Since this type of product is made with double-glazed windows that have several chambers, such windows are prone to fogging.
To get rid of the problem, it is recommended that you become more familiar with the means that eliminate condensation, and also find out what substances and recipes will help eliminate fogging of window products.
Is it possible to rub window panes to prevent them from sweating?
The problem of fogging and condensation collecting on windows is not new. Such difficulties are often encountered by apartment owners where window products are installed incorrectly . Another cause of fogging is poor ventilation.
This also includes the difference in temperatures outside and in the room, and high humidity in the room.
Windows are often covered with condensation only in the lower part of the glass unit, which indicates that condensation accumulates around the entire perimeter and flows down.
When faced with the problem of fogging, owners are looking for quick solutions, but without eliminating the original cause, it will be difficult to solve this problem .
One of the most common options is to rub the window product with soapy water. Dirty and greasy glass, especially in rooms where smoke accumulates, holds condensation very well. If you remove dirt and grease from the glass, there is a chance that drops of moisture will not linger on the surface of the glass unit.
Note! For the technique to work, it is important to carefully check the quality of ventilation, as well as normalize the temperature and humidity in the room where double-glazed windows are installed.
Ventilation rules
Ventilation equipment is an effective solution to the problem of “crying” windows in an apartment.
| Function | Meaning |
| Micro-ventilation | A function that all Eurowindows are equipped with. The window remains slightly open with a thin slit of free space. Thanks to this, fresh air enters the room and does not cause discomfort to the people inside. |
| Window | Unlike wooden ones, plastic windows are rarely equipped with a window. It is better to order designs with a window so as not to interfere with the access of clean air from the street. |
| Combs | An inexpensive device that allows you to regulate the intensity of ventilation. |
| Self-ventilation | It is provided in the frame design in the form of numerous holes under the glass. Through them, fresh air enters the house, mixes with warm air and is discharged through the openings above the double-glazed window. |
Combs for windows
Suitable substances
There are several substances and folk remedies that will help eliminate fogging of a window indoors:
- glycerol;
- alcohol or vodka;
- saline solution;
- newspapers;
- chemicals with weak acids and surfactants;
- shaving cream.
Each of the proposed methods has its own principle of influencing condensate.
Glycerol
This is a trihydric alcohol that can be found in any home, because it is added to almost all detergents and cleaning products.
This substance dissolves well in water and alcohol, so glycerin is often mixed with alcohol to eliminate condensation on windows.
Glycerin cleans glass and creates a barely noticeable film on the surface of the glass, which prevents drops of moisture from accumulating on the surface.
Alcohol solutions
Vodka or alcohol have a cleansing effect and remove all debris and dirt from the surface of the glass unit.
Thanks to this, glass treated with such substances will not attract condensation, and if it does appear, it will not linger for long.
If you make an anti-fog agent based on glycerin and alcohol, the effect will be more expressive. This is due to the fact that glycerin reduces the surface tension of water droplets and, in combination with alcohol, gives a better result , whereas when using the substance separately, a greasy film forms on the surface of the glass.
Salt based
It is known that salt is a substance that can draw water. This is why a saline solution can prevent moisture from appearing on windows.
Important! When using a saline solution, all the salt must be dissolved in water, otherwise there is a risk of abrasive damage to the glass unit.
Use of newspapers
The use of newspapers is important not only for simply cleaning glass from dirt, since newspapers do not leave streaks, but also for removing fogging.
The newspaper ink used to print text contains a substance that can rub the glass unit and protect it from the accumulation of moisture droplets. It is recommended to try this option first: if it turns out to be ineffective, you should move on to using chemistry.
Store-bought defoggers
To remove the formation of ice and moisture on windows, use purchased products. They are available in aerosols and liquid form. Aerosols are consumed much more economically , while liquid formulations are more expensive, but more of them are needed.
The task of such anti-foggers is to prevent the sudden appearance of condensation. The products contain alcohol, additives and flavorings. When alcohol gets on a glass surface, its adhesion decreases. Because of this, small drops become larger, and under the influence of their own weight they roll down. The glass remains clean.
Anti-foggers for car windows work according to this principle, so if you can’t find a product for home, you can use compounds for cars .
