Reducing condensation in your home

Condensation is a major cause of damp and mould. It’s caused when warm air meets a cold surface, such as a window or wall. Water droplets form and the damp conditions cause mould to grow.

Common signs of condensation include:

water droplets on windows and walls
walls and surfaces that feel damp to the touch
peeling wallpaper
black mould starting to form, often in corners, behind furniture or around windows

Preventing condensation and damp in winter

Condensation is more common in cold weather, especially when warm air inside meets cold surfaces like windows and walls.

Keep your home warm

Aim to maintain a consistent temperature of at least 18°C, especially in occupied rooms.

If you’re worried about money, you can:

refer yourself to our money advice service
read our tips on saving energy and keeping warm

Ventilate regularly

Open trickle vents on windows if you have them, or open windows slightly for short periods. This is particularly important after cooking, showering, or when you're drying clothes.

Move furniture away from walls

If possible, make a gap between your furniture and the walls so air can circulate properly.

Dry clothes in a ventilated space

You should avoid drying clothes inside if at all possible. If you do not have an outdoor space, use a clothes horse in a ventilated room. You should try to avoid using radiators.

Reduce condensation in your kitchen

Lots of steam is produced during cooking or when you boil a kettle. To reduce condensation, you should:

keep lids on boiling pans
use the extractor fan, if you have one
not overfill your kettle
open a window
close the kitchen door, if you have one

Reduce condensation in your bathroom

Lots of steam is produced when you have a bath or shower. To reduce condensation, you should:

add cold water to your bath first
turn on the extractor fan if you have one, or open the window
close the bathroom door
wipe down your shower, tiles and mirror with a cloth or squeegee