How to Make a Toilet Tank Cover to Stop Condensation

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure

  • Fleece or terrycloth

  • Scissors

  • 1-inch seam binding

  • Sewing machine

  • Elastic

  • Safety pins

Summer means heat and humidity in many parts of the country, and that may mean condensation on your toilet tank. Condensation occurs when cold water cools the porcelain of your toilet tank. Warm, humid air comes into contact with the cool porcelain, and the resulting condensation drips down the tank and onto floors. Mixing valves and insulation are ways to eliminate or reduce condensation on the tank, but if the problem is mild, a tank cover can absorb the moisture and provide some insulation to minimize the problem. You can make a tank cover from any absorbent material.

Advertisement

Step 1

Measure the height of your toilet tank, from the base to the rim of the lid. Measure the distance around the cover, just under the lid and again near the base.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Cut the fleece or terrycloth to the height and circumference you measured, plus 1 inch to allow for hems.

Step 3

Fold under 1/2 inch on the top, bottom and sides of your fabric and sew for a hem.

Step 4

Unfold the seam binding and lay it, right-side down, against the inside bottom edge of the fabric. Sew in the fold to attach the seam binding all the way around the bottom of the fabric. Cut off excess binding.

Advertisement

Step 5

Fold the binding up to the inside of the fabric. Now the right side of the binding is facing up. Sew just inside the top edge of the binding to create a channel through which you can thread elastic. Sew a similar channel around the top of the fabric.

Step 6

Cut two pieces of elastic equal to the measurements you made for the circumference of your tank at the top and bottom, minus 1 inch.

Advertisement

Step 7

Stick a safety pin into the end of one of the pieces of elastic. Thread the elastic into the channel at the top or bottom of the cover. Continue holding the free end of the elastic so it doesn't slip through. Pin the end of the elastic to the cover. When the elastic is threaded all the way through, pin this end to the fabric also. Repeat for the second piece of elastic.

Advertisement

Step 8

Sew the elastic in place at either end. Your cover will be slightly gathered at the top and bottom.

Step 9

Wrap the tank cover around your toilet tank. Use large safety pins to pin the cover in place in back, adjusting the pins as needed to ensure a snug fit.

Tip

Remove the cover and wash periodically.

Advertisement

Video of the Day

references