Fight the Winter Mould for free
Juggling between the energy cost of warming your home and mould accumulation is a full time job in itself.
For most of us during the colder months the winter forces many households to find their warming needs inside the home, relying on high energy appliances to assist us in our day to day.
The use of dryers, heaters, ovens, and even fridges can cause enough humidity within the home to provide the perfect breeding environment for mould spores. And because we tend to close windows and doors to contain the warmth, poor ventilation prevents the damp from drying adding to the moisture build-up.
So why is mould bad?
Mould is a fungus that naturally occurs within the home to recycle organic matter, to survive it needs a warm, damp environment to provide the nutrients it needs to thrive.
Inhaling small amounts of mould can be harmless but if the exposure is consistent over a long period of time then the effects can be disastrous and long-term.
In particular, asthmatics would suffer from spores ..but mould should not be inhaled at all by anyone.
Carpets, Sofa’s and Curtains
Carpet is moulds best friend. Having your carpets, fabric furniture and curtains steam cleaned in the winter can be disastrous and more so if you have pets.
Moisture and bacteria can still become trapped within the fibres and accumulate quickly as the weather drops.
We recommend having them professionally cleaned in the summer or just before it hits winter to allow the fabric to dry and prevent build-up.
Walls and Ceilings
Spores can sometimes be hard to spot unless you smell the muskiness in a closed room but once dark build-up becomes visible it means it’s well past due it’s removal date. Some choose bleach wash but be careful when using bleach in areas with minimal ventilation and be sure to rinse and wear protective gear.
An alternative method would be to use a 70/30% solution of vinegar and water and wipe down with a cloth. Once you’ve finished cleaning throw away the cloth.
Prevention methods
The best practice is to enable enough ventilation to flow through your home. Open all your windows and doors for an hour while the sun is out, the longer the better.
The laundry and bathroom are hubs for spore environment so keep clean linen in a separate dry area and wet towels left outside until your ready to wash them.
Keep the lint draw in your clothes dryer clean
Check the kitchen and cupboards particularly under the sink where spores might find a water source.
