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Drivers across the UK are being urged to put used tea bags inside their cars before Saturday as cold weather is forecast.

While the start of summer may only be a matter of weeks away, the cooler spring temperatures are still clinging on, and this week will bring a marked change in conditions. According to the Met Office, colder air moving south across the UK will bring more brisk weather during the middle of May. A sharp drop in temperatures is expected on Tuesday night, with a risk of patchy fog and widespread frost by Wednesday morning. In some areas, temperatures could drop as low as -5C degrees, posing a risk to sensitive plants and forcing drivers to once again have to deal with condensation in cars in the early morning.

The cooler weather is expected to persist for much of the week, with further overnight frost on Friday morning, followed by scattered showers in England and Wales later in the day, while heavier showers, longer downpours and possible thunderstorms could strike over the weekend.

To prepare for the chillier climes this week, drivers can tackle condensation with a simple remedy that makes the morning commute that much easier - and all you need are some used tea bags.

Condensation forms when warm, moist air inside the car meets the cold surface of the glass, causing water vapour to condense and form droplets, and this tends to be more pronounced in winter or in bouts of cold weather.

The colder the outside temperature, the more dramatic the temperature drop when warm air hits the glass, leading to condensation and fogging that can take a frustrating amount of time to clear.

But used tea bags - particularly used black and green tea bags - are very effective at reducing condensation and dampness inside cars because the tea leaves contain naturally absorbent compounds.

As such, they can be used to draw excess moisture from the air and essentially act as a natural dehumidifier, which can prove particularly useful on cold, wintry mornings.

Warning of frost and freezing temperatures this week, the Met Office said: "As skies clear overnight, winds will ease, and temperatures will fall quickly. This combination raises the risk of patchy fog and a widespread frost by Wednesday morning, particularly in rural areas. In more prone northern spots, temperatures may dip to -4 or -5°C, posing a risk to sensitive plants.

"Wednesday will start bright for many, with sunshine during the morning. Through the day, cloud will tend to build, leading to a cloudier afternoon overall. Eastern areas are likely to stay largely dry, but elsewhere, particularly across western Scotland, Northern Ireland, west Wales and southwest England, scattered showers are expected to develop.

"Despite lighter winds, Wednesday is likely to be the coldest day of the week, with daytime temperatures several degrees below the early May average across many areas."

With cold temperatures forecast this week, drivers are likely to find they're waking up to damp, foggy and frosty windscreens. To tackle this, experts recommend placing some used tea bags or small bowls of loose tea around the inside of your car, such as on the dashboard or in the door pockets.

Doing so can reduce the risk of condensation forming on windscreens, helping drivers avoid a fine of up to £2,500.

The Highway Code says drivers should always completely demist their windows before setting off, and condensation can obstruct this. If you try to drive with an obscured view, you could be fined up to £2,500 and get penalty points on your licence, especially if it leads to an accident.

Ben Pitcher, motoring specialist at DPF Experts, says tea bags are a great solution to this problem as they're naturally absorbent, cheap and likely already knocking around in your kitchen cupboard.

He explains: "Tea bags, especially black or green tea, are natural moisture absorbers. Placing them in your car can help reduce condensation, especially in colder months. Though they aren't as powerful as professional dehumidifiers, they're a cheap, eco-friendly solution for tackling minor dampness."

Green and black tea are able to absorb moisture that can form when the temperature inside a car is different to that outside and, as an added bonus, it can also improve the smell of your vehicle. Tea bags can absorb and neutralise unpleasant odours, leaving your car smelling much fresher with very little effort.

Pitcher also says packets of silica gel, which is commonly found in packaging for things like shoes, electronics and food items, can also have a similar effect and will help to clear car windscreens in the morning when condensation is most common.

He adds: "Silica gel packets, commonly found in packaging, are excellent at absorbing moisture. Collecting a few and placing them around your car can help control condensation. While they won't clear foggy windows instantly, they can help reduce moisture and keep your windscreen clearer for longer."