Waking up to a van that’s wetter on the inside than the outside? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Condensation is the uninvited, drippy guest on every winter vanlife adventure.
But fear not! We’ve battled the damp for years (14 of them on a boat, no less!) and lived to tell the tale. Here are our top tips to stop your home-on-wheels from turning into a personal rainforest.
First, the science bit (don’t fall asleep!)
Condensation happens when warm, moist air (like from your breath, your pasta pot, or your post-hike socks) meets a cold surface (like your windows). The air panics, can’t hold the moisture anymore, and dumps it everywhere. Rude.
So, our battle plan is two-pronged:
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Stop making so much moisture.
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Stop your van from getting so cold.
Let’s get to it.
Your Anti-Condensation Arsenal: 12 Ways to Fight the Damp
1. Embrace the Heat (And Your Higher Gas Bill)
The simplest trick in the book. Keep your van consistently warm and the surfaces won’t get cold enough for the air to have its little panic attack. An oil-filled radiator on a campsite hook-up is your best friend.
2. Crack a Window (Yes, Really)
I know, it’s counter-intuitive when you’ve just paid to heat the thing. But letting the humid air escape and fresh, dry air in is a game-changer. Especially do this while cooking or boiling the kettle. Your windows will thank you.
3. Become an Extractor Fan Fanatic
That whirly fan above your stove? Use it! The one in the bathroom? Turn it on and leave it running after a shower until the steam has packed its bags and left. This is your moisture-sucking superhero.
4. Buy a Window Vac. Just Do It.
This is the single greatest invention for vanlifers since the spork. This magical device sucks up condensation from your windows in seconds. It’s weirdly satisfying and worth every penny. Trust us.
5. Be a Campsite Mooch in Winter
We love free camping. But in winter? We love campsites with their unlimited, free-to-use (well, included-in-the-price) laundry and shower facilities even more. Dry your towels on their radiators, not yours.
6. Stop Drying Your Laundry Inside
Hanging wet clothes up inside is basically just throwing a water vapour party. In winter, you are not invited to this party. Use a laundromat or that fancy campsite dryer.
7. Get a Dehumidifier (But Not the Plug-in Kind)
For a motorhome, the little disposable moisture traps are brilliant. Tuck them in cupboards, under seats, and in your wardrobe. They silently suck up moisture and ask for nothing but an occasional replacement. The true MVPs.
8. Let Your Cupboards Breathe
Don’t slam everything shut. Leave cupboard doors ajar and cushions slightly away from walls when you’re not using the van. Stagnant air is a mould’s best friend. Be a bad friend.
9. Check for Leaks (The Sneaky Kind)
Sometimes the damp isn’t condensation—it’s a leak! Check around windows, vents, and anything you’ve drilled into the roof (like a solar panel). A tube of silicone is a vanlifer’s first-aid kit.
10. Use Thermal Window Covers
These work like double-glazing for your van. By putting an insulated barrier between the cold glass and the warm interior, you drastically reduce condensation. They also add privacy. Win-win.
11. The Wild Card: The Washing-Up Liquid Trick
Rumor has it that a tiny, invisible smear of washing-up liquid on your windows stops condensation from forming. We haven’t been brave enough to try this (visions of bubbly, smeary windows haunt us), but if you’re feeling adventurous, report back!
The Bottom Line:
You’ll never eliminate condensation completely, but you can definitely win the fight. Combine a few of these tips—maybe heat, a cracked vent, and some moisture traps—and you’ll be enjoying crisp mornings and dry windows in no time.
Now go enjoy that winter trip without needing a canoe to get from bed to the driver’s seat
