Crack down on condensation

When the warm air meets the cold window pane it forms little drops of water which can damage your decor.

With double and secondary glazing, condensation can occur between the panes, which isn't good for the window frames, especially if they're wooden.

n To help to protect the frames, wipe off the condensation in the mornings - from both the glass and the frames - and open the windows. Even if you can only open them for a short time before going to work, this will help to clear the condensation more quickly than not doing it.

n If you have wooden window frames, keep an eye out for damaged and deteriorating paintwork. If you spot any, sand the area down, apply a little wood filler to blend the bare and painted wood, sand when dry and paint over with wood primer, then topcoat, preferably using a quick-drying one. Keeping the paintwork in good condition will help to protect the frames from the moisture.

n Condensation also happens on walls, particularly in the kitchen, because of the steam generated by cooking, and in the bathroom, when you shower or bath. Having efficient extractor fans is important - get a qualified electrician to fit them if you don't have any - and, again, open your windows whenever possible.

n Not ventilating a room that suffers from condensation can lead to mould on the walls, particularly in hidden places, such as behind the curtains and bed. To deal with this, scrub it off with mould cleaner and wait several weeks to see if the problem reoccurs. If you wipe off the condensation and open your windows daily, it shouldn't. If the mould has marked your walls and you can't get the marks off, simply give them a fresh coat of paint, but only if you're sure you've cracked the cause of the mould. If you still have a problem, call in a damp expert.

Ask the expert

Q: What's the best way to strip paint off panelled doors?

A: You'll save a lot of time if you get them professionally dipped and stripped - it's much less hassle than stripping the doors yourself with paint stripper and/or a heat gun, and shouldn't be too expensive. The main problem is that the dip only gets rid of oil-based paint, so you'll have to remove any water-based paint yourself. This shouldn't be too difficult, though