{"id":23365,"date":"2024-09-16T16:56:47","date_gmt":"2024-09-16T15:56:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/?p=23365"},"modified":"2024-10-01T10:21:23","modified_gmt":"2024-10-01T09:21:23","slug":"remove-mould-and-damp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodhomesmagazine.com\/green-homes\/remove-mould-and-damp\/","title":{"rendered":"How to remove mould and damp: 11 things you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wondering how to remove mould in your home?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we head deeper into autumn and the temperature drops, damp and mould can become a serious problem in the home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While we enjoy the benefits of snuggling inside, the cold weather can bring with it some unwelcome signs of mould and damp – which are more likely to make an appearance in the winter months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statistics reveal<\/a> around 8% of homes in England have some form of damp problem, while over half (58%) of privately rented households have damp, mould or are excessively cold.<\/p>

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The NHS estimates it could save \u00a338 million per year on treating patients with damp and mould-related illnesses if damp problems were rectified. And if left unchecked, mould and damp can eventually cause some pretty serious problems in the home, both structurally and aesthetically. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDamp is often the precursor for mould in the house and is often the result of excess air condensation in the winter,\u201d explains Ryan Calvert, product manager at Hiatt Hardware<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWinter is a prime time for mould to infest your home – as we unintentionally obstruct the necessary ventilation by keeping our windows and doors closed more often (in an attempt to stay warm) – this causes an increase in condensation which later facilitates mould growth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the top tips for preventing mould and damp building up in your home. <\/p>

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Stop damp: don’t dry clothes on a radiator<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It might seem a quick fix for those without a tumble dryer, especially while the dreary weather means we\u2019re unable to hang our clothes out on the line, but using radiators to dry wet clothes causes a number of issues \u2013 including mould and damp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe problem with drying clothes on radiators is that it leads to higher amounts of condensation due to the lack of airflow from having your radiators covered, which leaves moisture lingering in your rooms – and that\u2019s when the issues start to arise,\u201d explains Nancy Emery from Only Radiators<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drying clothes indoors will also release moisture into the air, and the amount of water in wet clothes can be equal to litres, so once that water evaporates, it has to go somewhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll of that water will then ride along an air current until it sticks to the first cold surface it meets, creating the perfect environment for mould to grow,\u201d she adds. <\/p>

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The solution? Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou don’t have to have your windows wide open in the middle of winter to create some ventilation; many windows can be locked in a position where a thin crack can allow some necessary airflow,\u201d explains Emery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWindows are also your first line of defence against condensation and mould. So, if you must dry your jeans on your radiator<\/a>, then make sure the radiator is under an open window.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Declutter and dehumidify<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dust is a food source for mould and encourages growth, so cleaning regularly will help eliminate the fungi in its early stages. <\/p>

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\u201cIt is important to regularly clean extractor fans as they allow for important ventilation throughout the winter season – it\u2019s common for debris and dust to build up over time, so removing this ensures they keep working as they should,\u201d explains Calvert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDust can also gather when we have large collections of items cramped inside cupboards and cabinets. Lots of items in storage could also help mould growth by increasing humidity and making airflow difficult so it is important to have a clear out.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you can’t reduce your storage and want to remove excess moisture from the air, then a moisture trap or dehumidifier can also be a good option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese do not always have to be fancy contraptions; small moisture traps on your windowsill and outer shelves can draw excess moisture away and prevent mould build-up,\u201d Calvert adds. <\/p>

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Clean your carpets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whilst you probably associate mould with black dots scattered all over your walls, sometimes it can be invisible and right under your feet\u2026 literally!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCarpets are extremely porous, meaning if they get wet, they\u2019re likely to hold the water – which will create the perfect environment for mould to grow,\u201d explains Emery, who is also a cleaning expert at Tap Warehouse<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often, you’ll also be able to smell an odour coming from carpets, but other times it\u2019s difficult to know before it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo prevent a build-up, it\u2019s crucial to invest in high quality carpet padding which has antimicrobial properties,\u201d Emery continues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s slightly on the more expensive side, but it will be a worthwhile investment in the long run. It\u2019s also important to regularly vacuum carpets and get them professionally cleaned every now and then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add in some plants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As well as adding decoration and colour to a room, green plants can help improve the environment and could aid in keeping the air dry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEnglish ivy, peace lilies, palms, orchids and snake plants are great for removing mould spores,\u201d Emery explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHowever, it\u2019s best to not rely solely on green plants as a method of preventing mould as they only remove a small amount of the water from the air, so it\u2019s best to use other methods alongside this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Heating and insulation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With the cost of living continuing to bite, heating is something a lot of people avoid turning on in a bid to keep the costs down. However, it\u2019s important for your home to have adequate heating and insulation to prevent a build-up of mould. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTemperatures should be kept between 19-22 degrees in kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms, whereas bedrooms should be between 16-20 degrees,\u201d explains Emery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also need to be sure the room has an appropriately sized radiator to help regulate the room temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can be sure you have the right size radiator for your space by calculating the BTU (British Thermal Unit),\u201d Emery continues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA room\u2019s BTU requirements depend on things like floor space and vertical height, whether or not the room possesses external walls and the amount of wall space covered by windows.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Utilise pan lids when cooking <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An additional step to prevent condensation is to ensure that you are covering pans with lids when cooking or boiling water in the kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSteam rising from hot food or boiling pots adds a large amount of moisture to the air, causing condensation, which can eventually lead to dampness and mould forming in the kitchen, especially during the winter months,\u201d explains David Chapman, owner of Ultimate Mats<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other condensation-reducing tips include putting cold water in first before adding hot when you have a bath, which can reduce steam by up to 90%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider a heated towel rail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Paired with proper ventilation, a heated towel rail is a perfect way to avoid mildew-smelling clothes, asthma risk and black mould. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Plus, they create the added bonus of warm towels whenever you want them, perfect for the colder months,” Emery adds.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to prevent condensation on windows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although it can be tempting to sleep with your bedroom windows closed in the chilly winter months, according to Chapman keeping your bedroom windows slightly ajar is an ideal way to reduce the humidity, and prevent condensation (as well as mould) from developing in your bedroom while you sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Position furniture away from external walls <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Condensation will commonly occur if your furniture is touching a cold external wall, and can lead to damp and mould developing on the walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is vital to ensure there is enough room for air to flow freely between the external wall and furnishings,\u201d explains Chapman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPositioning your furniture away from external walls can greatly reduce the amount of condensation and risk of dampness in these areas of the home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Invest in a dehumidifier<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A dehumidifier is essentially the best method for preventing condensation in the home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese handy gadgets work by removing the water from the air. This means that there is no air moisture to condense on surfaces around the home, impeding the growth of dampness and mould around the home,\u201d explains Chapman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can purchase small dehumidifiers to work in one particular room or make a larger investment into a whole house dehumidifier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Invest in double-pane windows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you have single-pane glass windows in your home, you will find that condensation is a common occurrence, especially in the winter months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you are able to, consider investing in double-pane windows to protect your home moisture damage in the months and years to come,\u201d Chapman adds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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