I put salt in my bathroom to reduce condensation - the results were a complete surprise

I combined a cup of salt and a Himalayan salt candle holder in my bathroom to see if it would help reduce condensation, and it had surprising results

View 4 Images

Condensation can be a real headache, leaving unsightly damp patches and being a persistent problem in many UK homes.

Triggered by the cold weather, it's a frequent issue due to high humidity and poor ventilation, and it's tough to tackle without either spending loads on heating or shivering with the windows open.

Experts rave about dehumidifiers as a top solution for controlling home condensation. If you're thinking of getting one, rest assured it'll make an impact.

However, salt is often recommended for those watching their pennies or keen on DIY solutions, like me. With the recent icy conditions hitting the UK, I noticed more moisture in my bathroom and decided to try this tip.

Following advice from the clever folks at Posh.co.uk, a home and garden furniture brand, I put a bowl of salt on my windowsill. Andy Ellis, a specialist at Posh.co.uk, said: "Salt has the ability to naturally absorb moisture from the air and essentially dries it out so that when it does come in contact with the glass, there are less droplets of condensation that will form."

View 4 Images

He added, "It's a really easy trick that requires no effort at all. Simply fill a shallow bowl or a small jar with some salt—table salt or rock salt."

Every property expert I encountered emphasised the need to adjust the amount of salt used according to the window size. "Generally speaking, the larger the window, the more salt you'll need, though usually one small bowl should be fine," advised Andy.

I decided to use a small cup filled with table salt; rock salt is significantly pricier. In hindsight, it probably wasn't enough.

However, the results were immediate, with less condensation gathering on my bathroom windowsill the next morning. Although there was still some condensation in my bathroom after my shower the following evening, I noticed it dried up much faster overnight.

The evidence was clear, with the top of the windowsill almost completely clear. A little water had collected on the windowsill, but far less than before I tried the salt trick.

View 4 Images

View 4 Images

Andy's advice that "you'll know when it's time to replace [the salt] because the salt will appear damp and begin to clump together" proved accurate. By the second day, after the salt had been in the bathroom, I observed that it had become a bit more solid, but after shaking it back into fine crystals, it continued to work for another two days.

I paired the cup of salt with another useful item - a Himalayan salt candle holder. This solid and slightly heavy item was originally bought as decoration, but it's now serving a practical purpose in the bathroom.

When lit with a tealight candle, the candle holder is placed in a bowl to gauge its moisture-absorbing capabilities fully. Salt candle holders can help reduce condensation in your home, as salt is hygroscopic, meaning it draws in moisture from the air.

However, it's worth noting that these salt candle holders may not significantly reduce condensation when unlit. Their moisture absorption relies on the heat produced by the candle, which evaporates the absorbed moisture. When they're not lit, they'll still draw in moisture but might not evaporate it swiftly enough to make a significant difference.