Mould and mildew can be a big problem in the home, causing serious damage to your belongings and potentially affecting your health. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to prevent mould and mildew from growing in your home.

But what is mould and mildew?

Mould is a kind of fungus that develops from airborne spores. It usually grows in damp, warm conditions without much airflow, which is why household bathrooms often suffer from mould. It is often caused by humid conditions and lack of ventilation, but sometimes mould on walls can be due to plumbing leaks, both inside and outside the property.

Mildew is a kind of fungus that develops from airborne spores. It usually grows in damp, warm conditions without much airflow, which is why household bathrooms often suffer from mould. It is often caused by humid conditions and lack of ventilation, but sometimes mould on walls can be due to plumbing leaks, both inside and outside the property.

In this guide we’ll show you how to rid of mould and mildew so your house can look its best and you can be free of any pesky fungus that is certainly not welcome.

This guide will cover the following:

  • Keeping your home clean
  • Ventilation
  • Using a dehumidifier
  • Getting rid of mould and mildew

Keeping Your Home Clean

Mould and mildew love damp, dark places where there is food or organic matter for them to feed on. By keeping your home clean and free of clutter, you will make it much harder for mould and mildew to get a foothold.

Keeping on top of hoovering and dusting around your house are also good ways to prevent mould and mildew from coming back. If your hoover is on the weaker side, it may be time to get an upgrade as a strong hoover is a lot better at getting rid of dormant mould than a weaker, older model.

If your bathroom is full to the trim of toiletries that aren’t regularly used, tidy them away into cupboards. It can be hard to notice if you’ve got mould if there are bottles and cups left around.

Ventilation

Mould and mildew need moisture to grow, so good ventilation is essential in preventing their growth. If moisture can’t escape, it can build up in the air and transfer to surfaces as condensation.

Here are some tips to help ventilate your home:

Avoid hanging wet washing indoors: The moisture from the wet clothes will condense and attach itself to your wall. If you don’t have any outside space or a tumble dryer handy, make sure you open a window near where your washing hangs.

Keep doors and windows open in damp areas: Open windows help increase the ventilation in your home. Fresh air helps dry out damp and musty areas and can also reduce odours created by these fungus. Mould and mildew thrive off closed away damp and warm spaces so continued air circulation around your home is a good start to tackling the problem.

Use an extractor fan when cooking: Cooking can release a lot of moisture into the air, so if you have an extractor fan, make sure you’re using it every time you cook. Keep a kitchen window open so the air has somewhere to escape.

Using a Dehumidifier

If you live in an area with high humidity, using a dehumidifier can help to reduce the moisture in the air and make it harder for mould and mildew to grow.

But how does a dehumidifier work?

The dehumidifier’s fan pulls in air from your home, this air is then cooled and the moisture condenses into water. This water is separated and the air is lightly reheated and released back into the room, with much less moisture.

What’s the most efficient way to use a dehumidifier?

You should set up the dehumidifier in the dampest area of your house, for example the bathroom. Set the dehumidifier to somewhere between 40% and 60%, which is usually the ideal humidity level.

Getting Rid of Mould and Mildew

If you do find mould or mildew growing in your home, it is important to clean it up immediately. You can use a variety of household cleaners, such as:

Bleach: Mix 1 part of bleach into 10 parts of water and use on a mouldy surface, apply with a sponge or use a spray bottle.

White Vinegar: Mix 1 part of vinegar with 1 part of water and pour into a spray bottle, let the solution sit for 1 hour and wipe with wet cloth.

Hydrogen Peroxide: Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle, wait 10 minutes and scrub with a cloth or sponge.

Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda on the mouldy surface and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then scrub with a brush and rinse with soapy water.

Just be sure to ventilate the area well while you are cleaning to avoid breathing in the fumes.

By following these simple tips, you can help to prevent mould and mildew from taking over your home.

Free Advice

If you’re struggling with mould and mildew build up in your house, try visiting our other blogs and step-by-step guides here.

For any free advice regarding pumps, showers and plumbing, ring our dedicated experts on 0800 112 3134 or 0333 577 3134.
We’re open Monday to Friday 07:00 - 17:30 and Saturday 08:30 - 12:30.