Keep Windows from Fogging

Chilly weather and humidity can fog up car windows and the windows in your home quickly. Not only can fog leave streak marks, but it can also be a hazard if you’re trying to drive! Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to get rid of fog and keep it from happening again.

Steps

Car Windows

1. Warm up your engine for 5 minutes before you start driving. When you first get in your car, turn it on and then let the engine run for a couple of minutes to give the heating system a chance to warm up. If your car doesn’t warm up, it’ll take a while for your heater, air conditioning, or defroster to start working.
   • If you go back inside, don’t leave your car running. This is an easy way for your car to get stolen.
2. Blast the defroster on HIGH to dispel the moisture fast. Most cars have a defrost button that will circulate the air in the car to get rid of the fog. Turn this up high to start defogging your windows before you start driving.
3. Turn your heater on as soon as you start the car if it’s cold out. As soon as you get into your car, turn your heat on to warm up your windows and disperse some of the air. If it’s cold out, you may need to wait a few minutes for your engine to warm up before the heat starts working.
   • If it’s warm out, you don’t need to turn on your heater. Just use the air conditioning instead.
4. Crank up the air conditioning right away if the weather is hot. If it’s warm out, turn on your air conditioning to suck the moisture off your windows and reduce the fog. Your car engine may need a few minutes to warm up before the AC can really start working.
   • Air conditioning removes the moisture from the air to cool it down, so it will help to get rid of any fog or condensation on your windows.
5. Roll down your windows if the air outside is dry. If the outside of your car is less humid than the inside, roll down your windows to let in some dry air. If it’s raining out or the humidity levels in your area are super high, you can keep your windows rolled up.
   • If it’s super cold out, you may not want to keep your windows rolled down for too long.
6. Put damp clothes and accessories in your trunk. If you have a wet umbrella, gloves, winter coat, or a hat, the moisture from those items could fog up your windows. If you can, try putting those items in the trunk to keep them away from your windows.Template:Greenbox: '''Variation:''' If you’re out and about somewhere and you can’t leave your items behind, try putting them in a plastic bag to seal in the moisture.
7. Clean the inside of your windows with a window cleaner once a month. Fog sticks to dirty windows more than clean ones. Once a month or so, wipe down the inside of your windows with a window cleaner and a lint-free cloth to get rid of streaks and grime.
   • Make sure you use a glass window cleaner so that it doesn’t leave any streak marks.
8. Apply an anti-fog product to the inside of your windows. Spray a thin layer of anti-fog spray onto a clean cloth, then wipe it over the inside of your windows. Let it dry for about 1 minute before touching your windows.
   • You can find anti-fog spray at most auto stores.
   • Anti-fog spray will prevent moisture from building up on your windows so that they can’t get foggy.
9. Absorb moisture by tucking kitty litter or silica packets in your car's interior. Fill up a sock with kitty litter or put a few silica gel packets in your car and leave them there. It may take a few days to start working, but the litter or the gel will absorb some of the moisture in your car to prevent fog.
   • Silica gel packets are harmful when ingested. Keep them away from children and pets.

Windows in Your Home

1. Run a dehumidifier near windows to reduce moisture in the air. Often, fog and condensation are caused by humidity. Set up a dehumidifier near your windows to get rid of some of the moisture in the air.Template:Greenbox: '''Variation:''' If you are using a humidifier, try turning it down. It could be producing too much moisture and making your windows fog up.
   • If you have an air conditioner, it will also act as a dehumidifier.
2. Turn on a fan to distribute the air around your window. Set up a box fan or a rotating fan and point it at your windows. This will help to dry out the area and get the air moving so the moisture doesn’t collect on the glass as much.
   • Fans also help to distribute the air around your home to prevent mold or mildew.
3. Open up your windows to circulate the air in your home. If it’s not humid or raining outside, crack your windows open so that they can dry out and get some new air. If it is raining or it’s more humid outside than in your home, keep your windows closed so you don’t make the fog worse.
   • You can usually check the humidity of the air outside on your local weather report.
4. Turn on the fans in your bathroom and kitchen when you shower or cook. Most bathrooms and stove tops have fans to remove steam from your home and send it outside. If you are taking a shower or cooking, be sure to turn these fans on to get rid of some of the moisture that could accumulate on your windows.
   • Using the fan in your bathroom will also help to prevent mold and mildew.
5. Dry your clothes outside instead of hanging them in your home. If you don’t have a tumble dryer and you hang your clothes to dry, try setting up a clothes line or clothes rack outside to let the moisture dissipate into the air. When you dry your clothes inside your home, the moisture sticks around and could accumulate on your windows.
   • If you can’t dry your clothes outside, try pointing a fan at them while they dry to circulate the moisture a little bit.
6. Move your houseplants away from the windows to avoid moisture. House plants release small amounts of water vapor throughout the day as they photosynthesize. Keep your houseplants away from your windows to avoid fog or condensation.
   • If your houseplants need a lot of sun, try keeping them in an area that gets a lot of indirect light to avoid putting them near a window.
7. Put up storm windows to provide a layer of protection. If you have storm windows, or an extra layer of windows to put on the outside of your existing ones, attach those using the hardware that they came with. This will add some protection from the cold air outside your windows so that they’ll stop fogging up.
   • If you already have double-paned or storm windows with condensation in between panes, you may need to tighten up the seal on your windows.
8. Apply a weather stripping kit to seal your windows. Wash off your windows and windowsills with soap and water for a clean base. Cut the weather stripping foam to fit the top, bottom, and sides of your window. Peel off the adhesive backing and apply the foam to fill in the cracks between your window and the windowsill.
   • You can find weather stripping kits at most hardware or home improvement stores.

Warnings

• Some home remedies like toothpaste or shaving cream are marketed as anti-fog. However, they may not work on your windows and could even leave streaks or marks.

Things You’ll Need

Car Windows

• Window cleaner
• Anti-fog spray
• Cloth
• Kitty litter or silica gel packets

Windows in Your Home

• Dehumidifier
• Fan
• Clothes rack or clothes line
• Storm windows
• Weather stripping kit
• Scissors

References

See also

• Replace a Doorbell Chime
• Find the Right Window Tint Percentage for Your Car
• Replace and Fit Flexi Blade Windscreen Wiper Blades
• Install Wiper Blades
• Fix Windshield Wipers Stuck in Upright Position
• Fixing Your Cracked or Chipped Windshield
• Negotiate the Cost of Windshield Replacement
• Install a Windshield
• Temporarily Repair Your Windshield
• Set Car Window Openings for Extreme Vortex Cooling

Read more ...