15 Straightforward tricks to Cease Condensation in your Motorhome, Campervan or RV

Nervous about condensation in your campervan, motorhome, caravan or RV? You’re in the correct place- we’ve acquired all the most effective suggestions and tips to scale back your vanlife damp woes.

Don’t neglect to seize your FREE motorhome winter guidelines under that can assist you keep in mind every thing.

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Condensation in Campervans & Motorhomes- The Downside

I like street tripping out of season. Campsites are quieter, the roads are much less busy and you may go to some AMAZING locations with out queuing for hours. 

HOWEVER- cooler climate brings one actually annoying companion… condensation.

Whether or not you’re in a motorhome, campervan, caravan, RV or boat- you’ll want to discover methods to cease or cut back condensation or damp. In any other case, out-of-season touring goes to change into fairly depressing.

(Alternatively, simply run away someplace heat, like these 7 warmest locations in Spain in winter!)

I lived on boats for 14 years earlier than we acquired a motorhome, so have been doing battle in opposition to condensation for a REALLY very long time. On the plus aspect, I’ve change into actually good at managing/ stopping that annoying moisture throughout your home windows, particularly within the morning, to not point out the damp in your cabinets.

Whether or not you’re new to motorhomes and campervans or been doing it for some time,  listed here are 15 of the most effective tricks to cease condensation in your motorhome or camper, which we hope will provide help to get pleasure from journeys in your van all 12 months spherical. 

Shutting down your motorhome/ camper for winter?

Seize your FREE winter shutdown guidelines right here

Condensation in a Motorhome- What Causes It?

Don’t panic- I’m not going to get technical on you.

In (very!) fundamental phrases, condensation is attributable to the quantity of water within the air growing (actually because we’ve breathed it out!) This air, now filled with water vapour, touches one thing chilly, like a window.

The air is then cooled down too rapidly and may’t maintain the moisture in it anymore, so the vapour turns to liquid on the chilly floor it’s touching.

You’ll discover the most condensation within the coldest a part of your van, which for us is the entrance cab home windows as we don’t actually warmth that.

So, there are two primary methods to do away with campervan condensation (or not less than cut back it!).

First is to cut back the quantity of water vapour within the air. Second is to cease that air getting chilly. Simples. 

Tricks to Cut back Damp and Condensation in your RV, Motorhome & Caravan

The next suggestions will provide help to both cease condensation and damp utterly, or offer you methods to scale back and take care of it if it does happen. Not all suggestions will work for each motorhome or campervan- give all of them a try to see what works for you. 

1- Preserve your motorhome heat

That is my most popular resolution to cease condensation in my motorhome and it really works, though it’ll enhance your prices.

Heating your motorhome or campervan and conserving your area at a cushty temperature stops the air cooling down sufficient to trigger condensation. I ought to level out that when it will get REALLY chilly exterior, this now not works so properly. 🙁 

You need to use an oil stuffed radiator in case your van is plugged into mains power- these work very well and are secure to depart on for lengthy durations, though you could want to put it on a timer to scale back prices.

2- Open a window

A easy resolution, particularly should you’re residing in your motorhome, however not all the time enjoyable if it’s freezing/ raining!

Getting some recent air into your motorhome permits air with much less water vapour to enter, lowering the humidity and due to this fact lowering the extent of condensation which may happen. Simply you should definitely decide your moments.

There’s no set rule on how lengthy it’s important to have it open for- clearly the longer the higher! We all the time open a window or a vent each time we’re cooking.

I do know, this appears to contradict level one, however heating from cooking typically includes steam, which incorporates… you guessed it = moisture! That’s why one thing like a low-wattage sluggish cooker or an air fryer is a good suggestion 🙂

For a similar causes as above, when you’ve got an extractor fitted both in your toilet or kitchen, use it to clean up the air, particularly after a bathe/ whereas cooking.

Showers are the hardest- a lot sizzling, moist air which must go someplace.

I depart our vents open for a few hours after a bathe and maintain the toilet door shut as a lot as attainable in order that air doesn’t get out into the remainder of the Motorhome.

4- Get a Handheld Window Vacuum cleaner

These items are GENIUS! Battery operated, simple to scrub and work very well to take away condensation for home windows in simply a few minutes!

I had by no means heard of them earlier than we acquired a Motorhome- now I’m undecided how we ever lived with out one!

A window vac undoubtedly one of many best methods to take away condensation from Motorhome, RV, Boat or camper home windows.

My favorite model is Karcher, however there are different sorts on the market- examine them out right here (UK)

5- Use Campsite services if out there.

I like wild tenting in our motorhome. I. LOVE. It. Just about another web page on this web site will inform you why wild tenting is preferable to campsites for me.

BUT, in winter, we use campsites much more.

I additionally use their services extra, each for showers and for laundry/ drying garments. (See under.)

6- Don’t hold up moist garments/ towels to dry

A method I avoid wasting cash throughout summer season is use a laundrette to clean my garments, then hold them up within the toilet to dry in a single day. It really works nice.

However don’t do that in winter should you can keep away from it.

All that further moisture within the air will trigger havoc to your condensation ranges.

7- Can you employ a dehumidifier in a motorhome or campervan?

I don’t use plug-in dehumidifier’s on the motorhome, I exploit stand-alone, disposable packets, like they’ve labored very properly. I even have hanging ones, to scale back moisture within the wardrobe.

