
How to Reduce Condensation in Your Home

Nasutsa Mabwa
May 11, 2018Have you ever noticed a thin layer of water droplets on the inside of your home’s windows? In-home moisture problems caused by condensation are especially noticeable on the chilly spring days that break up the warmer weather, and while those droplets may seem innocent, they could mean that you have a major problem on your hands.
Modern homes have many features that improve your energy efficiency, but they also stop natural air ventilation. If you have moisture inside the house, this air has no way to get outside. Water vapor occurs naturally from everyday living (showering, boiling water….and of course, breathing!), but when the humidity gets too high, you’ll see water showing up on the inside of your windows. Eventually, you may also notice the effects of in-home condensation via peeling wallpaper or other structural damage.
Here at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons, our professionals frequently deal with in-home condensation problems. When a client approaches us with a short-term bout of moisture, we have a list of condensation-reducing tips and tricks ready to go:
1. Check the washer/dryer to make sure it is properly vented. Up to two liters of vapor can be emitted into the air from one load of laundry.
2. When cooking, boiling water or taking a shower, ensure your kitchen or bathroom door is closed to prevent moisture from going into colder rooms where it can create condensation.
3. When possible, dry your clothes outside to prevent moisture build-up in the air. Leaving your laundry room windows open is a good alternative if you cannot move the clothes outside.
4. Avoid using portable gas bottles and paraffin heaters.
5. If you have potted plants that require watering, you might notice damp spots on the wallpaper behind them. If this occurs, try moving the plants outside or closer to the center of the room.
6. Be mindful of how full your wardrobe and cabinets are. Overly filled cabinets trap and breed moisture. If the clothes in your drawers or closet seem damp or smell musty, try dispersing the volume of clothes over various storage spaces.
7. If there’s a room in your home that you use more often than others, try opening a window when the weather is warm outside. This will help ventilate the room.
8. If you have an extractor fan in your bathroom and/or kitchen, make sure it’s turned on when you cook or shower.
9. Make sure furniture is at least 50mm away from surrounding walls to ensure better air flow and ventilation in every room.
10. After you shower, you’ll notice beads of moisture on the mirror or sink counter. Wipe down those surfaces so mold cannot form. This way you can avoid having to invest in mold cleanup services in the future.
If none of these solutions work for your home or if your battle with in-home condensation and mold has been long-term, you may want to consider professional, permanent solutions. For example, the installation of energy-efficient extractor fans can help remove extra moisture, while double glazing, loft insulation and draft proofing can reduce the amount of heat lost from a property. For further help combatting mold in your home, don’t hesitate to call the professionals at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons today!
ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is a MBE/WBE certified minority and women-owned and family run company serving Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest, and the North Shore. The business provides disaster restoration services for
damages caused by water
, fire, flooding,
mold remediation
, and a wide range of interior specialty cleaning (hoarder/clutter, post construction, carpet cleaning & upholstery cleaning) to residential and commercial customers residing in Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest and the North Shore. For more information, give us a call at 773-376-1110 or visit
servicemasterbysimons.com.
Nasutsa Mabwa is the CEO of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a nationally recognized, award-winning disaster restoration firm serving Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties. Under her leadership, the company has become one of Chicagoland’s most trusted providers of water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke damage cleanup, mold remediation, and specialty cleaning services for both residential and commercial clients.
A respected business and civic leader, Nasutsa has received numerous honors for her contributions to the industry and her community. Her accolades include:
- Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies - 2025 recipient
- Top 100 Women to KNOW in America (2024) by KNOW Women & JPMorgan Chase
- Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40
- SB100 Best of Small Business Award
- 2020 BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics
- Stevie® Award for Female Entrepreneur of the Year
- 2020 Daily Herald Business Ledger C-Suite Award
- 2018 ServiceMaster® Achiever Award
She is IICRC-certified in both Water Damage Restoration (WRT) and Fire & Smoke Restoration (FSRT), combining technical expertise with visionary leadership. Nasutsa holds a Master’s in Urban Planning & Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an MBA in Real Estate Development from Roosevelt University.
Beyond her business achievements, Nasutsa is an active community advocate. She is a Board Member of the Civic Federation, an Advisory Board Member, and Past President of the Executive Committee for the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. She is also a long-standing member of the Women Presidents Organization (WPO).
She is the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset, an essential guidebook for homeowners navigating the challenges of water and fire disasters.
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