Daily tips to prevent mould in your home

Ventilate

Good ventilation helps remove moisture.

Open windows

Without good air flow in your home, excess moisture may appear on your walls, windows and floors. Open windows for short periods of time to ventilate.

Trickle vents

If your windows have trickle vents make sure you leave them open during the day. This allows moisture to escape.

Air vents

Make sure air vents are not blocked and kept clean, as they allow for natural airflow and moisture to escape.

Bathroom extractor fans

Use when bathing or showering. Extractor fans are very cost effective to run. Baths and showers make a lot of humidity. Close the door and switch on the extractor fan or open a window until the moisture is cleared.

Kitchen extractor fans

Use when cooking in the kitchen. Keep extractor fan/heat ventilation isolator switches turned on as extra moisture will contribute to mould growth.

De-clutter

Try to get rid of unnecessary items to clear space along the walls. If it is not possible to clear, then store items on a shelf. Good air flow is important to circulate the heat and helps push moisture out. This will help prevent “dead patches” where mould can form.

Reduce moisture

To speed up ventilation, wipe down your windows and surfaces with a clean cloth to remove excess moisture.

See it? Clean it!

Mould is much easier to control if you can spot it early. If you spot some mould or mildew, clean it straight away. You can use vinegar or a soap solution. Do not use bleach products.

Contain Moisture

Reduce moisture by keeping it contained:

Shut doors

When using the bathroom or kitchen, prevent moisture spreading to rest of the rooms in the house.

Use lids

Use lids on pots when cooking as this helps reduce steam moisture in the air.

Dry clothes outside or use clothes horse

If drying clothes inside, use a clothes horse either in a room with the door closed, a window open and heating on, or in the bathroom with extractor fan on and door closed.

Avoid portable heaters

Avoid using paraffin and portable bottled gas heaters as these heaters produce a lot of moisture.

Heat home adequately

Cold walls make it easier for moisture to collect. To reduce moisture forming:

Heat home adequately

Keep each room heated to above 16 °C, as cold rooms attract moisture and allow mould to grow.

Keep a constant temperature

Avoid extreme changes in temperature (e.g. turning heat up to maximum and then turning heat off completely). Keep thermostat at a constant 16 – 21 °C.