condensation on inside of windows in the morning.

[Toowittoowoo]

We have Upvc windows which look as if they were fitted in 1995 so I am aware that we should be looking at changing them - unfortunately we do not currently have enough money. DC 2 is due any day so we will have 1 year of mat leave followed by 1 year of 2 sets of nursery fees. After that we will be in a finacial position to do something about the windows. In the mean time is there anything we can during the autumn and winter to reduce this problem. We already keep the windows open a crack all day and night but the blackout blinds do get mouldy and I need to replace them every 6 months or so. There is also a thin strip of black speckled mould around the windows which goes when I clean it but always comes back.

Any advice gratefully recieved as they are still covered in water and I opened the curtains and blinds at 7am (2 hours agao). Should I be wiping the windows every morning or should I be leaving it to dry naturally?

(Meant to add if it is relevant that the house dates to early 1980s so is not old and draughty).

[PigletJohn]

'mmm, if it happens in occupied bedrooms only, it probably is that breathing habit.

However, water vapour is lighter than air, so does rise up through the house until it escapes or condenses.

Condensation in downstairs rooms, which you do not seem to have, is often due to a water leak under the floor.

[steppemum]

well, we had this badly, and now have it much much less.

1. fit an extractor fan to the bathroom.

The warm air goes round the rooms upstairs and finds the coldest place and that is where is condenses. Get less warm wet air and you will get less condensation.

1. Fit and extractor fan in the kitchen and use it every single time you put on cooker, even the oven (my dh who is a bit obsessed about it even puts it on when he boils the kettle)

1. When you have condensation, use a rubber edged wiper and a cloth to get rid of the water in the morning, then open the windows. We fitted trickle vents in every window, having them open a crack does the same (but is much colder)

1. stop drying washing. Ok so that isn't realistic, but there is something like 1-2 litres of water in every load. So if you dry it in spare bedroom, close the door, open window. Or use the tumble dryer, or get one of those clothes horses with a heater at the bottom, and use it in the spare room. We have put up a place to dry clothes in utility room, and fitted and extractor fan in there and keep the door shut. When I have lots of washing to dry and put some on kitchen radiator, we suddenly get lots of condensation again.

1. Use the Dettol anti mould bleach spray on every bit of mould in the house. It took us about 3-4 months, and now the mould doesn't grow back when we have a bit of damp.

It does work, we still have a couple of bad spots, which we have to keep dry and clean.