Motorists have been told to place cat litter inside their vehicle as a simple DIY hack to deal with a major issue affecting almost all cars this Autumn and Winter. As the temperatures drop, car condensation can become a serious problem with windscreens likely to mist over.
A thin layer of steam over the windscreen is caused by a massive difference in temperature between the inside and outside of the car. The warm, moist air inside the car hits the cold glass surface, steaming up and making it almost impossible for road users to see out of their windscreen. One of the best ways to deal with the problem is by purchasing dehumidifier products, but those with a pet can achieve a similar result in seconds.
Experts at StartRescue explained: “A cheaper but equally effective way to help reduce condensation on car windows is to fill an old sock or pair of tights with cat litter. This may sound like a strange solution for dealing with car condensation, but the clay particles in cat litter are excellent at absorbing excess moisture from inside your car.”
Cat litter is good at absorbing condensation because it is designed with porous granules. These pores create a large surface area that attracts and holds water molecules in place, drawing vapour away from the interior.
It means the presence of cat litter will lower the overall humidity and reduce the amount of condensation road users have to deal with. Driving with an obscured car window as a result of condensation is against the rules and could see motorists slapped with penalties.
Road users can be fined up to £1,000 for making the mistake and could even be hit with penalty points on their driving licence. Swansway Motor Group stressed that cat litter should be placed in a sock and stuck on the dashboard.
They explained: "Many drivers experience the frustration of fogged-up windows during the colder months. This is often due to wet shoes, damp clothing, or melting snow, which increases the humidity within the car. However, there's a simple little trick that can prevent this – using cat litter."
"Cat litter, particularly the clay-based type, is designed to absorb moisture, making it the perfect material for reducing humidity inside your car. By filling a cotton sock with the litter, taping it shut, and placing it on your dashboard, you create a natural dehumidifier that stops condensation from forming on the windows.
“This trick is especially useful in autumn and winter when fogged windows are more common."