How to Keep House Windows From Fogging Up

Excessive moisture and humidity inside the home can lead to and mildew problems during winter months. The chilly air outside can have an effect on the windows inside your home, when this indoor humidity comes in contact with the cold glass. The condensation that forms on your windows can cause them to fog up, causing further mold complications and affecting the aesthetics of your windows. Several solutions are available to help alleviate this problem prolong the life of the windows in your home.

Things You'll Need

• Dehumidifier Rubbing alcohol Rain-X Ceiling fans Exhaust fans

Instructions

1. Run a dehumidifier in your home and check the receptacle frequently. Homes that are prone to excess moisture throughout the year can benefit from the use of a dehumidifier. You can tell by the amount of water that is accumulating in the receptacle just how big of a moisture problem you may have. By running the dehumidifier regularly, you can reduce the amount of moisture that is contained inside your home, reducing the risks of mildew and fog on the interior of your windows.

2. Clean your windows with rubbing alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol can reduce the chances of your windows fogging due to an increase in humidity in your home. When the heat is on and the temperatures outdoors are at a much lower level, condensation can form causing a foggy effect. The alcohol used to clean the windows will decrease the moisture's ability to cause fogging.

3. Try a product such as Rain-X on your window interiors. Products such as these have been known to reduce fogging on car windows during temperature changes, and can be effective for use on the windows in your home, as well. The product can easily be found at your local auto accessory store.

4. Cover your home's windows with plastic to avoid condensation during the winter months. By applying plastic to the exterior of the windows, you can reduce drafts, condensation, and problems with fogging. The plastic can be attached using thumbtacks to secure it around the exterior wood frame of the window. This process will not only reduce moisture and window fogging, but will also help in reducing home heating cost by keeping precious heat in and the cold elements out.

5. Install ceiling fans inside your home to improve the circulation of air and prevent a build up of water vapor. Ceiling fans will help greatly in improving the overall circulation of air in your home. By evenly dispersing the water vapor that is in your home's air, the chances of your windows fogging can be reduced.

6. Consider the installation of exhaust fans in your home. Exhaust fans strategically placed in kitchens and bathrooms will reduce moisture levels in your home by drawing the condensation out. The installation of the exhaust fans will reduce the fogging effects that hot showers can cause to your mirrors and windows.

Tips & Warnings

• It may be a good idea to consider the age and composition of the windows in your home. Double-pane, insulated windows can combat a moisture and fogging problem that is occurring in your home, as opposed to older single-pane windows.

• Moisture in the home can be a very serious health concern. Mildew that forms around window frames should be eliminated to reduce the risk of allergies and illness. This can be done by using a bleach based mildew killer in combination with the above ideas.