What you can do about it
Tips for the cold season
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That’s why windows fog up in winter – and that helps against it
Dusseldorf As soon as it gets colder outside, the view into the distance is clouded by misted windows. However, the problem is also linked to health – and can be prevented with a few simple tips.
If the temperature in winter sinks outside, this often causes fogged windows inside the apartment or house. This is particularly a problem in older houses or apartments. Sometimes the windows fog up so much that condensation forms.
Why do the windows fog up in winter?
The background to this is high humidity, which occurs in a normal household without much effort. Because daily showering, washing and drying, cooking, the dishwasher, moisturizing plants, ironing and pets all ensure high humidity. Some households have a humidity of 70 percent, which is quite high. If the warm room air hits particularly cold spots, such as windows or sloping ceilings, the water condenses on the pane.
Is condensation dangerous?
If you see condensation on the windows, the humidity there is already at a value of 100 percent. Mold grows directly on the wall from a relative humidity of 70 to 80 percent. At this point the wall doesn’t even feel damp. If condensation forms regularly on the panes, you should take it seriously. Bacteria and fungi can be dangerous for humans and lead to skin and eye irritation, respiratory problems and even allergies.
What can you do about fogged windows?
First of all, you should check how high the humidity is in your own home. This is possible with a hygrometer. The value should be between 40 and 60. There is only one thing that can help to reduce humidity: ventilate as much as possible. One should each room several times a day for a few minutes blow air – So open the windows wide and not just tilt them. According to the consumer center, intervals range from a maximum three to five minutes, two or three times a dayalready over.
What can also help are room dehumidifier or ventilation systems. If that is too expensive for you, you can also use simple home remedies such as a bowl of salt resort, which one places on the window sill. It is also recommended to have some remove moisturizing plants or exchange.
In a few cases, the condensation water can also get through leaky windows develop. It is relatively easy to test whether this is the case: hold a lit tea light close to the window frame. If the flame flares more than before where it was farther from the frame, this is an indication of a gap. The test also works with a lit incense stick. In this case, according to the consumer advice center, it is sufficient to replace the rubber seals that have become porous or to readjust the window.
