Home hack: Salt may help reduce window condensation. The simple household trick could help tackle excess moisture

Struggling with foggy windows, damp window sills and winter condensation at your homes in US and UK? A surprisingly simple household hack suggests putting a bowl of ordinary table salt near your windows could help absorb moisture and reduce the buildup.

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Why do windows get covered in condensation?

Condensation commonly appears when warm, moist indoor air meets a cold window surface. The temperature difference causes water vapour in the air to turn into tiny droplets on the glass.


The problem can become more noticeable during colder weather, particularly when windows are near a radiator or another heat source. Persistent moisture around windows can also contribute to dampness and create conditions where mould may develop. That is where the salt hack comes in.

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How can salt help with condensation?

Salt is known for its ability to absorb moisture from the surrounding air. The idea is simple: place some salt in a small bowl or container and leave it on the window sill.

As the salt draws in moisture, it may help reduce some of the excess humidity around the window. The Weather Network notes that placing a bowl of salt on a window sill could help reduce condensation. It is an inexpensive trick worth trying, especially if you already have table salt in your kitchen.

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How to use salt near your windows

You don't need much equipment for this household hack.

• Take a small bowl or shallow container.
• Add a generous amount of ordinary salt.
• Place it on the window sill.
• Leave it near a window where you regularly notice condensation.
• Check the salt regularly and replace it when it becomes damp or clumpy.
• The salt should be positioned securely so it does not spill onto the sill or floor.

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Will salt completely stop window condensation?

Probably not. Salt may help absorb some moisture, but it isn't a substitute for addressing high indoor humidity or poor ventilation.

If your windows are constantly wet, try improving airflow by opening windows briefly, using extractor fans when cooking or showering, and avoiding excessive moisture buildup indoors.

The salt trick is best viewed as a simple extra step, rather than a complete solution for dampness.

A simple trick for foggy windows

The appeal of putting salt near windows is that it costs very little and takes almost no effort. With condensation caused by moisture in the air, using a substance that can absorb humidity seems like a logical household experiment.

So, if you wake up to foggy windows and wet window sills, putting a bowl of salt near the glass could be worth trying—while keeping ventilation and humidity control as the main ways to tackle persistent condensation