It’s important to take steps against mould in your home – not just to keep your home looking good, but to protect the health of you and your family. Mould is a fungus that releases spores into the air. Breathing in too many of these spores can lead to itchy sinuses and respiratory issues, including some serious diseases like aspergillosis. By eliminating mould in your home, you can prevent these health problems from developing.
Just what are some steps that you can take to eliminate mould from your home? Below are just a few examples.
Buy some anti-mould spray (or make your own)
Don’t try to clean mould with soapy water and a sponge. The best cleaning remedy is an anti-fungal spray. You can anti-mould sprays that do their magic after being left for a few minutes. You can also make your own anti-mould spray using a 1-part-bleach-10-part-water solution, or by using undiluted vinegar (a good organic option).
Check for mould growth in hidden places
Mould likes to grow in dark places and therefore may not always be visible, however it could still be releasing spores into your home’s air. After cleaning away visible mould growth, consider places in a room where there could be hidden mould. This could include walls behind furniture, walls inside cupboards or even surfaces above cabinets.
Know the signs of hidden mould
You can usually tell if a place has mould growth as there will be a distinctive musty smell in the air. If you’ve noticed you or a family member coughing or snivelling or getting itchy eyes and these symptoms seem to go away when not at home, this could also be a sign of hidden mould somewhere. An air quality test is the best way to confirm if there is mould present. You should then try to search around your home to find the mould.
Tackle mould at the source
While a lot of mould is easy to get rid of, it will quickly grow back unless you eliminate the source. Mould requires moisture to grow and quite often leaks or excess condensation can be to blame. Unexplained damp patches are often the result of plumbing or rainwater leaks – a leak detection service could be worth hiring to find the leak and patch it up. If condensation is to blame, consider improving ventilation in the room or buy a dehumidifier to reduce moisture in the air.
Understand when mould is or isn’t your responsibility
Mould is likely to be your responsibility if you own your home and it is freehold. However, if you rent a home and it has a mould problem, it could be up to your landlord to find a solution. Similarly, mould problems in leasehold apartments may not be your problem if the source is on the exterior of your building or due to a neighbour.
Know when to hire professional help
Serious cases of mould could be dangerous to tackle yourself. You may want to hire professionals to remove the mould. Moisture damage may also need to be repaired by professionals to prevent mould coming back.