Households across the UK are being urged to rub washing-up liquid on windows as a change in the weather is forecast, bringing colder temperatures.
May is typically the warmest spring month in the UK, but that doesn’t mean cold weather is off the cards completely, and this week is expected to bring a return to chillier climes. The Met Office has warned that colder air moving south across the UK will bring “a marked change in conditions”, with overnight frosts and sub-zero temperatures as low as -5C in some northern areas forecast. The cold and unsettled weather is expected to last into the weekend, when there will be an increasing chance of heavy showers, longer spells of rain and possible thunderstorms in places.
The Met Office said: “The week ahead brings a marked change in conditions, with colder air moving south across the UK during the middle of the week.
“While frosts are not unusual in early May, the combination of northerly winds and clear nights means gardeners and growers should stay alert to the risk of sharp overnight temperatures. Later in the week, temperatures begin to recover, with a growing chance of more unsettled weather heading into the weekend.
“As skies clear overnight, winds will ease and temperatures will fall quickly. This combination raises the risk of patchy fog and a widespread frost by Wednesday morning, particularly in rural areas. In more prone northern spots, temperatures may dip to –4 or –5°C, posing a risk to sensitive plants.”
But it’s not just miserable weather conditions that households will have to deal with this week, as the cold weather can also lead to problems inside your home, including damp and condensation. That pesky layer of water droplets dripping down your window happens when warm air inside your home meets the cold surface of the glass, turning into droplets as it cools.
Not only does it leave your windows looking foggy and wet, but it can also lead to a build-up of black mould and mildew, which can be damaging to both your property and your health. But there is a cheap and easy way to tackle this problem, and it’s probably already knocking around in your house – some washing-up liquid.
Rubbing a thin layer of washing up liquid on a dry window can prevent condensation from forming because dish soap contains surfactants, which reduce the surface tension of the water, causing it to spread out into an invisible layer rather than forming droplets.
In its online advice on preventing condensation on windows, Eco cleaning products brand Home Things said: “By taking a small drop of washing up liquid and rubbing it into the condensation-prone window with a dry cloth, you can completely stop the issue altogether.
“The washing-up liquid forms a barrier on the surface of the windows, preventing the water from sticking. So in the space of just a few minutes, you can put a stop to the damp, mould, and mildew that wet windows can cause.”
You can pick up a bottle of washing-up liquid at Tesco for just 62p, so it’s a really cheap and easy way to tackle this common seasonal problem, but you will need to reapply it regularly as it’s not a permanent fix.
Explaining how to stop condensation on windows, specialists at Glazing Refurbishment said: “Applying a small amount of washing-up liquid, like Fairy Liquid, to your windows can temporarily prevent condensation from forming. It works by creating a thin film that lowers surface tension and prevents water droplets from forming on a cold surface.
“Remember, it’s a temporary solution and may not completely stop condensation, especially on colder days. It’s best applied to the bottom of the windows where condensation tends to accumulate the most.”
The specialists added: “It’s not a permanent fix. Over time, the soap film will wear away, and the condensation may return. For a long-term solution, you need to manage the humidity levels in your building and improve insulation.”
Your heating can play a big part in how much condensation forms in your home, as the warmer the air is, the more moisture it will hold. So if you heat one room to a higher temperature and leave other rooms cold, condensation can be worse in the unheated rooms.
To avoid this, the World Health Organisation guidelines suggest a minimum temperature of 21C in a living room and 18C in bedrooms, and it’s recommended that heating is left on low all day in cold weather to help control condensation.
If you do get a build-up of condensation on your windows, make sure to wipe surfaces down to prevent mould forming and spreading, and if you notice any black spots, give your window a clean with a mild bleach solution or anti-fungal spray.