventilation is vital in controlling humidity levels and preventing condensation buildup. Installing a new ventilation system, such as mechanical extractors or whole house ventilation system, helps to remove excess moisture from the air, particularly in areas prone to high humidity like kitchens and bathrooms. These systems ensure a continuous flow of fresh air whilst reducing the chances of condensation on windows, walls, and other surfaces.
Improving insulation within your property is another effective strategy. Well-insulated walls, floors, and roofs help to maintain more consistent indoor temperatures, minimising the risk of cold spots where condensation can occur. Insulation acts as a barrier, reducing heat transfer and preventing warm, moist air from contacting cold surfaces. Investing in proper insulation can create a more comfortable and energy-efficient home while significantly reducing the likelihood of condensation formation.
Combining a new ventilation system with improved insulation provides a comprehensive approach to combating condensation. These measures work together to manage humidity levels, maintain thermal comfort, and protect your home from the damaging effects of excess moisture. Consulting with professionals in the field can help you determine the most suitable ventilation system and insulation options tailored to your specific needs and property requirements.
Remember, proper ventilation and insulation are critical in reducing condensation, improving indoor air quality, and creating a healthier living environment.
Your local property preservation experts
Are you looking for further advice on getting rid of condensation or removing mould in your home? Maybe you are worried about Rising Damp or Penetrating Damp issues? Here at The Preservation Company, we specialise in all things damp, and as your local condensation expert, we can offer you a range of solutions to help reduce moisture in the home. You can get in touch or request a survey for advice, a friendly chat, and expert help every step of the way.