As another winter approaches, many homeowners and renters in the UK are gearing up for a season battling one of the nation’s most rampant domestic foes: mould. With more than a fifth of British homes suffering from some form of damp, mould or condensation, and far fewer than that having a good idea of what causes the problem or how to control it, for those on the front lines it can often feel like an uphill struggle.
If you’ve been struggling with mould issues for a while, you’re probably already aware that the key to preventing it from spreading is by controlling moisture and keeping your home well ventilated. However, with the weather growing colder by the day, no one wants to have their windows wide open – inevitably letting all of the warm air out – so how do you actually go about doing this? Here are some tips to help you successfully keep the mould at bay this winter.
Low Humidity, High Air Flow
Mould naturally thrives on moisture-filled air and surfaces, so controlling your home’s humidity levels is one of the best ways to prevent it from growing. If the air circulating around your home is dry, mould spores are less likely to land in a spot where they have enough moisture to expand.
Because of this, it is advisable to keep the humidity levels in your home below 60%. To do this, you can try:
● Taking cooler showers
● Not leaving wet clothes and linens sitting in laundry baskets
● Moving houseplants to a well-ventilated area
● Investing in a dehumidifier
Keep Mould-Prone Areas Dry & Clean
Routinely cleaning all mould-prone surfaces is an effective way to keep spores from building up. Focus on widows and sills, kitchen nooks, the area around your shower and any areas susceptible to leaks. When you clean these areas, consider using products specially designed to kill mould to doubly mitigate the chances of mould growing.
Act Fast with Leaks
It’s worth frequently checking your gutters, drains, basement area and any exposed pipes in and around your home for leaks. Areas where leaking or flooding has occurred are breeding grounds for nasty mould spores to spread quickly. Spotting and repairing leaks as soon as possible is the best way to prevent this from happening, especially during the wet weather seasons.
Take Care When Storing Items Away
As the cold weather approaches, many of us like to prepare by putting away summer clothes, shoes, outdoor gear and warm weather items in the garage, cupboards, under the bed or other storage area. However, before doing so make sure that all items are completely clean and dry. When possible, store summer garments in plastic storage tubs and/ or on shelving units that are positioned off of the ground. This will guarantee that everything stays dry all winter, regardless of any damp or leaks.
Need More Advice?
If you’d like some more guidance on how to reduce the likelihood of mould forming in your home this winter, or even how to keep your home well heated and ventilated, the experts at UK Energy Management can help. We help eligible households apply for ECO3 funding and heating upgrades – from electric storage heaters to cavity wall insulation – that will make your home much cheaper to heat, resulting in a more comfortable living environment and greatly improved quality of life. Find out if you’re eligible by filling out our quick application form, or get in touch with us for more information.
