Sarah stared at the window condensation that had become her daily enemy. Every morning, the same ritual: wiping down the glass, watching it fog up again within minutes, feeling that damp chill seep through her bones despite the heater running constantly. Her heating bill had already jumped 40% compared to last winter, and December had barely started.
Then her elderly neighbor Margaret mentioned something that sounded almost too simple to work. “I just leave a bowl of salt water by my bedroom window,” she said with a shrug. “Room feels so much drier now.” Sarah laughed it off initially, but desperation makes you try strange things.
Three days later, she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The persistent fog on her windows had dramatically reduced, and that musty morning smell was nearly gone.
Why your windows become winter’s wettest problem
The real culprit behind those bone-chilling mornings isn’t just low temperatures. It’s the invisible moisture hanging in your air, creating a perfect storm of discomfort and energy waste.
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When we seal our homes tight for winter, we trap everything inside: steam from cooking, moisture from breathing, humidity from drying clothes indoors. This creates what building experts call a “vapor prison” where relative humidity can spike to uncomfortable levels.
“Most people don’t realize their indoor humidity climbs to 60-70% in winter,” explains Mike Chen, a home energy consultant from Portland. “That excess moisture condenses on the coldest surfaces first, which are usually your windows.”
The salt water window trick works on the same principle as those aluminum foil summer solutions, just attacking a different problem. While foil reflects heat away from windows in hot weather, salt water draws moisture out of the air during cold months.
How the salt water method actually works
The science behind this simple solution is surprisingly elegant. Salt is hygroscopic, meaning it naturally attracts and absorbs water molecules from the surrounding air. When you place a bowl of salt water near your window, you’re essentially creating a moisture magnet.
Here’s exactly how to set up your salt water window trick:
- Use a wide, shallow bowl or dish (cereal bowls work perfectly)
- Fill with regular tap water, leaving about an inch from the rim
- Add 2-3 tablespoons of table salt and stir until mostly dissolved
- Place the bowl on your windowsill or nearby table
- Replace the water weekly or when it gets cloudy
“I was skeptical until I tried it in my basement bedroom,” says Jennifer Walsh, a teacher from Minnesota. “Within a week, I stopped waking up to soaked windows every morning.”
| Room Size | Bowl Size Needed | Salt Amount | Replacement Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small bedroom | 1 cereal bowl | 2 tablespoons | Weekly |
| Living room | 2 shallow dishes | 3 tablespoons each | 5-7 days |
| Basement/garage | 1 large mixing bowl | 4-5 tablespoons | 10 days |
The unexpected benefits beyond just dry windows
What starts as a simple window condensation solution often leads to discovering multiple improvements around your home. Reduced humidity means your heating system doesn’t work as hard to warm damp air, potentially lowering energy costs.
Lower moisture levels also discourage mold growth in window frames and nearby walls. That musty smell that seems to linger in winter bedrooms often disappears within the first week of using the salt water method.
“My clients report sleeping better because the air feels less heavy,” notes Dr. Rachel Kim, an indoor air quality specialist. “When humidity drops from 70% to around 45-50%, people notice the difference immediately.”
Some households combine the salt water trick with other moisture-control strategies:
- Running bathroom exhaust fans longer after showers
- Cracking windows for 5-10 minutes daily when possible
- Moving houseplants away from frequently fogged windows
- Using lids while cooking to reduce kitchen steam
When salt water works best (and when it doesn’t)
The salt water window trick shines in moderately humid conditions but has limitations. Homes with severe moisture problems from leaks, poor ventilation, or structural issues need more comprehensive solutions.
You’ll see the best results in bedrooms, bathrooms without exhaust fans, and rooms where you notice regular window fogging. Basements and ground-floor rooms often respond particularly well because they tend to trap moisture naturally.
“I use it in my home office where I have a humidifier running,” explains Tom Rodriguez, a remote worker from Ohio. “It helps balance things out so I’m not constantly wiping down my computer desk near the window.”
The method works less effectively in extremely dry climates or homes with forced-air heating systems that already remove significant moisture. You’ll know it’s working when you can run your finger across the window glass and come away dry instead of wet.
For maximum effectiveness, place bowls within three feet of problem windows and avoid areas where they might get knocked over. Pet owners should position bowls safely away from curious cats and dogs, though the salt concentration used isn’t dangerous if accidentally consumed in small amounts.
FAQs
How often should I change the salt water in the bowl?
Replace the water weekly or whenever it becomes cloudy or develops an odor. Fresh water works more effectively at absorbing moisture.
Can I use any type of salt for this trick?
Regular table salt works best. Sea salt and rock salt also work, but avoid using expensive specialty salts since you’ll be replacing the water regularly.
Is it safe to leave salt water bowls around pets and children?
The concentration is generally safe, but place bowls out of reach of small children and pets who might drink large amounts or knock them over.
Will this completely eliminate window condensation?
It significantly reduces condensation in most cases but may not eliminate it entirely in homes with severe humidity problems or very poor insulation.
Can I add anything else to make it work better?
Some people add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance, but avoid additives that might reduce the salt’s moisture-absorbing properties.
How many bowls do I need for a typical room?
Start with one bowl per problem window. Larger rooms or spaces with multiple windows may benefit from 2-3 bowls placed strategically.