Life Hack: Can cat litter help to reduce condensation in your bathroom this autumn?
Condensation is not just unsightly; it can affect your health
Is cat litter the answer to your seasonal condensation woes? Many Irish homes suffer from excess condensation in the colder months of the year.
It’s a topic I have written quite a bit about over the years, from how to keep your windows free of dampness to how to use a dehumidifier.
This week I’m looking at a common condensation hot spot: the bathroom.
It should come as no surprise that our bathrooms generate quite a bit of condensation — merely run a hot shower on a cold morning and you’ll know all about it as your tiles could be dripping with excess liquid in no time.
Put simply, condensation occurs very easily in autumn and winter as we tend to keep our windows and doors closed to keep the heat inside and the cold outside.
However, as temperatures start to drop, the risk of condensation typically rises.
A combination of colder bathroom surfaces and poor ventilation means humid air lingers in our homes, increasing the risk of condensation.
Condensation is not just unsightly; it can affect your health as well as the structural integrity of your home.
Damp and the mould it could create can increase your risk of respiratory problems and respiratory infections, as well as allergies and asthma.
Inhaling or touching mould spores could cause an allergic reaction too, like sneezing or a skin rash.
As well as this, uncontrolled condensation in your home can damage wooden window frames and the seals on your windows, as well as plasterwork in your home.
Fortunately, there are a range of methods that we can implement to tackle this issue, from tried and tested techniques like running an extractor fan after a shower, to some more creative alternatives like using cat litter as a DIY dehumidifier.
Bathroom experts at Vidalux have shared eight tested methods you can try this autumn to reduce condensation in the bathroom, with some of their simple DIY hacks using everyday items you may already have at home.
Plus, some of these methods take just seconds to do to have a long-lasting impact.
“Condensation is one of the most common bathroom problems we see in autumn and winter, but the good news is there are plenty of methods you can try to keep it under control,” says Andy Ellis, bathroom specialist at Vidalux.
“Most people would be surprised to learn that simple household items like cat litter or rock salt could be the key to tackling an issue in their bathroom, as well as the more usual, simple habits like leaving the extractor fan running or wiping down surfaces after a shower.
“Tackling condensation early is important to help prevent longer-term issues like damp and mould.”
Turn on your extractor fan before you shower and leave it running for 10 to 15 minutes afterwards.
Even just a small crack creates airflow that can whisk away any steam from your shower.
A quick wipe of mirrors, tiles, and windows helps to stop lingering moisture.
A warmer bathroom means less cold glass and tiles for steam to cling to.
Applying a thin layer and then wiping it off creates an invisible barrier that prevents mirrors from steaming up after showers.
These household items double up as a great, cost-effective dehumidifier. Simply place them in a container near the window or under the sink.
A quick, simple habit to get into is using a squeegee on your shower walls after a shower, as it removes a surprising amount of moisture from the air.
Moisture-absorbing plants like English ivy, spider plants, and peace lilies help to reduce condensation and can even improve air quality.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
