Cracking a window is still the simplest fix here, even if it’s annoying when it’s cold.
Yeah, that’s pretty much what I tell folks too. Nothing beats some airflow, even if it means bundling up. I’ve swapped out a lot of old windows for clients hoping for a miracle, but even with new double panes, you still get some fog if the humidity’s high indoors. Dehumidifiers help more than those silica packs, but they’re bulky and not cheap to run. Honestly, sometimes it’s just about managing expectations—old houses especially are always gonna have a bit of “soup air” in winter.
Honestly, sometimes it’s just about managing expectations—old houses especially are always gonna have a bit of “soup air” in winter.
Couldn’t agree more. My place is pushing 90 years old and I’ve tried every trick short of replacing the whole house. Even after insulating and putting in new windows, I still get that foggy glass when we’re all home cooking or drying laundry. I keep a small fan in the kitchen window—doesn’t totally fix it, but it helps. Honestly, I think a little condensation is just part of living in these older homes. If you chase perfection, you’ll drive yourself nuts (and broke).
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve got a 1930s place and despite adding insulation and sealing up drafts, the kitchen windows still fog up every time I make soup or run the dryer. The little window fan helps, but it’s not magic. Have you ever tried one of those moisture absorber tubs? I stuck one in the laundry area last winter and it seemed to help a bit, but I can’t tell if it’s just placebo or actually doing something. Curious if anyone’s had luck with those or if it’s just another thing to clutter up the windowsill...
Tried those tubs under my bathroom sink one winter—honestly, they soaked up a surprising amount of water, but I still had to wipe the windows every morning. I think they help a bit with background dampness, but for kitchen steam, they don’t keep up if you’re boiling stuff or running the dryer. Cracking a window, even just a little, usually does more for me than any of those tubs. Kind of annoying in January, though...
Yeah, those moisture tubs are only a partial fix in my experience too. They’re decent for minor damp, but once you’ve got cooking steam or a hot shower going, they just can’t keep up. I finally bit the bullet and installed a proper extractor fan in the bathroom—made a world of difference. It’s not cheap, but constantly wiping windows was driving me nuts. Small gap in the window does help, but like you said, in January it’s brutal. Sometimes I just run the fan and deal with the noise instead of freezing.
Yeah, moisture tubs are just a band-aid for real humidity issues. I see folks try them all the time, but once you’ve got real steam from showers or cooking, they’re out of their depth. Extractor fans aren’t cheap, but honestly, they pay off in the long run—less mold, less hassle. I’ve put them in older homes where opening a window isn’t even an option half the year. Noise is a pain, but it’s better than peeling paint and soggy sills.
I hear you on the extractor fans. I put one in our bathroom after years of battling fogged-up windows and mildew spots. The noise does bug me, but I found a model with a timer so it shuts off after twenty minutes—no more forgetting to turn it off. Before that, we tried those moisture tubs and they barely made a dent, especially after long showers or when cooking soup on a rainy day. If you’re dealing with constant condensation, it’s worth biting the bullet and installing a fan, even if it takes some getting used to.
If you’re dealing with constant condensation, it’s worth biting the bullet and installing a fan, even if it takes some getting used to.
I hear you on the fan noise. We put in a mid-range extractor last winter—nothing fancy, just something that actually moved air, since those moisture tubs were a joke for us too. The timer’s a lifesaver, but I’ll admit, sometimes I wish it was quieter, especially on early mornings. Still, I’d rather deal with a little hum than peeling paint and black spots creeping up the grout.
One thing I learned the hard way: you’ve gotta keep the bathroom door open a crack after showers, or the fan’s not nearly as effective. We used to leave it shut and wondered why the mirror was still foggy half an hour later. Also, check that the vent is actually ducted outside and not just into your attic—our old setup just dumped the damp air above the ceiling, which was a disaster waiting to happen.
If anyone’s on the fence, I’d say don’t wait for visible mold. Once the mildew sets in, it’s a pain to get rid of and can mess with your walls. The upfront hassle is worth it, even if it’s just for peace of mind.
I get the grumble about fan noise—some of those things sound like a prop plane taking off at 6am. But honestly, a bit of hum is a small price to pay compared to what unchecked condensation does over time. Had a friend who ignored it for a couple of winters, and now he’s basically running a science experiment on his window frames. Not pretty.
One thing I’ll add: if you’re aiming for energy efficiency, look for fans with humidity sensors. They only kick on when they need to, which means less wasted electricity and you’re not running them nonstop out of habit. The upfront cost is a bit higher, but you make it back on your power bill (and fewer hours listening to the fan drone on).
Totally agree about the door—airflow is half the battle. I used to shut the bathroom tight after showers, thinking it would “trap” the steam in one place. Turns out, all it did was trap it on the walls and ceiling. Now I leave it open a crack, and the mirror actually clears up before I’m out the door.
About ducting: you’d think it’d be common sense for builders to vent outside, but I’ve lost count of how many places just dump the moist air into the attic. Recipe for mold, insulation rot, and eventually a whole new headache. If you’re not sure where your fan vents, it’s worth a quick check in the loft. I found out the hard way when I had to replace half my attic insulation thanks to years of hidden moisture.
Mold is a pain, but it’s also a sign you’re losing heat somewhere—warm air meeting cold surfaces means you’re probably leaking energy too. Good ventilation plus a bit of insulation where you can manage it is a solid one-two punch. Not glamorous, but it keeps both your bills and your windows clear.
About ducting: you’d think it’d be common sense for builders to vent outside, but I’ve lost count of how many places just dump the moist air into the attic.
It’s wild how often that happens. My place had the bathroom fan venting straight into the crawl space—didn’t notice until I started getting musty smells in the bedroom above. Took ages to figure out where it was coming from. Also, good call on the humidity sensor fans. I wish they weren’t so pricey, but not having to remember to flip a switch is pretty sweet. Anyone ever tried those window insulation kits? I swear by them when things get drippy, though they’re a pain to put up every winter.