Shaving product
Another unusual, but no less effective method is the use of shaving cream or foam. This method is considered “old-fashioned” but it helps against fogging, including the windows in the car. You can use any shaving foam or cream, even expired ones. The principle of operation is that the product contains glycerin, which prevents fogging.
Note! Some apartment owners with this problem also recommend using toothpaste - it will act on a similar principle.
Everything is transparent
How to wash the glass of plastic windows so that they remain transparent longer? This problem is especially acute for those whose houses have windows overlooking busy roadways. The reason for this is car exhaust, which contains oily structures that settle on the glass with a sticky film, and dust already sticks to it.
Why do plastic windows break?
No matter how reliable and easy to use plastic windows are, even this practical system sometimes fails.
We will analyze the most common causes of failure and find a solution to the problem. The main enemy of fat stains is alcohol, in particular methyl and ethyl. Both are toxic substances, the vapors of which can harm the health of household members. An alternative to them has long been ammonia or vinegar. But both of these substances also smell unpleasant and are unsafe to use: if your hand shakes while preparing the composition, you can get serious burns to the skin and respiratory tract.
The solution is industrial means. And although they contain the same ammonia and vinegar, their quantity is regulated by international safety requirements.
You can reduce the harm to health if you wear a respirator during work and thoroughly ventilate the room afterwards. The contained substances not only effectively wash away the grease film, but also, with the help of an antistatic agent, prevent dust from sticking - so the glass stays clean longer and the washing process is easier.
Tools and accessories
In order for the process of eliminating the problem with double-glazed windows to be carried out in a short time, it is recommended to prepare all the tools and devices in advance, namely :
- rags;
- rubber scraper;
- container with water;
- brush with bristles;
- sheets of paper.
This is a standard set for washing glass, but it is also useful for solving the problem of condensation.
It is better to take two types of rags: fleece-based and woolen .
Fleece or viscose rags are very good at cleaning the glass surface from dirt.
A woolen rag is suitable if you need to apply a certain composition to the surface of the glass and rub it in.
also use a microfiber type cloth that does not leave streaks on the window.
A rubber scraper is necessary if there are old stains on the surface of the window that have become embedded in the glass. Most likely, you won’t be able to remove them with a regular rag, so you’ll have to wet the surface and use a scraper. For the same purposes, you also need a brush that will help remove dust that has settled on the windows.
You should choose a container with water that is convenient for washing the window. If the surface is large, it is better to take a bucket and periodically change the water in it. Sheets of paper are also needed if rags still leave marks on the glass.
Why do wooden windows in a private house sweat between the frames?
Moisture on the glass between the frames may indicate excessive sealing on the outside. Sealing all the cracks in the frame from the outside will not prevent fogging, since moisture is present in the air in any case. When the temperature drops to the dew point in winter, it appears on the glass.
As a result, the wood swells, the transparency of the glass decreases, and ice and snow patterns form.
There are two ways to prevent this process:
- install sealed frames with maximum air removal;
- make holes for air ventilation between the frames.
The first option is provided by modern double-glazed windows. But such an opportunity is not always available. If there are ordinary wooden windows, then the problem is solved by establishing air ventilation through the holes in both frames and closing them with a fine mesh, foam rubber or other breathable material to prevent insects.
Step by step instructions
To get a positive result, it is recommended that you read the step-by-step instructions for using each of the listed products.
Use of glycerin
First, you need to treat the glass unit with soapy water - this will help remove all dirt and congealed dust on the surface. Next you should follow the instructions :
- Mix glycerin with alcohol in a ratio of 1:10.
- Wipe the window with a microfiber cloth.
- Prepare several cotton swabs.
- Wet the swabs alternately in a solution of glycerin and alcohol and wipe the glass from top to bottom.
Important. Much attention should be paid to those places where condensation was usually noticed. It is important not to wash off the applied solution, but to leave it for a couple of hours. If streaks appear on the window, they can be removed with a soft cloth.
How to remove fogging from windows using glycerin:
Alcohol or vodka
Vodka or alcohol can also be used without glycerin. To do this you need to follow the instructions :
- Dissolve the detergent in warm water and mix.
- Use a soft cloth soaked in soapy water to remove dust and dirt from the glass.
- Wipe the glass with a dry, lint-free cloth.
