Mould and damaged walls are unsightly and costly issues that many homeowners across Britain are having to deal with in winter.

And it turns out, condensation is a factor many of those affected by mould and damp may not take into account or simply overlook.

According to the English Housing Survey, around four percent of the 23million households in England struggle with dampness in at least one room of their home.

Many people turn to various “hacks” claiming to solve the condensation problem, but sometimes these lead to nothing but time and money wasting.

To help improve the conditions of those grappling with condensation issues, indoor living experts Vonhaus have shared their top tip for removing it in just five minutes.

Germans, known for their precision and efficiency, have devised the “five-minute rule” to tackle condensation.

This technique involves opening your windows wide for five minutes each morning, preferably after activities like cooking or showering.

The goal is to replace the humid indoor air with cooler, drier air from outside. It might seem odd to open your windows when it’s freezing outside, but the science backs it up.

Warm air holds more moisture than cool air, so by swapping the humid indoor air for colder outdoor air, you lower the moisture levels inside.

While this trick is effective, it’s not a cure-all for homes that already have high humidity issues.

That’s where a classic hack comes in, suggesting that placing a bowl of salt – sometimes rock salt – on the windowsill can absorb excess moisture from the air.

Salt is hygroscopic, meaning it draws in water molecules, which sounds promising, however, the salt can only absorb a limited amount of moisture before it becomes saturated.

A single bowl won’t be able to handle the humidity from frequent showers or cooking. Think of it as a sponge: once it’s full, it’s done.

And while the idea might work in mildly damp conditions, it’s far from a long-term fix for stubborn condensation.