"Then I cracked open the windows for about 10 mins each morning (yeah, even when it's cold...) to let fresh air circulate."
That's dedication, but honestly, cracking windows in winter feels counterproductive to me—you're just letting in more moisture from outside air, especially if it's rainy or snowy. I found better luck sealing gaps around the window frames and using insulating film kits. Sure, they're a bit fiddly to install, but they cut condensation way down without freezing your toes off every morning. Just another angle worth considering...
I've tried both approaches—cracking windows briefly and sealing them up tight—and honestly, both have their pros and cons. Ventilating for a few minutes in the morning did seem to help me, but yeah, it does feel counterintuitive when you're trying to keep the house warm. On the other hand, sealing up tight with film kits worked wonders for insulation, but I still occasionally got some stubborn condensation.
I'm curious though...have you checked your humidity levels inside? Last winter, I borrowed a friend's hygrometer (one of those cheap digital ones) and realized my indoor humidity was way higher than I thought. Once I started running a small dehumidifier in the bedroom for a few hours each day, the window fogging practically disappeared. Maybe it's not just about ventilation or sealing gaps—could indoor humidity be part of the issue too?
"Maybe it's not just about ventilation or sealing gaps—could indoor humidity be part of the issue too?"
Totally agree, humidity plays a bigger role than most people realize. A few winters back, I had similar issues even after sealing windows tight. Got myself a hygrometer and found humidity hovering around 65%...way too high. Added some moisture absorbers (those cheap calcium chloride tubs) in problem rooms and ran exhaust fans a bit longer after showers and cooking. Made a noticeable difference without needing to crack windows open in freezing temps.
Humidity definitely matters, but sometimes it's not just about lowering it—it's about finding the right balance. Last winter, I went a bit overboard with moisture absorbers and ended up with super dry air. Sure, the windows stopped fogging, but then we had static shocks everywhere and dry skin issues. Not fun.
Eventually, I settled on keeping humidity around 40-45% (got a cheap digital hygrometer too, they're handy). Running exhaust fans after showers and cooking helped a lot, but I also found that leaving bedroom doors open during the day improved airflow enough to keep condensation at bay without drying things out too much. It's all about tweaking things until you find that sweet spot...
I've been struggling with the same balancing act lately. Curious—did you notice a difference in comfort levels at night after leaving bedroom doors open? I usually keep mine shut, but maybe that's adding to my humidity swings...
"I usually keep mine shut, but maybe that's adding to my humidity swings..."
Keeping doors open can help even things out a bit, but honestly, it won't solve everything. Airflow matters, sure, but if your windows are fogging up regularly, it's usually a sign of deeper ventilation or insulation issues. Have you checked if your window seals are intact? A quick test: run your hand along the edges on a cold night—any drafts mean trouble. Might be worth a look before changing your nightly routine too much...
"run your hand along the edges on a cold night—any drafts mean trouble."
Did this last winter and found a breeze strong enough to fly a kite, lol. Ended up resealing the windows myself—wasn't pretty, but hey, no more indoor fog machine every morning...
Did the DIY sealing thing once—never again. Sure, it stopped the drafts, but it looked like I'd attacked the window frames with toothpaste. Ended up peeling it off (not fun) and going with those shrink-wrap insulation kits. They're cheap, easy enough, and you barely notice they're there. Plus, bonus points for satisfying hairdryer action and zero fogging since...
Those shrink-wrap kits are honestly underrated. I've seen plenty of DIY sealing jobs, and you're right—some end up looking pretty rough. Good call switching over; they're effective, subtle, and way less hassle in the long run.
Totally agree about the shrink-wrap kits. I used to be skeptical, honestly thought they were just cheap plastic gimmicks. But last winter, after my DIY caulking job turned into a messy disaster (seriously, it looked like a toddler went wild with toothpaste), I finally gave in and tried one out. Surprised me how easy it was—just a hairdryer and some patience—and the results were way cleaner than anything I'd managed before. Plus, it actually made a noticeable difference in keeping the room warmer. Only downside is that peeling them off in spring can be a bit annoying if you're impatient like me...but still beats scraping dried caulk off window frames any day.