Salt absorbs excess moisture from the air and can reduce the appearance of condensation.
With the onset of cold weather, many apartments experience condensation on the windows. This leads to dampness, mold, and even damage to the frames. One of the folk methods to avoid this problem is to place a bowl of salt on the windowsill. This was reported by IFLScience.
"Condensation is not a matter of one specific temperature, but rather the difference between two temperatures: the air temperature and the dew point temperature. The dew point is the temperature at which dew can form, meaning when the air becomes saturated and can no longer hold water vapor. Any additional cooling leads to the condensation of water vapor," the experts noted.
When vapor turns into droplets that run down the window, it creates a favorable environment for mold.
In this case, salt acts as a natural desiccant. It absorbs moisture from the air, so fewer droplets may form on the glass. Both regular table salt and rock salt are suitable for this purpose. It is only important to replace it when it clumps together due to moisture.
However, scientists warn that this method is not universal. Salt effectively absorbs water only at very high humidity — above 74% at 20 °C. In most rooms, this figure is lower — from 30 to 60%, with a maximum of 70% in damp rooms.
So, salt may help a little, but it does not completely eliminate the problem. The most reliable way to avoid condensation is regular ventilation and the use of an air conditioner or dehumidifier.
