Condensation happens when moisture from warm air comes into contact with a cold surface, when warm air inside the passenger compartment meets cold glass, the windows get blurry. That’s why fogging is common during cold weather.

To prove this concept, breath close to the window inside the car when it’s very cold outside. Since your breath is naturally warm and full of moisture, it will instantly create a mark on the window.

Moisture and warmth are enhanced inside a vehicle by five common examples:

  • Wet clothes
  • Cold weather
  • Damp car flooring
  • Hot food
  • Couples getting intimate

Sometimes, the concept of condensation can be reversed, especially if car windows are concerned. If it’s hot outside while it’s cold inside your car, fogging may occur. However, it’s not as intense since cold air contains less moisture.

THE SOLUTION TO FOGGING CAR WINDOWS DEPENDS ON THE WEATHER

It’s not always cold outside. If it’s a sunny day and you windows are foggy, you need to use another method.

  • COLD WEATHER

    If it’s a cold day, you would prefer to activate the heater. Unfortunately, that will lead to fogging. In case you experience that, do the following steps:

    1. Adjust the heater to its highest setting.
    2. Activate the air conditioner.
    3. Turn off recirculation mode.
    4. Slightly open the car windows for a few minutes.

     

    Once you activate the AC, it will absorb a big amount of moisture inside the car in an efficient manner. Then, when you turn off recirculation, dry air finally enters your area.

    The last step is for a more thorough defogging. When you crack a window, the colder air outside will completely eliminate humid air inside the vehicle.

 

 

  • HOT WEATHER

    Just like the first method, you also have to regulate the temperature inside the car when it’s sunny outside. So, you clearly have to make the interior warm, too.

    The tricky part is this: condensation is on the exterior surface of the car window. You have to wipe the window clean from outside. At least with windshields, you just have to use the wipers.

    To defog the outer part of the windows, you have no choice but to make a little sacrifice by dealing with hot weather for a while.

    What you need to do is simply adjust the AC to its lowest setting. You might even have to turn it off if the fog keeps on appearing. You should also turn off recirculation mode.

    If you don’t mind the wind, just open the car windows. It can be uncomfortable to deal with hot weather if the AC is low and the windows are closed.

 

 

HOW TO PREVENT CAR WINDOWS FROM FOGGING UP

You can avoid the hassle of defogging if you know how to maintain clean car windows. Nobody wants to shiver or sweat inside the car just to eliminate condensation.

Here are the basic preventive measures:

  • Clean your car windows regularly so they can resist moisture (remove adhesives carefully – if ever – to avoid permanent white streaks on the glass).
  • Park with two open windows if it’s safe (especially if you have an adult present inside).
  • If you’re alone, crack the second-row windows (one inch) when you park your car.
  • Open the front windows if your car is in a garage.

Finally, here are two strange methods that are surprisingly effective for defogging.

  • THE POTATO METHOD

    For some reason, moisture from potatoes makes fogging less likely to happen. After cleaning your windows, here’s what you should do:

    1. Slice a potato in half.
    2. Wipe the potato’s flesh all over the window (cut a small portion of the potato if there’s dirt buildup on it).
    3. Remove streaks of the potato’s starch, if any.
    4. Wipe the flesh again to the surfaces where you removed starch streaks (be careful not to create more streaks).
    5. Leave the windows untouched for five minutes.

    Don’t hesitate to use more than one potato if it’s not enough for covering all car windows. You may also use spoiled potatoes to avoid using ones that are still good for consumption.

 

 

  • THE CAT LITTER METHOD

    Cat litter is excellent at absorbing moisture.

    Here are the steps:

    1. Position a big roll of tape across one sock.
    2. Pour cat litter into the roll which serves as a funnel.
    3. Wrap the sock with another sock.
    4. Place the bundle of cat litter anywhere in the passenger compartment.

    Don’t expect this method to work instantly. It will need days for completely absorbing moisture in your car. Remember, it is a long-term solution, not an emergency defogging option.

 

 

 

 

Source: Car Brands

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