Mould creeps in as the cold weather becomes more prevalent but usually we stick on the heating to combat the damp. This year with the cost of living crisis many of us are avoiding putting on heating for longer so mould could be more of a problem.
Not only is mould an eyesore, it can impact our health to different degrees of severity depending on the type. Dave Johnson, Head of Technical at The Underfloor Heating Store explained: ““Mould can be categorised into three different types based on their effects on our health. Allergenic moulds, as the name suggests, incite allergic reactions and even asthma attacks.
“Pathogenic moulds have the most profound effect on those with immune system disorders and pre-existing conditions. The most severe type of mould, toxigenic mould, poses the greatest risk to residents as it can cause serious health issues such as respiratory infections, allergies and asthma.”
To prevent mould growing in your home, ventilation and constant heating is the best method of attack. However, keeping windows open and using excessive energy are two things we want to avoid this year.
Dave advised: “When comfortable to do so, we recommend opening windows and other outlets for short periods of time in order to assist the ventilation process. Kitchens and bathrooms, typically, are at the greatest risk of mould infestation due to the high amount of steam and moisture produced in both.
“When using either of these rooms, it is wise to also confine the produced moisture to this site (leaving doors open will allow the moisture to travel into different rooms, which will cause more issues in sites that are typically safe and dry),” he added. “We also recommend introducing dehumidifiers into sites that often fall victim to excess moisture”.
When possible, keep your house at a warm temperature as this will help keep mould at bay. “We recommend always keeping your home temperature above 14℃ in order to avoid your rooms cooling completely,” said Dave.
Checking damp spots regularly will make sure that should mould begin to grow so you can treat it quickly. Keep your nose to the ground for any musty odours from walls or floors as this is an early sign of an infestation.
Allergy flare ups and coughs are also signs that mould could be lurking as the allergenic substance will impact sufferers almost instantly. Spray suspect areas with distilled white vinegar and soak with hot water and baking soda to kill off any growing mould.
If it has infested your soft furnishings, wash them immediately and let them dry in a well ventilated area. Make sure you increase the ventilation in your home from that point onwards.
