How to Absorb and Stop Condensation on Windows Overnight

Condensation on windows can not only be annoying, but it can also seriously damage your home. I thought that condensation is completely normal, so I wasn’t really bothered with foggy windows all that much.

However, when the wallpaper around them started peeling off, and the whole room started smelling musty, I realized that the fogginess isn’t just an aesthetic issue.

Quite the contrary. It’s important that you don’t ignore this problem because it is most likely a sign that the humidity in your home is too high.

But, you don’t need to panic, because I have all the information about getting rid of this problem right here. This article will teach you how to absorb and stop condensation on windows overnight.

What Is Causing Condensation on Windows?

Condensation happens when water from a cold surface comes in contact with humid air. Therefore, the issue occurs in damp and humid environments.

So, if you want to get rid of fogginess on your windows, you need to lower the level of humidity in your home. There are many easy ways to reduce the dampness that I’ll get into later in the article.

Is Condensation Dangerous?

As I previously mentioned, condensation isn’t just an aesthetic issue. If you don’t get rid of its causes, it can seriously damage the area around the windows. In case the panels are old, the excess moisture can damage the plaster and lead to rooting of the wood around the glass.

In addition, condensation is a sign that the air inside your house is too humid. So, it’s not just the area around the windows — your whole house could be in danger.

Humidity can lead to walls changing their color and staining. What’s more, the paint and the wallpaper can peel off when they’re in contact with moisture for a long time.

Furthermore, your whole house can start smelling musty and unpleasant. Since damp areas provide perfect living conditions for mold, you’re at risk of encountering a very dangerous enemy.

Mold can not only harm your home, but it can seriously harm your health. If the house has a high level of humidity for a long time, its whole structure can deteriorate. Since I have a whole article about humidity in the home, I won’t get into details now. But, you can read more on this topic there.

So, it’s important that you not only get rid of the condensation on your windows but also that you lower the level of humidity in your home. Before I start with my tips, I want us to get on the same page about different places where condensation can occur. That way, you’ll know whether you’re dealing with a serious problem or not.

Different Kinds of Condensation on Windows

It’ll be useful for you learn to differentiate between different kinds of condensation on windows. That will help you find out exactly what the problem is. In addition, there’s a possibility that your condensation problem isn’t an issue at all.

In case you’re experiencing condensation on the outside of the windows, you probably don’t have anything to worry about. If there’s a higher level of humidity during the summer, your windows will fog.

It’s a good thing because it means that your house does a great job of keeping a cool temperature inside and that the heat stays outside. So, I’m happy to inform you that you don’t actually have an issue with condensation!

However, if you see fogginess on the inside of the window, then you most likely have a problem on your hand. The humidity in the house is high, and there’s dampness in the air that gathers around any cool surface such as mirrors or windows.

But, you shouldn’t panic because there are many easy ways to get rid of the problem. I’ll help you by present possible solutions that you can try out. There’s a huge chance that you’ll be able to get rid of the condensation overnight.

The condensation can also occur between two panes of the window. In most cases, this issue is due to the failure of a seal of the window. In case you notice the fogginess inside the window, you’ll probably have to replace the whole thing. Thus, I advise you to hire professionals and see what solutions they offer.

Is the Problem Temporary or Permanent?

Before I go into details about the ways to prevent and eliminate condensation, I need to make sure that you know what you’re dealing with. There is a chance that you’re experiencing a big issue. In some cases, you would need to renovate the whole house due to the problem being permanent and not being dependant on the weather or temporary dampness.

If your windows are foggy only after cooking, showering, or doing laundry, then the problem is easily solved. What’s more, it is normal for the fogginess to occur at the start of the heating season. Sharp changes in temperature can also be the cause of the temporary condensation.

So, in case you experience dampness occasionally and in cases when it’s completely normal, you will be able to get rid of it easily. If not, then there’s a big chance that the problem can’t be solved overnight and you would have to take more serious action.

Ways to Absorb and Stop Condensation on Windows Overnight

Now that I’ve covered everything you need to know about condensation, it’s time to present you with the possible solutions for your problem. Hopefully, you’ll be able to get rid of the fogginess overnight with just a few simple steps. However, there’s a chance that you’ll have to invest some time and money into stopping condensation on windows. In any case, you don’t have to worry, because everything you need to know is right here.

Open the window

The fastest way to ventilate your home overnight and reduce condensation is to open the windows. That way, you’ll release the warm, damp air from the home and lower the level of humidity. If you lower the level of dampness in the room, there is a good chance that you’ll get rid of condensation on windows.

