How to control condensation in a caravan
At some point in your life as an owner, you may notice small droplets of water forming on the inside of your caravan, particularly in the winter. Welcome to the wonderful world of condensation.
Condensation in static caravans occurs primarily in confined spaces, but in order to fully grasp the impact of condensation, as well as explore the potential problems and outline control methods, it’s important to first understand what we’re dealing with.
What causes condensation?
Condensation is caused by high moisture content in the air. When warm air comes into contact with cold surfaces, the water vapour is turned back into a liquid. This is also why it tends to be a greater challenge in winter, when there’s a larger temperature gap between the heated interior of your holiday home and the cold weather outside.
In caravans there are loads of ways condensation can occur. Some of the routine processes and activities that cause condensation in a caravan are:
Poor ventilation, especially on colder days when heating up the caravan is required. When doors and windows are kept closed it prevents moisture from escaping and fresh air from coming into the caravan.
Cooking, as well as other activities such as showering or boiling water in the kettle will also cause condensation. These activities will release moisture in the air, and also naturally heat up the air in the caravan.
The weather. Besides the fact that colder weather has the effect of making surfaces such as windows cold, it also ordinarily forces us to keep the windows and doors closed, which circles back to the issue of poor ventilation.
Wet items, such as towels or laundry, or even dogs which have been in the sea, will contribute to condensation. These can all create a more humid atmosphere inside the caravan.
People themselves are a contributing factor to condensation due to the most naturally occurring process of all: breathing. The more time people spend inside a caravan and the more of them there are (say for example, you have guests round), the moister the air inside it will be.
Preventing condensation
It’s important to limit condensation for several reasons, but chief amongst these is preventing mould. Mould inside your static caravan is not only an eyesore but isn’t great for health either. It can damage a lot of items in your caravan, from curtains to mattresses. If condensation is allowed to build up over days and weeks, it can also cause damp patches or even small pools of water. These will eventually cause stains and rot.
Condensation is always going to occur in your static caravan, but it can always be prevented from doing damage. Here are some of our top tips for controlling static caravan condensation while the caravan is in use:
Ventilation, which is essentially just encouraging airflow throughout the caravan. Do this by opening some windows as soon as you arrive back after a period away, and whenever possible while you’re in your van. This will allow the moisture to escape rather than build up on interior surfaces. It will also enable damp places to dry out more quickly.
Using fans and vents is a great way to encourage the airflow. Cooker hoods and bathroom extractor fans are both vital tools for removing moisture. Always switch them on when cooking or showering and leave them on for a while afterwards as getting rid of the moisture can take longer than you’d expect.
Wipe down all surfaces. Appreciate that your static caravan is a cosy space and naturally prone to condensation. Make a habit of using kitchen roll, or a clean cloth, to remove moisture wherever it has settled before it has the chance to become a mould problem.
Should you need to do any laundry, avoid drying clothes inside, as this will increase the moisture in the air. If you have a tumble dryer, make sure it vents to the outside.
Put lids on pans when cooking, reducing the steam and preventing the air inside the caravan from being heated up faster.
Regulate your heating patterns so the caravan warms up gently, rather than all at once.
Invest in a dehumidifier. These can lifesavers, as we explain below!
Here are some more hints and tips to help prevent condensation in a caravan courtesy of Lindsay, one of our experienced owners at our Hopton Holiday Park in Norfolk:
Leaving bowls of salt in every room in the caravan, to absorb moisture. Cat litter can also be used, but salt works best.
All curtains and fabrics should be moved away from windows to avoid them getting mouldy. In the event that they do attract mould, using sterilising liquid is the best solution.
Move all mattresses away from walls to avoid them getting damp, and subsequently mouldy.
Make sure to thoroughly clean and hoover carpets before leaving the caravan over an extended period of time to avoid mould.
Stack all seat cushions, pillows, and anything similar in the middle of the room.
Leave all cupboard and wardrobe doors open to avoid the confinement that will lead to dampness.
