Now it’s winter and it’s vital you clear your car’s windscreen of condensation properly. In comparison with scraping ice off your windshield, doors that won’t open, and needing to swap tires, car condensation doesn’t seem like one of the biggest problems that comes with drawn in nights of autumn and winter That doesn’t stop it from being a major annoyance on frosty mornings though. Excess water in the form of condensation can leave your car feeling cold and damp inside, have a musty smell, damage the fittings, and impair visibility. Follow our guide to learn how to prevent condensation on windows and how to remove damp before it causes some real problems.

What problems can condensation cause?

Condensation on inside the windows can cause some larger problems than just delaying the start of your journey by a few minutes. If water breaches the seals and gets into the car’s electrical systems it can cause the engine to misfire, electric windows to fail, or doors to not lock properly. This last issue can be especially dangerous, and all of these problems can be costly to repair and certainly keep you on the driveway for more than just a few minutes.

Condensation can also cause mold in cars. After droplets and damp have formed on the glass of your car (or indeed other surfaces such as car seats), mold can start growing as small black dots on the windows and on cars’ fittings. It can in turn lead to the window seals being damaged. It is, therefore, critical that you know how to stop condensation in cars from forming.

How can we get rid of condensation and stop it from forming?

If you come into the car and notice that the condensation has formed overnight, the most important thing is being able to try and balance out the temperature between the air and the windscreen. One of the simplest ways of doing this is to use your heater and demister, but start by keeping the temperature cold at first. Set the system to full and point them at the windscreen and windows. Using AC at the same time will help to keep the air dry. If your car has a heated windscreen, this can be used in conjunction with them too. Keep gradually increasing the temperature until the windows are clear.

Also, there are several ways to prevent condensation from forming in the future and guarantee yourself a dry car: 

• Clean your windows

Since moisture tends to cling to particles of dirt, a grubby window is a haven for condensation. Cleaning them inside and out with a car window cleaning product and a clean microfiber cloth will be the most effective way to stop any dirt from causing condensation.

• Use a wet vacuum

This doesn’t mean taking your Dyson in the bath with you. A wet vacuum is an essential tool for any motorist, especially if you have a convertible. These vacuums have modes specifically designed to pick up heavier objects, like water droplets, by slowing down the suction speed and will mean that you can easily get rid of condensation from the windows of your car.

If you notice that you’re getting more condensation than usual, then vacuuming between the seats, armrests, and the central console will make sure that all the water droplets in your car are removed and there won’t be any damp. Wiping the carpet and seats with dry cloth towels can also help to soak up any moisture trapped in the seats.

• Use moisture trapping products 

There are also granules and moisture traps that can help you soak up moisture in harder to reach areas and that actively trap and absorb all of the moisture in the air. A good moisture absorber in cars or a dehumidifier bag for cars will ensure that you minimize the risk of condensation in the future.

• Let the sunshine in

Open the doors, windows, and sunroof and let the sunshine in! This is sure to dry out the car either through the sun’s rays, or the warm, dry air absorbing the water vapor. If a leak has puddled on the floor, take out the mats and leave them in the sun to dry for a while until the moisture has evaporated.

• Removing leaks and sources of dampness

Drying might be a short term solution, but getting rid of the sources of the dampness is the key to removing condensation for good. The door membrane, fold-down roof edges, sunroof, seals, weather strip, heater matrix, and air conditioning systems are all frequent sources of leaks. A broken pollen filter can also be a problem.