Households urged to put bowl of salt on windowsills this autumn

The autumn chill is now starting to set in and as temperatures continue to fall it won't be long until it's time to turn on the heating.

As well as the cold weather, the autumn season brings with it another downside in the form of condensation on your windows. That pesky layer of water droplets can become a familiar sight during the colder months and is caused when warm air inside your home meets the cold surface of the glass, before cooling quickly to form condensation. If left unchecked it can soon lead to a build up of black mould and mildew around your window seal, which can be damaging to your health.

Fortunately, tackling the problem of condensation on your windows doesn't have to break the bank as a cheap kitchen ingredient can do the trick - and that's salt.

Salt has excellent moisture-absorbing properties so it can effectively soak up water vapour from the air and help to prevent condensation from developing.

Experts recommend placing a bowl of salt on windowsills to help dry the air near your window, thereby reducing the amount of water droplets that form on the cold glass and helping to reduce dampness in your home.

Experts at The Spruce explain: "Placing a bowl of salt near the window can help to absorb moisture in the air before it can condense on the windows, though the amount of salt needed and the frequency with which you will have to replace the salt depends on the level of moisture inside the home."

You can pick up a bottle of table salt for just 65p at Sainsbury's Morrisons or Aldi, so it's a cheap and natural way to help battle condensation during autumn and winter when your heating is in use.

Condensation becomes more common as homes heat up and outdoor temperatures drop, and if moisture is left to build up it can lead to damp patches, mould, and possible health risks.

Not only that, it's also a costly issue to rectify. According to MyJobQuote, minor condensation repairs for double glazed windows could range between £300 and £500.

As such, salt is a small but effective tool that can make a big difference in keeping your home drier throughout the colder months.

Experts at Lottomart add: "Regular condensation build-up isn't just unsightly - it can become a breeding ground for mould, which poses risks to household health.

"The method is really easy to follow. All you need to do is fill a small bowl or jar with table salt and place it on your windowsill. Once the salt clumps together, that's your sign to replace it with a fresh batch to keep it working effectively."