Vacuum seal duvets, or hang them up on doors, and remove all fabrics such as beddings from wardrobes and away from walls.
Ensure that you leave all the beds up when you go.
Leave all taps open, with main water lines closed, to ensure any water still in the pipes can escape and empty out.
Finally, make sure to put antifreeze in the toilets and into the pipes.
These tips are even more essential for any caravan owners who do not have double glazed windows, as this will help to avoid major issues with mould. If any black mould spots do appear on walls once you are back inside your caravan after a long period of time. Lindsay recommends wiping them down with Milton’s sterilising solution that should take it right off.
Ownership offers
Dehumidifiers
To keep your caravan warmer and to prevent moisture from damaging it inside, you should also invest in a dehumidifier. This gadget can also help dry your clothes at chillier times of year. To operate it even when you're not in the caravan, simply place the dehumidifier on the kitchen drainer and connect a hose to drain the water into the sink. When you're back at your second base, place the dehumidifier in a corner of the static caravan room to prevent damp and create an even more pleasant living environment.
Do your homework before investing in a dehumidifier. Not all of them are suitable for your static caravan. Look for something compact, noiseless, safe to operate without supervision, have a continuous drainage capability, work without electric and in temperatures under 16°C. Dehumidifiers are the masters of controlling condensation!
If you have questions about static caravan sales or you are looking for one for sale please don't hesitate to contact us. Call us, chat to us online or book a park visit, we'd love to hear from you.
Related Posts
Drain down & winter preparations for your caravan
Can you live in a static caravan all-year-round?
Common pitfalls to avoid when buying a static caravan
Important information
Terms and conditions
Let2offset - make no site fee payments until 2032
Let2offset is a contractual lettings product that offers eligible owners a guaranteed letting income at a preferential rate (calculated each year) in exchange for a stipulated number of letting breaks. It also allows eligible owners to pay their site fees and receive their letting income in 12 equal monthly instalments; the monthly site fee amount charged by Haven will be after deduction of the letting income.
‘Make no site fee payments until 2032 when using Let2offset’ is available at 33 Haven parks excluding Burnham, Cardigan View, Far Grange, Garreg Wen, Lydstep Beach, Riviere Sands and Seaview. The letting income received will vary by make, model and location. The monthly site fee payment does not include running costs e.g. utilities, rates & insurance.
“Make no site fee payments until 2032 when using Let2offset” is applicable to new and existing customer purchases of new Victory Ashberry 3 Bed or equivalent grade holiday home purchases made through Haven where customers have also signed up to Haven’s Let2offset contract. It is not applicable to private sales and cannot be used in conjunction with our free Site Fee promotion. An example of how “Make no site fee payments until 2032 when using Let2offset” operates under Let2offset is the purchase of a Victory Ashberry 3 Bed holiday home at Seton Sands with a monthly site fee of £667.08 (includes purchasing discount of £17.08) and monthly letting income of £673.17. The monthly difference equates to £23.17, which will be credited to the owner's account. Both letting income and site fees are subject to yearly pricing reviews and inflation. The monthly site fee costs and letting income shown in the example are based on 2025 figures. Modelled assumptions on expected annual site fee and letting income charges over the 7-year lettable life of the Victory Ashberry 3 Bed indicate that under Let2offset it is anticipated that these customers will continue to receive a monthly credit during this period, however, this is not guaranteed. The modelled assumptions are based on the historical performance of Haven over the past 5 years of trading as of 2024. Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL.
Terms and conditions
Brand new holiday homes from £268 per month - UPDATED 2 December 2025
Offer is applicable to new customer purchases made through Haven.
Representative finance example. Holiday home cash price £29,995, less deposit of £8,998.50, gives a loan amount of £20,996.50. 120 monthly payments of £268.34. Total charge for credit £11,191.13. Total amount payable £41,186.13 which includes the deposit amount. The interest rate is 5.33% fixed / 9.6% APR (representative).
