Drivers across the UK are being urged to smear shaving form on windows from October to prevent condensation as temperatures fall. Now that autumn has arrived, there’s a distinct chill in the air and unfortunately that not only means it’s time to break out the winter coats, but it also means battling condensation in your home and car for months on end.
That pesky layer of water droplets on your windows is an all-too-familiar sight at this time of year, and it gets slowly worse as winter approaches. The problem is caused when warm air inside your car meets the cold surface of windows and forms water droplets on the glass as it cools.
If the water is left to sit on the window it can cause black mould and mildew to develop which are both bad for your health, while inside your car it means having to battle foggy, misty windows every morning. But according to experts, all you need to prevent this problem is a can of shaving foam, which you can pick up for a mere 95p at Tesco and Aldi.
The cheap solution works by creating a thin, invisible film on your window that reduces the surface tension of the water, preventing it from forming droplets on the glass and making it less prone to fogging.
The layer of foam is essentially a barrier against moisture which means the water will simply roll off the surface, rather than clinging to it.
Experts at Brindley Garages Group explain how it works on car windows: “The thing about condensation is that it loves to cling to all kinds of dirt, grime, and dust. To stop this dirt-related mist, use a high-quality window cleaner and a microfibre cloth to wipe the windows inside and out.
“You can also add an extra layer of protection by cleaning it with shaving foam. Hear us out; it’s the same thing ice hockey players use to stop their visors from steaming up during games.
“You’ll have to do it repeatedly, but a windscreen cleaned with shaving foam is less likely to be affected by condensation than one that isn’t.”
While shaving foam is effective at preventing condensation, it’s not a permanent fix and will need to be reapplied regularly to tackle the problem.
To apply it, simply squeeze some shaving foam onto a clean cloth and wipe it across your windows so it covers the entire surface. Then use another clean towel to wipe the surface clean. This will leave a thin residue on your window that will act as a protective barrier and prevent it from condensation and misting up.
Experts at the RAC add: “Keeping your windscreen clean will go a long way to stopping it misting up in the first place. A handy tip to go the extra mile is to actually clean your windscreen with shaving foam.
“This protective barrier won't last forever and may need to be repeated regularly, but a windscreen cleaned with shaving foam will be less likely to mist up. It's a little trick ice hockey players use to stop their face masks from steaming up when they're on the ice.
“Take a clean towel and place a dollop of shaving foam onto it. Wipe the windscreen with the towel, spreading the shaving foam over the entire surface. Then take another clean towel and wipe off the shaving foam completely. This protective barrier should help stop your windscreen from misting up, but it will need to be regularly reapplied to continue to work.”
This simple hack can also be used on other surfaces prone to condensation and misting, including windows around your house, or even your bathroom mirror.
A user shared the tip on Martin Lewis’ MSE Forum saying: “You can try coating inside of windows with SHAVING FOAM. Apply it evenly using a cloth, don't use too much just enough to give a thin coating, rub in until windows become clear (will leave a slightly smeary film).
“I use it on bathroom mirrors and car windows all of which remain condensation free for about 4 - 6 weeks. Try it on a bathroom mirror to see effect. DO NOT USE SHAVING GEL.”