But, as easy as it sounds, opening a window at the wrong time of the day can have the opposite effect. For example, in case the day is extremely humid, you’ll just make things worse. Thus, you should make sure that you do this step when the dampness is at the lowest level. In most cases, that will occur between 12 pm and 4 pm or at night.

So, the solution to your problem can be as simple as opening the window. Hopefully, this simple step will solve your issue, and you won’t have to take more serious measures.

Turn on the air conditioning

Another great way to stop condensation is to turn on the air conditioning. This device will dry the air, which will get rid of the main cause of condensation — high humidity. So, you should try turning on the air conditioning overnight and see if it resolves the problem.

Of course, your wallet will suffer due to increased electricity bills. But, you’ll thank me later, when your windows are clear and the air in your home is normal again.

Turn on fans

Ventilating the house will help you get rid of the condensation. You should make sure that the fans are turned on when you cook or shower in order to reduce the level of humidity in your home.

In most cases, it won’t be enough to just turn on the exhaust fans and vents while you’re cooking or baking. Thus, you should leave them on during the night to get the best results.

Open your drapes and curtains

Opening drapes and curtains are one of those solutions that will make you ask yourself — why didn’t I think of this before? By doing this step, you’ll allow air to circulate against the window, which will prevent the condensation from creating.

I know that opening your drapes on sunny days isn’t the most pleasant thing you can imagine. But, it’s a sacrifice you’ll probably need to make if you want clear windows.

Move your plants

Plants will make any room look beautiful, but they’ll also add moisture to the air. Therefore, you can try to stop the condensation by moving all the plants to one room that you’ll ventilate regularly. You can also place your plants outside and see if your issue is resolved.

Close the door

Cooking and showering will increase the level of dampness in a room. You can’t stop doing these things, but you can close the door so that the steam remains in a smaller area. In case this step doesn’t solve your condensation problems, you’ll at least be able to breathe easier.

Try a window condensation absorber

Window condensation absorber is known as “the snake.” It is made of special materials that will efficiently soak up water and prevent any further damage around the window. You’ll just need to put snakes below your windows and leave them there during the night.

Window condensation absorbers are great for preventing water from causing further damage in the area around the window. However, it won’t do anything to eliminate the problem. So, if you want to completely get rid of condensation, you need to combine the snake with something else from this list.

Absorbers aren’t expensive. You can find amazing products on Amazon such as

• Value Set Of 3 Window Condensation Water Snake Moisture Absorber and
• Window Condensation Moisture Absorber Water Snake.

Besides having a lot of positive reviews, these products are affordable.

Use a moisture eliminator

If you’ve tried everything from this list and you still have condensation problems, then you’ll probably have to invest in a moisture eliminator. As its name states, it gets rid of the excess moisture in the air. If you find a good product, you’ll even be able to solve your problem overnight.

There are great moisture eliminators out there that won’t empty your pockets. You can check out

• DampRid Hi-Capacity Moisture Absorber and
• The Home Store Moisture Eliminator Pellets with Charcoal.

They’ll not only help you solve your issue but also leave your room smelling amazing.

Buy a dehumidifier

Dehumidifiers aren’t the cheapest solution to the condensation problem, but they are probably the most effective one. You can opt for a whole-house one, or you can buy something more convenient. Since I’ve covered the subject in one of my previous articles, I won’t get into it know, but you can read everything about dehumidifiers there.

If you buy a smaller, portable product, it’s best to place it near a window. You’ll see the results almost immediately.

Final Thoughts

It’s very important that you act as quickly as you can when you notice condensation on the inside of your windows. The water can root wood on the window and damage the area around it. What’s more, condensation is a clear sign of a higher level of humidity in the house. So, your whole home can be in danger.

Luckily, there are ways to absorb and stop condensation. In some cases, you’ll be able to solve this issue overnight.

You can avoid fogginess on the windows just by leaving them open during the night. You should also try turning on air conditioning and fans before you go to bed in order to allow the air to circulate. In addition, there are things you can do during the day to try to prevent the humidity from reaching a dangerous level.

If these methods don’t work, maybe it’s time to invest in a moisture eliminator or a dehumidifier. They aren’t the cheapest solutions, but I assure you that they are the most effective ones.

Hopefully, this article helps you solve your problem with condensation on windows. If not, I recommend you to get help from a professional. There’s a big chance that you’ll have to improve the ventilation of your house or get brand new windows.