With winter setting in and energy costs rising there’s a new threat to health in UK homes - mould. Mould can cause harm to not only your property but your health too, so it's crucial to deal with it as soon as you notice it. While it can be tempting to bump the heating up, this can be expensive but luckily there are other ways to keep mould at bay whilst still keeping your bills low.
Bathroom and kitchen expert Nancy Emery, from Drench , has shared five money-saving, mould-banishing tips to keep you dry and healthy this winter. The first tip is simple and can remove up to 75% of moisture from your home. It takes less than five minutes too.
Nancy said: “Up to 75% of moisture, which will lead to mould, can be eliminated by wiping down wet surfaces immediately. Any surface that collects water, for instance around the kitchen sink after washing up, or on the bathroom tiles and floors after getting out of the shower, should be wiped down after use. “Accumulated water on tiles, no matter the room, can get into the grout and silicone, which is where a build-up of mould is likely to develop.
” Her other top tip is to use your extractor fans. Some people might be put off by the racket of a fan but they work to keep mould from growing by removing the damp air from places like the kitchens and the bathroom. These fans should always be used when cooking or showering and should be left on for at least half an hour after the fact to make sure they are effective.
Another way to boost the effectiveness of extractor fans is to ensure they are regularly cleaned as they can become caked in dust and this makes it harder for them to work. If you’re struggling to dry your clothes in the cooler weather it can be tempting to pop them on the radiator to dry, but Nancy says this is a very bad idea. She said: “Although it may seem like an easy way to cut costs, drying clothes on the radiator instead of the tumble dryer or drying rack can lead to higher amounts of condensation accumulating from the lack of airflow.
“This can lead to moisture lingering in your rooms and mould growing. A budget-friendly alternative is to use a heated clothes airer or your towel rack for speedy indoor drying that won’t leave clothes smelling of mildew.” Instead, consider investing in a dehumidifier and keeping it running in rooms with high usage or the room in which you’re hanging your clothes to dry.
She said: “In rooms with heavy use, like your bathroom, living room, kitchen and bedroom, it may be a good idea to use dehumidifiers. There are a range of types available, from more expensive heavy-duty appliances to everyday affordable options that can be found in supermarkets and home retailers.”.
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Banish condensation and mould with 5-minute job that removes '75% of moisture'
As winter sets in, so does the mould - but this easy chore will keep it at bay