Why this Kärcher is the best window vac for condensation
Living in a period conversion flat means having to deal with all the issues that come with an old house - creaky pipes, rattling radiators, and draughty windows, to name a few. But one of the biggest issues I’ve faced in my two-bedroom flat in southeast London is stubborn condensation on my sash windows during the colder months.
Whenever the temperature outside drops below 10C, every window in the flat becomes wet. And I'm not talking about a minimal amount, they're big fat drops that drip down in streaks and form puddles at the bottom.
Kärcher WV1 Window Vac: Quick Overview
🛍️ Product reviewed: Kärcher WV1 Window Vac
⏰ Tested it for: 1 month
⭐ Rating: 5/5
💸 Reasons to buy: Makes getting condensation off windows super easy and effortless, leaving no streaks and windows stay free of condensation all day afterwards
✋ Reasons to avoid: Slight awkward to hold and you may have trouble using it if you have shelves or tables under your windows, is also a bit noisy
💰 Best deal we’ve found: Currently you can only find the window vac full price at multiple retailers, but you can get free postage on Amazon if you're a Prime member
Battery life: 25 minutes | Charging time: 150 minutes | Dirty water capacity: 100ml | Battery type: Lithium ion battery | Works on: Windows, mirrors, tiles, tables, worktops, shower screens
This lightweight, handheld window vacuum is perfect for getting rid of condensation on windows. It can also be used in bathrooms and for cleaning other damp surfaces.
While I love having large windows that let loads of light in - a must-have when so many days are dark and dreary and the smallest bit of sunshine makes all the difference - it means that there’s an awful lot of wiping to do when condensation strikes.
I used to go to each room every morning with a microfibre cloth and wipe down each pane, as high as I could reach. But, on the coldest days, by the time I’ve finished wiping the last window, the first one would be starting to gather condensation once again, making it feel like a never-ending battle.
Aside from blocking your view to the outside world and making it look like you live inside a steamer, too much condensation on the windows can lead to bigger problems if not dealt with quickly.
If left unaddressed, the water on the windows can lead to damp soaking into the window frames and even the surrounding walls. This can not only cause damage to the walls, but also encourage the growth of dangerous mould that can harm your health.
This winter, I finally had enough of constantly wiping the windows every morning and evening. After seeing a window vacuum go viral on social media, I decided to test one for myself and have been ecstatic ever since over how much of a difference it made in my home.
💸 Reasons to buy
My first impression of the new Kärcher window vacuum is that it was a lot lighter than I thought it would be. While some might think it is flimsy, it is anything but - the lightweight device makes it easy to use, particularly when you have to reach up high to get to tall window panes.
The suction is powerful, and I was really impressed by how neatly it vacuumed up the water on my windows with just one stroke. It’s very satisfying to start at the top of the window pane, and watch the water simply disappear as you pull the device down against the glass.
£45 at Amazon £45 at Argos £45 at B&Q £45 at Very £45 at Karcher
I was also pleased to see that it left no streaks on the windows. I had been worried I would have to follow the vacuum with a cloth wipe, but no such extra work was required. The window was left spotless and dry.
The water tank doesn’t hold an awful lot of water, you may find you have to empty it between windows depending on how big or how many windows you have. But this is a small inconvenience compared to wringing out a cloth every time you tackle the windows.
✋ Reasons to avoid
While I don’t have a lot of complaints about the window vacuum, one of the main issues I’ve run into is how awkward it is to manoeuvre when you reach the bottom of a window. Because of the way it’s designed, your hand holds the device at the bottom, and if you have any shelves or tables under your windows, you will run out of space to navigate the window vacuum.
I’ve found that turning the window vacuum on its side to quickly vacuum up the condensation on the lower part of the window works quite well, although I don’t think you’re meant to do this. But it’s the only workaround I have found, and so far, so good.
The other thing that was surprising to me is how noisy the device is. Given it’s so lightweight, I was under the impression is would be quite quiet, but it’s actually quite loud - well, like a vacuum.
This makes early-morning window vacuuming a risky business. If you were hoping to do a bit of quiet window vacuuming while everyone else is asleep, I think this isn’t the device for you.
💰 Best deals we’ve found
This window vacuum is a bit of an investment, although it comes in at under £50 and works pretty hard so I would say is worth it.
Currently there are no deals on the window vac to be found. However, if you're an Amazon Prime member you can get free next day delivery when purchasing through Amazon - so at least that's a small saving.
Shop now: Kärcher WV1 Window Vac | £45 from Amazon
