There are various tricks claiming to banish mould from homes but one solution being offered up at the moment uses a surprising bathroom staple that you may never have considered using as a household cleaning product. Plus, you may already have the product, which some stores are selling it for £1, sitting on your bathroom shelf.
Mould is a blight that households can do without. However, with winter officially upon us, and many reducing the ventilation in homes to keep the warmth in, residents could unwittingly be creating a breeding ground for the unsightly and unhealthy additio.
While a build up of mould can have tragic consequences, as high-profile news stories have highlighted recently, don't panic too much if you see early signs of the fungus. There are various methods of cleaning it away from dedicated chemical products and specialist mould-cleaning sprays to the classic method of white vinegar and baking soda.
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One of the more unusual hacks comes from fans of cleaning guru Mrs Hinch - real name Sophie Hinchliffe. In a post on the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips group on Facebook, one person asked for tips on how to effectively clean mould from a bedroom wall, and someone offered a unique solution - Listerine mouthwash.
The commenter claimed that using mouthwash can completely stop mould from re-growing, and is perfect for keeping your surfaces mould-free for longer. They said: "Original Listerine mouthwash stops it re-growing. Leave the window open a little for airflow a few times a week."
The unusual method was questioned by The Mirror when it asked cleaning expert Emily Barron from Rezigo if the trick would actually work. She replied: "Yes - Listerine can kill mould and keep it at bay as it kills 99.9 per cent of germs and bacteria in your mouth. The same can be said for killing bacteria in your home.
"To kill the fungal spores of mould, use plain, clear, and inexpensive ethanol-based mouthwash. Dilute the mixture by using one part mouthwash to three parts water. Spray this on the affected areas once every few days and keep the room well-ventilated or use a dehumidifier to ensure airflow and reduce the risk for further build-up."
Prices vary from store to store but bottles of Listerine were spotted in B&M, Sainsbury's and Poundland for £1 . The product is stocked widely but prices do vary considerable.
Prevention tips were also offered by experts in the building trade. David Philips at Property Rescue said you can help prevent the build-up of mould by taking steps to reduce the amount of water you have evaporating inside your house. Solutions such as drying your clothes outside as much as possible, putting lids on pans when cooking to reduce steam and using dehumidifiers to capture any excess moisture were all suggested to help limit the chances of damp conditions forming inside your home and therefore help keep mould at bay.
If you do find mould in your home, David said: "To remove mould, you can dilute one part bleach in four parts water and gently wipe affected surfaces. Anti-mould paint can then be applied to cover stains and delay recurrence. But this will not provide a long-term solution. Ventilation in your property will need to be addressed to prevent the mould from returning."
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