In case you are in search of a dehumidifier, I’ll share a few of the greatest ones under.

NOTE- a dehumidifier will NOT take away mildew. As soon as that has began, every thing wants a radical cleansing with disinfectant, after which all of it must be dried completely and left with adequate airflow.

8- Create airflow round your camper

One factor I often undergo from when residing on the boat is mildew/ mould- attributable to not permitting sufficient airflow into our cabinets/ drawers/ wardrobes. (Often after it had been vacant for per week or extra.)

Because of this, I usually depart every thing open/ ajar when going travelling- it stops the mould. You are able to do one thing comparable on the motorhome- both lower small holes or match a vent to permit airflow to cabinets which don’t have already got them.

Or don’t put garments in cabinets which don’t have airflow into them. Having mentioned that, mildew additionally impacts paperwork and books, so watch out what you allow onboard if you’re not utilizing your van.

9- Bear in mind cushions and seats want love too!

You want airflow round your cushions and seats- so be certain that to tug them out a bit of so that you just don’t come again to seats coated in horrible inexperienced spots- which is damp/ mildew.

I usually take away our cushions if we’re not utilizing the motorhome for some time.

10- Put a protector over your home windows

There are a number of methods to do that, and it really works precisely like double-glazing; you’ve a buffer between the chilly floor and the nice and cozy air contained in the motorhome. I attempted it when residing on a ship and it labored…okay.

However it appears to work a lot better on the motorhome. Our coldest half is our cab, so silver or thermal screens on the outside cut back the issue. It doesn’t cease it utterly, but it surely does cut back it.

You may as well get enjoyable ones with eyes right here.

NOTE- the pull-over fitted screens contained in the cab are nice for privateness, however don’t cease condensation because the air simply circulates round them.

11- Preserve issues clear and dry

Whether or not you’re utilizing your motorhome all through winter or not, conserving your cabinets clear will certainly assist to scale back damp. Damp is attributable to condensation (or different moisture) sitting unchecked for too lengthy.

It could actually trigger severe issues for each the automobile and your well being. You possibly can cut back the probabilities of damp/ mildew by growing airflow, cleansing out cabinets and drying them completely after cleansing. Your campervan storage will get simpler too.

Do NOT put something into your cabinets/ wardrobe which is damp. This consists of coats and sneakers. If you happen to’re packing a motorhome, strive to not put something damp again into the cabinets. 

12- Examine for leaks in your campervan

It’s in all probability frequent sense, but when your van is leaking, you’re going to get extra moisture into your area. Moisture= condensation when it’s warmed up, so be certain that there are not any leaks.

I carry a tube of silicone with us- simply in case!

Widespread locations which leak are across the motorhome television aerial, the van wifi antenna or something you’ve drilled, like a photo voltaic panel or awning.

Can You Use an Electrical Dehumidifier in a Motorhome?

For some cause, folks appear apprehensive about utilizing an electrical dehumidifier in a motorhome. It’s completely secure, so long as you observe the producer’s directions and keep in mind to empty it often.

Personally, I wouldn’t depart an electrical dehumidifier switched on within the motorhome for a protracted time frame (whereas on a driveway for instance), particularly if I wasn’t there to control it. Nonetheless, it’s actually not an issue in a single day whilst you’re there.

You possibly can add it to your Christmas listing, together with these different excellent motorhome presents!

Professional’s of utilizing an electrical dehumidifier in a motorhome

• Secure round pets! It is a large one for us- disposable dehumidifiers are dangerous to animals if ingested.
• Straightforward and environment friendly to make use of
• You don’t want to fret about shopping for replacements
• In all probability kinder to the atmosphere, as there may be much less plastic wastage.

Cons of utilizing an electrical dehumidifier in a motorhome

• You want 12v or mains energy & one thing dependable to plug it into.
• You should keep in mind to empty it.
• It takes up area.

There are many dehumidifiers in the marketplace. Make SURE the one you’re ordering has an automated shut off when it will get full and a plug acceptable to your nation (you’d be amazed what number of don’t include a plug!)

See my suggestions under.

What’s the BEST 12v Dehumidifer for a Motorhome or Campervan?

I’ll be trustworthy (as all the time!) and inform you that we’ve REALLY struggled to discover a dependable 12v dehumidifier for my motorhome. I’ve tried a number of models- and so they’ve all both failed inside just a few days or not made any distinction in any way.

That’s why I favor packing containers or sachets like these.

Nonetheless, I’m actually happy with the electrical dehumidifier that we used use on the boat. They work nice within the motorhome too, however clearly, you want mains to run them on.

RANDOM Bonus Tip to Cease Condensation in your Motorhome!

Okay- full disclosure- I haven’t tried this however I assumed I’d share it in case it helped anybody out.

APPARENTLY, should you put a very skinny coating of washing up liquid over the within of your home windows/ windscreen, it stops condensation.

My guess is the washing up liquid creates a barrier between the chilly glass and heat air= lowered condensation! It sounds a bit odd to me- absolutely the washing up liquid smears and obstructs your imaginative and prescient?? And cleansing it off should be a ache.

If you happen to’ve tried it, let me know if it really works!!

So there you go, the most effective suggestions that can assist you cease condensation and damp in your motorhome or camper. I hope they provide help to get pleasure from journeys in your van all 12 months lengthy.

Final replace on 2025-08-02 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Pictures from Amazon Product Promoting API

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