Households across the UK are being urged to put bowls of salt behind their curtain this winter to help prevent condensation. While it’s most commonly used as a seasoning while cooking, salt can also serve another important use around homes during bouts of cold weather, helping to fend off expensive problems like damp and mould. Condensation is a common problem at this time of the year as the temperature difference between warm, moist air inside and cold exterior surfaces, like windows and walls, causes more water vapour to turn into liquid droplets, resulting in foggy and misty windows, dampness and black mould.

The UK is facing a particularly cold start to the new year as Arctic air brings a prolonged spell of very chilly weather, which is expected to last into next week. The Met Office has issued multiple yellow weather warnings for snow and ice between Saturday, January 3, and Tuesday, January 6, covering large swathes of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and central and southern England.

 The national forecaster is warning people to brace for widespread frost, ice and possible snow showers, which is likely to make travel hazardous over the next few days.

But the wintry weather can also cause problems inside the home, too, meaning households can expect to be battling with condensation on their windows as temperatures plummet. Luckily, the issue can be tackled easily and cheaply using a bowl of table salt. 

If you don’t have a fancy humidifier, then you can make use of salt around your home instead to help absorb excess moisture in the air during bouts of cold weather.

Salt has excellent moisture-absorbing properties and can effectively soak up water vapour from the air, which in turn helps to prevent condensation from developing.

If placed strategically around your hom,e it can be used to soak up water vapour from the air, keeping your windows free of condensation as a result.

Experts recommend placing a bowl of salt behind your curtains, as well as on and inside wardrobes, to help dry the air and reduce dampness in your home.

You can pick up a bottle of table salt for just 65p at Sainsbury’s Morrisons or Aldi, so it’s a very cheap and natural way to tackle condensation during the colder months.

DIY expert Glen Peskett from Saxton Blades said: “A 65p bag of salt can act as a natural dehumidifier. Salt pulls moisture out of the air.

“Leaving a small bowl on windowsills, especially overnight, can noticeably cut down condensation and stop mould before it starts.

“Fill a small ramekin, jar or dish with any cheap table or rock salt and place it:

on windowsillsbehind curtainsinside wardrobes or cupboards prone to damp

“The salt absorbs moisture from the air and will gradually clump together as it becomes saturated, a sign that it’s working. It can be replaced cheaply whenever needed.”