Motorists throughout Britain are being advised to use washing up liquid in their vehicles to tackle condensation issues. Numerous snow and ice warnings are presently active across substantial portions of the nation, alongside amber and yellow cold health alerts.
The Met Office has cautioned that "wintry hazards" will affect the UK today and into the early hours of Friday as a cold northerly airstream delivers snow showers and icy conditions to numerous regions. Temperatures are expected to drop sharply, possibly reaching -12C in rural Scottish areas and falling below freezing widely elsewhere, meaning motorists are likely to discover frozen windscreens and condensation on their windows come morning.
Condensation is a widespread issue during the chilly autumn and winter period and occurs when warm air inside vehicles encounters cold window surfaces, creating water droplets on the glass as it cools, which can manifest as fog or mist. Condensation typically develops overnight when external temperatures drop and tends to be more noticeable during spells of particularly cold weather, such as the sub-zero temperatures expected overnight.
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Clearing fogged windows can consume a frustratingly long time, which isn't practical when you're rushing in the morning, but fortunately there's a straightforward solution available to help prevent this nuisance - and you only need some washing up liquid. According to specialists, applying a thin film of washing-up liquid onto dry car windows from the inside represents an affordable and practical solution for preventing condensation build-up, as the liquid contains surfactants which reduce the surface tension of the glass, making it more difficult for warm, humid air to condense into water droplets.
Rather than creating a layer of water, the washing-up liquid essentially forms a protective barrier that stops water droplets adhering to the glass and causes moisture to stay airborne, or be wiped away more easily, reports the Express.
Specialists at Home Things state: "By taking a small drop of washing up liquid and rubbing it into the condensation-prone window with a dry cloth you can completely stop the issue all together.
"The washing up liquid forms a barrier on the surface of the windows, preventing the water from sticking. So in the space of just a few minutes, you can put a stop to the damp, mould, and mildew that wet windows can cause."
A bottle of washing-up liquid can be purchased at Tesco for only 63p, making it an incredibly budget-friendly and straightforward approach to addressing this prevalent seasonal issue, though regular reapplication will be necessary as it doesn't provide a lasting solution.
Specialists recommend using it alongside other vehicle features, including activating your air conditioning and heating system, as well as opening windows to encourage air circulation and employing dehumidifying items like silica gel packets to draw excess moisture from the atmosphere. Experts at Mick's Garage have shared a handy tip on how to use washing up liquid in your car, stating: "Take one wet dish cloth, squeeze a good blob of washing up liquid onto it, apply in a circular motion to the whole inside of the screen, then take another clean, dry cloth and gently wipe off.
"The idea is to try and leave some of the washing up liquid on the screen while still getting a dry streak free finish. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the results! Apparently shaving foam also works just as well.
"The technique above will greatly reduce the amount of condensation on the inside of your screen but it won't eliminate it altogether, you're still going to need to use the car's demister, but what are the ideal combination of settings you should use? Well let us tell you!".