- To completely remove excess moisture, you need to run a scraper along the surface of the glass.
- Soak a foam sponge in alcohol or vodka.
- Gently lubricate the glass with a sponge.
It is important to wait until it dries completely and do not wipe the window with alcohol after treatment.
Newspapers
This method is considered the most accessible, since old newspapers are found in almost every home. To process glass using this technique, you must :
- Take clean newspapers.
- It’s good to crumple them and unfold them.
- Wipe the glass from dust and dirt with soapy water and a microfiber cloth.
- Unfold the crumpled newspapers and wipe the dried glass with them.
Note. Printing ink has a water-repellent effect, so condensation will not form on the surface of the window in the future.
Shaving foam
Few people know that with the help of ordinary foam or cream, shaving gel, you can prevent the appearance of dampness and condensation on the windows. To do this you need :
Wash the glass well with soapy water.- Wipe the glass dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Prepare the foam: it can also be expired - it doesn’t matter.
- Apply a thin layer of foam from the dispenser onto the glass.
- Gently rub the foam into the glass.
- Treat all glass in this manner.
- After 2 minutes, wipe the glass completely dry.
You can use this technique often without fear of damaging the quality of the glass unit.
Liquid saline solution
Salt can draw out moisture, so the use of a saline solution will be justified. To do this, follow the instructions :
- Dissolve an incomplete tablespoon of salt in 4 liters of warm water.
- The solution is mixed well.
- After a couple of minutes, the solution must be filtered through a sieve to remove undissolved grains of salt.
- The glass is first cleaned of dirt and dust and wiped with a cloth.
- A clean rag is soaked in the solution and the glass is wiped with it.
Note! If after treatment with the salt composition a white film appears on the glass, then it is necessary to dilute the solution with water and repeat the procedure again.
Chemical goods from the store
The simplest, but not the most budget-friendly way to save windows from fogging is to use commercial glass anti-foggers. How best to do this :
- purchase a composition made in the form of an aerosol;
- following the instructions, spread the composition on the surface of the glass;
- wait for the product to take effect;
- wipe the glass dry.
The cost of such products starts from 120 rubles; you can also use compositions designed to eliminate fogging of windows in the car interior.
We fight the dirt in advance
We have already told you earlier how to wash plastic windows. One of the important points is that they must be washed immediately after installation, just wait for the sealant to dry.
It is necessary to immediately remove the film and wash the window sills of the frame, glass and window sills - in that order.
When choosing detergents, it is very important to pay attention to what is written on the containers. In particular, we recommend compounds that have antistatic properties - thanks to them, dust and small lint will not be attracted.
Under no circumstances should you use polishes and furniture cleaning products - although they contain antistatic agents, they themselves consist of mineral oils. By wiping your windows with this product, you can say goodbye to glass transparency for a long time.
Preventive measures
Knowing what exactly causes fogging of surfaces in the house, try to prevent such a problem. For this:
- remove bulky furniture in front of the radiators, clear the space for normal circulation of warm air;
- carefully cover the cracks in the wooden frame with sealants, use adhesive foam tape or paper tape;
- ventilate the room from time to time;
- It is worth setting up a good ventilation system in the kitchen and bathroom.
It is also important to follow simple rules in the process of putting things in order:
- Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands;
- cover the windowsill with oilcloth or rags to prevent aggressive substances from getting on it;
- When using special household chemicals, you need to read the instructions for use to avoid critical mistakes.
Why do plastic windows sweat from the inside and how to fix it?
If a double-glazed window fogs up not from the outside, but between the panes, then there can only be one reason - defective double-glazed windows. This is the manufacturer's fault, since the double-glazed window must be sealed.
This problem can be solved simply - by replacing the double-glazed window (only it, and not the entire window structure - the profile remains the same). The double-glazed window is installed within a few minutes - to do this, the glazing beads are removed.
It is clear that this work must be carried out by specialists. In addition, if you contacted a qualified company, then the replacement of a defective leaking double-glazed window will be free of charge - after all, this defect is covered by a guarantee (it must be stated in the contract).
This happens because there is only one layer in the profile, and also because of the minimum distance between the glasses. Savings are not welcome here, especially since the service life of high-quality plastic windows is measured in decades.
