A SIMPLE kitchen essential which costs just 65p in Asda could clear up your damp and mould problem.
Homeowners have turned to cheap methods of condensation prevention as the effects of harsh weather have begun to show.
They are reaching for salt as a damp-defying item which costs them zero cash and can already be found in the kitchen cupboard.
Salt can absorb large quantities of moisture and prevent it dwelling on your window sills, walls and surfaces.
And if you don’t already have a shaker lying around your kitchen it’s cheap to buy in most supermarkets.
You can buy 750g of table salt from Asda, Sainsbury’s or Aldi for just 65p.
Or if you’re shopping in Waitrose or Tesco it’s just 5p more at 70p.
Rock salt is more absorbent than table salt, however, and is a bit more expensive – priced at £1.80 for 500g.
You can pour small amounts of your salt into bowls or ramekins and leave them in the areas of your house which are prone to condensation.
Within a day the salt will dehumidify the air causing moisture to be cleared up.
You can then dry the salt out in the oven if it becomes damp and start again – meaning no waste and no need to keep buying.
Katie Mortram, Good Housekeeping’s Household advice editor told The Sun: “‘Salt will gradually absorb moisture from the atmosphere because it’s hygroscopic.
“If you keep an open saltshaker in your kitchen, you might even notice the effects of this over time; clogging and even potentially rusting the container. “
And when The Sun tried the trick in 2022, we found it worked pretty well.
Reporter Harriet Cooke wrote: “To my surprise, they worked pretty effectively.”
She told readers that her humidity reading had dropped from 88 to 62 overnight.
And others online have shared their experiences with the method too.
A Reddit user explained how it had been effective in their home for seven years and also recommended wrapping the salt in paper towels.
They said: “It helps keep it all together and not leave stains but is still breathable enough to let the salt absorb the moisture.
“That almost always worked to keep the condensation away and keep it warmer in the house.”
And this is a great alternative to buying an electrical dehumidifier which plugs into the wall at home.
Dehumidifiers draw in warm air and cool it by passing it over refrigerated coils.
This causes the air to contract and lose moisture as it cools.
In Halfords, the SIP 20 Litre Dehumidifier costs £239.99.
While a cheaper 12 litre version from Dunelm costs £120.
It also costs to run the appliance – this is usually only 4p an hour but it still helps to save on monthly costs.
This is why DIY methods such as using salt are preferred by many to keep bills down.
This is especially important this winter as 28 million UK households on standard variable tariffs (SVT) are facing an increased energy price cap.
Ofgem previously announced that bills will rise this month by 10% causing households to spend an annual £149 extra on average.
This means more people will be facing colder temperatures – and need cost-efficient methods of tackling bad weather.
One reason people face problems with condensation is due to poor windows which are broken or the insides of the panes are saturated.
It is very expensive to have new windows installed or to fix the problem with double glazing.
Installing a new window can cost anywhere between £550 and £1,500 according to CheckATrade.com.
This depends on the size of the window, what type of window it is and where you live.
On average it costs Brits anywhere between £300 and £5,000 to add double glazing to existing windows.
And homeowners who don’t fix the problem of damp also face health risks from mould spores and the cost of damage repair.
CheckATrade values the average mould removal cost this year to be £30 an hour – or as much as £300 a room.
By using cheap home remedies for these problems you don’t need to pay this money out at all.
For example, The Sun also tried baking soda and cat litter and they worked just as well as the salt and brought humidity levels down to 60.
What is mould and how to get rid of it?
Mould is more likely to grow during the winter months.
Olivia Young, Product Development Scientist at Astonish revealed exactly why this is.
“Unfortunately, mould is a common problem many people face during winter. It thrives in conditions that are warm and damp, so your bathrooms are likely to be the most affected place.
“That said, during the colder months most rooms in your home could be vulnerable to mould growing.
“This occurs primarily from condensation that builds up on your windows when you’ve got your radiators on.
“If you think about it, when windows and doors are closed, there’s not much chance for the air to circulate and the moisture to make a swift exit.
“This build up is what can cause dreaded mould to make an appearance, especially in bathrooms, as it creates that warm and wet environment that is a breeding ground for mould.
“If left untreated, not only is it unsightly but it can also pose a serious risk to your health, so it’s really important you treat it.
“The key to tackle mould is to act fast.
“Try to come into as little contact with it as you can. So, grab your gloves, tie up your hair and get to work to remove any signs of mould as soon as you notice them.
“To keep mould at bay, there are some simple solutions you can introduce throughout home.
“The first is keep it ventilated. Yes, even in the cold winter months try to leave your bathroom window open for at least 10/15 minutes post shower or bath. This will get rid of any excess moisture quickly preventing mould gathering.
“If you’re having a repeat problem with mould in one particular area, it might be because the humidity levels are too high. You can get a dehumidifier that will help keep the levels low and reduce the risk of mould returning.
“The golden rule to remember when dealing with mould is the quicker you can treat it, the better. If you leave it, it will only get worse so never ignore it!
“To successfully get rid of mould every time, I recommend opting for the UK’s No 1 Mould & Mildew Remover, that effectively removes mould and mildew stains almost instantly, with no scrubbing necessary.”
OTHER CHEAP WAYS TO BEAT CONDENSATION
Other dehumidifying items which are similar to salt and don’t break the bank include cat litter and baking soda.
When The Sun tested these products they both brought humidity levels down to 60 – which means they definitely work if you’re looking to reduce condensation at zero cost.
However Unibond Aero 360 dehumidifiers were classed the best solution for fighting damp out of those which were tested in this review.
Refillable moisture absorbers such as these are perfect for absorbing condensation and eliminating bad odours in the home.
You can see when they are filling up so you know that they are working – then you can empty them and start again.
The Unibond absorbers are currently available for £10.12 in Sainsbury’s with a Nectar Card – reduced from £14.
However you can also buy less common brands on Amazon which work just the same.
You can currently buy a pack of 10 Vivo Technologies dehumidifiers for just £11.99 on Prime.
That’s £1.20 an absorber which lasts up to four months – so around 30p a month.
The Sun recently explained the benefits of reusable dehumidifier bags.
The bags were originally designed to be placed in cars but homeowners have noticed they can be useful anywhere – including around the house.
The Simply Reusable Car Dehumidifier can be bought from Halfords for as cheap £7.99 making it a bargain investment compared to the Unibonds Aero 360 considering its unlimited use.
The compact bag absorbs and releases moisture due to its silica gel interior and features a heat sensor which changes from blue to pink to indicate when it needs to be “recharged” back in a microwave.
Meanwhile, we also tried a heated airer and dehumidifier for drying clothes without heating.
Will Owen from Uswitch also recommended: “If you are struggling with condensation, opening your windows for a few hours a day can help.
“Try to do this as much as you can while the weather is warmer, as it becomes harder when temperatures drop in winter.”
He also reminded us that extractor fans are great at sucking up any humidity.
With most bathroom fans all you need to do is turn your bathroom light on and off and that usually does the trick.
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