West Berkshire & North Hampshire

The first thing to do is not to panic as was my first reaction when I first saw mould growing in the house. It even ruined several pairs of my girlfriend’s shoes which was almost the end of the world.

Fear not though – there are many way to help prevent and reduce the build up of moisture, which is what causes mould.

Every home in the world produces condensation in some form or another, whether it is from cooking, washing clothes or taking a shower. Even a fish tank releases moisture into the air.

If your home never seems to be free of damp or mould, then here’s what you can do:

Ventilate Your Home

Now this may seem like a simple answer but the fact is that the simple answer is often the right answer.
Wardrobes can be a prime place for mould to grow, so don’t overfill the wardrobe (despite lack of space anywhere else) as this will lead to the air not circulating properly and thus mould will begin to build up. If it’s possible then cut a small hole in the back of the wardrobe and move it away from the wall by an inch so that the air has somewhere to go. Simple, but effective.

Keep Your House Warm

A must in the winter but also throughout the year. Making sure your house is properly insulated is key to reducing the build-up of condensation.

Prevention is better than cure, however if you do discover mould in your house, then here’s what you should do:

Treat and remove the mould.

Once again, simple but effective. A standard cleaning product won’t get rid of or kill mould so you have to buy specialist products which are all available from many high-street retail outlets.

When removing the mould with your specialist mould killing product, be sure to read the instructions on how to use it carefully (many people disregard them at their own risk). Many of these products require you to wear a mask and protective gloves. This is a must (as I myself found out) because of the fumes given off by the product.

If you have mould in your wardrobes that will mean that the spores are in your clothes. A good hot wash will soon destroy the spores.

Some mould cleaning products do tend to damage painted walls. In this case, treat the affected area with your product and then repaint with a good quality brand of paint.

In some cases, the damp may keep on returning time and time again. This is where you will probably have to invest in a dehumidifier. They range in size from small ones suitable for the wardrobe at £3 to larger ones for rooms at around £100. A steep price but well worth it if you don’t want to come home to a damp smelling house. These are available from good DIY stores and online.

So there you have it. Your mould problems solved.