Mould at this time of year is a hot topic but no matter, if you are an owner occupier or a tenant in private housing or social housing the chances are that you have experienced mould at some point within your property.
Damp and mould are usually two things that are discussed in combination and although there are different types and causes of dampness the one that gets the most headlines is mould due to condensation.
Condensation is a normal part of life and is present in every home, no matter the age, style or condition because condensation happens when hot damp air meets a cool surface – for example when your window steams up after having a shower. It is impossible to eradicate condensation in a home but you do need to manage this normal by-product of life otherwise this will cause problems to your home and potentially, if left untreated, to your health.
The good news is that with simple daily tasks you can manage condensation easily and prevent damage to your home.
Here are a few of the things I do to prevent condensation and mould in my home which may help you too.
- Leave A Gap
Leave a gap between the wall and the furniture, especially if it is an external wall. I like to leave a gap of about 6 inches or more. Leaving a gap will allow air to flow so old damp air can escape and fresh dry air can circulate. This prevents condensation from developing on the walls, which can be difficult to reach and clean behind furniture.
- Shut The Door
Close doors when cooking or showering to prevent the moist air from escaping into the rest of the house. If you have an extractor fan then make sure to use this when you are cooking or showering and for a little while after to let the moist air out of the room.
- Open Windows
This sounds really counter-productive, especially in winter but it really helps to let the warm damp air out of the house and bring fresh dry air into the house. I like to open the bedroom windows in the morning by about 6 inches for about 30 minutes (or more) and then leave them on the vent setting for the rest of the day. This really helps dry the house.
- Heat The House
Heating the house at this time of year is a must, having a constant low heat will help keep the fabric of the house dry. I like to leave my heating on 14’c – 16’c and then increase it when I am home.
- Mop Up The Moisture
Wiping down condensation on windows in the morning, wiping down the walls in the bathroom after a shower etc is a must and this makes a big difference for me. It dries the area and keeps it clean which prevents any mould spores from developing. I use a window squeegee to wipe the majority of the water down the drain in the bathroom or out the window in the bedrooms, then an old rag to suck up the last drops. I do this every time condensation appears and after a while it has become a normal part of my routine.
- Extra Helping Hand
I use Dettol Mould and Mildew cleaner in my bathroom and on window frames to kill off any mould spores that may have escaped me but it is a strong cleaning solution so I always wear gloves, keep the windows open when using and read the directions on the bottle.
- Use A De-humidifier
I don’t have a tumble dryer so washing clothes in winter for a family can be hard work. Most days I need to dry them inside on a drying rack, never over the radiator as this could damage the radiator and create more mould. When I am drying clothes, I use a mains-powered dehumidifier in the room and close the door. This sucks up all the moisture in the air and dries the clothes quicker I’ve discovered.
Let me know if you have any more tips to share with people on how you manage condensation in your home and I will add them to the blog.
I am not an expert in mould or damp prevention. These tips are what I find work personally for me and I think could help others too.
Written by Emma