Offer available at the following parks: Blue Dolphin, Church Farm, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Doniford Bay, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Hafan Y Mor, Haggerston Castle, Lakeland, Littlesea, Marton Mere, Quay West, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Rockley Park, Skegness, The Orchards, Thornwick Bay, Wild Duck and Weymouth Bay. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Price excludes 2025 site fee, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status & availability. Bourne Leisure Limited, Company registration no 040 660, whose registered office address is 1 Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire HP2 4YL. Bourne Leisure is a credit broker and not a lender.
New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 2 December 2025
*Holiday home price is based on a new 2 or 3-bedroom Willerby Ellerton holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2025 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 2 December 2025, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Church Farm, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Doniford Bay, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Hafan Y Mor, Haggerston Castle, Littlesea, Quay West, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Skegness, The Orchards, Thornwick Bay, Wild Duck and Weymouth Bay. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £14,995 – UPDATED 29 September 2025
*Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting,connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2025 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 29 September 2025, price is available at Blue Dolphin, Church Farm, Cleethorpes Beach, Combe Haven, Craig Tara, Doniford Bay, Far Grange, Golden Sands, Hafan Y Mor, Haggerston Castle, Lakeland, Littlesea, Marton Mere, Quay West, Presthaven, Primrose Valley, Reighton Sands, Rockley Park, Skegness, The Orchards, Thornwick Bay, Wild Duck and Weymouth Bay. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL.
Pre-owned holiday homes from £19,995 – UPDATED 29 September 2025
*Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2025 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 29 September 2025, price is available at Kent Coast, Burnham-On-Sea, Berwick, Caister-on-Sea, Cala Gran, Cardigan View, Devon Cliffs, Greenacres, Hopton, Perran Sands and Seton Sands. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL.
New holiday homes from £34,995 – UPDATED 29 September 2025
*Holiday home price is based on a pre-owned holiday home and includes siting, connections and standard accessories.
Price excludes 2025 site fees, running costs and add-ons requested at point of sale. Subject to status and availability.
As at 29 September 2025, price is available at Kent Coast, Burnham-On-Sea, Berwick, Caister-on-Sea, Cala Gran, Cardigan View, Devon Cliffs, Greenacres, Hopton, Perran Sands and Seton Sands. Price can be withdrawn at any time.
Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL.
Move your caravan to Haven for free - full terms and conditions
This offer is available for holiday home owners not located at a Haven park and that want to relocate their holiday home from their current holiday park a Haven holiday park, subject to pitch availability and the satisfactory completion of our standard onboarding checks. It cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, discount or promotion, apart from the free 2026 site fee promotion if applicable to the Haven park. Haven reserves the right to withdraw this offer at any time without notice.
In order to be eligible to participate in the offer, your holiday home must be situated within a 50-mile radius of the Haven park that you wish to relocate to. The holiday home must be no more than 15 years old from the date of manufacture and if it has been purchased under a finance agreement, the holiday homeowner must provide confirmation from their lender that the holiday home can be moved to the Haven park.
Haven will transport your holiday home from the entrance of its current holiday park location to the required Haven park and will reimburse your transportation costs up-to a maximum value of £750; any excess must be paid by the holiday homeowner. Haven does not accept any responsibility for any damage that happens to the interior of your holiday home whilst it is being transported to one of our holiday parks. We recommend your holiday home is fully packed down and ready for transportation. Transportation does not include decking. Any decking bought onto a Haven park must be approved by the General Manager of that park to ensure it meets Haven standards. Siting and connection costs for your holiday home on a Haven park will be paid for by Haven. Offer excludes payment of holiday home disconnection at your current park and transportation costs from its current pitch to the entrance of its current park.
Subject to availability and status. Deposit required. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer, discount, or promotion. Access to your holiday home is subject to park opening times. Images are shown for representational purposes. Park cannot be used as a permanent residence.
Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL.