How To Stop Condensation On Windows in Your Car

Condensation on car windows can be a nuisance, especially in cold weather. It can make it difficult to see outside, making driving more difficult and dangerous as a result. Fortunately, there are several simple measures you can take to stop condensation on your car windows.

In this blog post, we’ll go over how to stop condensation on windows in your car, including the causes, some tips you can use to clear up your windows, and information on how to prevent it altogether.

What Causes Condensation in Your Car?

Condensation forms in a car when warm, moist air comes into contact with colder surfaces. This typically happens when the air inside the car is humid and the outside temperature is cooler. 

But, how does this air transfer happen when your car is just sitting in your driveway? Air travels through windows, air vents, and air conditioner components, even when your car is parked and locked. This difference in air temperature forms condensation, causing windows to fog up and water droplets to form on other surfaces.

How to Clear Up Foggy Windows Quickly

It’s never a good idea to begin driving while your windows are still foggy. You will have poor visibility and might not be able to accurately make up road signs, road conditions, or vehicle distance if your windows aren’t 100% clear.

You also need to ensure that all your windows are completely clear, not only your windshield but also your side and rear view mirrors. It’s always a good idea to leave yourself a few extra minutes in your plan when getting into your car each day to de-fog your windows so that you don’t feel pressured by time to start driving before it’s safe.

In order to quickly de-fog your windows, here are a few steps you should follow:

1. Turn on the air conditioning. Set the fan to the highest setting and set the temperature to cold. This will help to quickly remove any moisture in the air. If your car has a defrost mode, you can use this instead of air conditioning to get a steady airflow that will clear foggy windows.

2. Use a defogger. You can buy defoggers at most auto parts stores, and they work by using a chemical reaction to reduce the amount of moisture that is in the air.

3. Use a microfiber cloth. This will help to absorb any moisture that is left on the windows and will help to prevent the windows from fogging up.

4. Open the windows. This will help to circulate the air inside the car and will help to reduce the amount of moisture in the air. You can just open them a crack if it’s cold, snowy, or rainy outside, as this will help with circulation and defog your windows quicker.

How to Remove Excess Moisture in a Car

There are a few handy tips you can use to help reduce the amount of moisture in your car so that there’s less condensation to begin with. Some of the most common methods include buying specific car products you can find at an auto shop, or getting creative with DIY methods that rely on products you likely already own. Here are a few ways you can reduce excess moisture in your car:

Dehumidify your car

Use a dehumidifier to absorb moisture in your car and reduce the humidity level. There are several different types of car dehumidifiers you can find on Amazon or in your local auto shop that will get the job done.

If you don’t want to splurge on a dehumidifier, there are some household items you can use, like cat litter or baking soda. Both of these items are naturally moisture-absorbent, so you can place either one in a bowl in your car to help absorb excess moisture from the air.

Get the air moving

Turn on the air conditioning and leave it running for a few minutes. This will help to draw out the moisture from the air and reduce the humidity level.

Alternatively, you can leave the windows open for a few hours. This will allow fresh air to circulate in the car and help to reduce the moisture level. Of course, this trick is entirely weather permitting so you want to make sure the forecast doesn’t call for any rain or snow if you plan to do this, otherwise, condensation will be the last of your worries!

Other DIY hacks

You can use a vacuum cleaner to suck up any moisture or liquid on the floor or upholstery of the car. This will help to remove excess moisture and keep your car dry.

Another helpful household item is towels or rags. Place one at the base of your windshield and your door windows to help sop up excess moisture.

Cleaning Condensation from Car Windows

Even after applying different tips and tricks to remove or reduce excess condensation, it’s still likely you’ll need to clear your windows from fog, especially while driving in the cold weather. When this happens, you want to make sure you know how to clean your car windows properly to avoid scratching, damaging, or smudging them. Here’s how you can do it:

• When wiping away condensation on the inside of your windshield or on the outside, always make sure you’re using a microfiber towel to avoid streaks.
• You can use a squeegee inside or outside your car to remove excess liquid from your windows without damaging them.
• Be careful with which sprays you use and where you use them. Sometimes, your windows might have a protective coating on them, and chemicals found in an anti-fog spray can damage them. Make sure you know the materials in your car in and cleaning products before using them.
• Instead of anti-fog spray, you can also use a good glass cleaner with a microfiber towel to get your windows clean. 

How to Stop Condensation on Windows in the Future

In a perfect world, condensation would be entirely preventable and we wouldn’t have to worry about defogging or defrosting our cars in the morning. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, so knowing how to treat foggy windows is important to know. Still, it is possible to prevent some condensation or even make it more bearable with a few easy tricks:

1. Park in a garage or indoor parking lot: While not everyone has this option, it’s the only tried-and-true way to avoid condensation entirely. Even if it isn’t possible for you to park indoors every day, if you know you might be in a rush or you have an important event to get to, try and park in a lot so that you aren’t stressed about defogging your window in the morning.

2. Use a car cover: How can you stop condensation on windows overnight in the winter if you can’t park indoors? Using a car cover is a great solution. They can help keep the surface of your car cool and prevent condensation from forming.

3. Don’t leave wet items in the car: Wet items such as umbrellas, wet clothes, shoes or boots, and towels can cause condensation to form on the windows and other surfaces. Make sure not to leave these in the car when you park.

4. Ventilate your car: After long trips or when leaving your car parked for extended periods of time, open the windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate through the interior. This will help remove any moisture that has built up in the car.

5. Use a Dehumidifier: If you don’t have access to a garage or carport, consider using a dehumidifier to keep the air inside your car dry and reduce the amount of condensation that forms.

To Wrap Up

If you drive in cold weather, chances are you’re going to have to deal with condensation on your windows at some time or another. It’s best to be prepared for when this happens by understanding what causes it, what to do, and how to prevent it. Driving lessons with professionals can also be a great way to learn what to do when there’s condensation in a vehicle if you’re exposed to practicing in different weather conditions. 

Book a lesson package to practice your driving skills