Five useful tips for mould-prone homes

If your clothes and soft furnishings smell a bit musty, or you’re coughing and struggling with allergies, chances are there’s mould in your home.

Mould can enter your home through windows, vents, doorways and air-conditioning systems and you might not even have noticed it because mould spores are tiny – half the width of a human hair.

However, touching or breathing in mould spores can cause sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and skin rashes.

Mould can also cause asthma attacks, affect your immune system and even cause depression and anxiety, according to Trevor Brewer, Director at Solenco.

However, it is possible to banish mould and prevent it from coming back, without breaking the bank or your back.

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Here are some useful tips:

1. After you’ve had a bath or shower, use a squeegee to a remove the excess water from the bathroom walls. This will help cut down the amount of extra moisture in your bathroom by as much as three quarters.

2. If you have mould on soft furnishings or clothing, they should be shampooed and dried outside in a sunny spot or professionally dry-cleaned.

3. For damp in walls, use a professional damp sealant product.

4. Ensure that fresh air can flow freely through your home by opening windows to create cross-draughts.

5. Invest in a quality dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers can assist in decreasing the level of moisture in the atmosphere and preventing the growth of mould.

“Dehumidifiers remove moisture and humidity from the air, which results in less condensation on windows and floors. They also help to prevent the build-up of mould, ‘bubbly’ paint and musty smells,” said Brewer.

“While a standard air conditioner cools and dehumidifies the air by removing excess moisture, it switches off after it has reached the targeted temperature and therefore cannot control humidity effectively.

“Using your dehumidifier in conjunction with an air conditioner is, therefore, most effective at reducing humidity.”

Brewer advised that you check your bathroom and kitchen first if you suspect that your home is damp and mouldy.

“Check around leaking taps and under sinks. Mould loves to grow behind appliances such as the dishwasher or fridge, in cupboards, and in other areas where condensation and humidity are high.”

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