WALL DONE
The five mould hotspots in your home and how to get rid of them with one common kitchen item
Plus tips on how to get rid of mould on a budget
NOW that we're well into winter, many of us will be feeling the cold and putting our heating on more often.
Especially when we still need to dry damp clothes and hanging them out on the washing line isn't an option when temperatures plummet.
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However, this could leave our homes feeling humid which in turn could cause mould and mildew to form.
Not only can it become difficult to get rid of, but mould can be dangerous to our health if it's left untreated.
A number of things can cause it to grow, such as a lack of ventilation, water seeping into walls, leaky pipes, or even damp grout.
Luckily, one expert has pitched in to help us fight mould when it just feels impossible to get rid of.
Jimmy Englezos, a DIY expert from , has shared their top tips on not only how to get rid of mould, but also how to prevent it from forming in the first place.
But first, the interior expert revealed the five places in the home that are hotspots for mould.
A recent survey found that the bathroom was the most common place where mould was found, with 33 per cent of people saying that's where they noticed mould the most.
Following close behind were windowsills and window frames where 28 per cent of people noticed it around these areas - like bathrooms, this could be because of lower temperatures and hotter showers.
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The other three areas were walls and ceilings (25 per cent), near the sink and behind appliances in the kitchen (six per cent), and bedrooms (four per cent).
Jimmy said: “Within the household, condensation mainly occurs in rooms with excessive moisture and poor ventilation such as the bathroom and kitchen.
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"Some signs that paint could be damaged are areas of dampness, stale smell, specs of mould and discolouration.
“Mould is something that many homes suffer with due to its persistent nature and it can be difficult to get rid of.
"It tends to grow in more humid environments which is why it can worsen in the winter months.
"It takes just 24-48 hours for mould spores to develop and if the humidity rises above 60 to 65 per cent you can see signs within 24 hours.”
It takes just 24-48 hours for mould spores to develop and if the humidity rises above 60 to 65 per cent you can see signs within 24 hours
Jimmy Englezos
Jimmy also shared his five tips for getting rid of mould and condensation, and he said the key thing to do is make sure your home has good ventilation.
He explained: "As we know opening windows in the winter months isn’t as enjoyable due to the colder weather, however, creating ventilation will help moisture escape.
"Opt for opening windows for an hour a day will help reduce the humidity and always make sure the extraction fan is turned on when cooking to prevent condensation."
To add to this, he said that dehumidifiers are also important in your home if you're trying to get rid of mould.
Jimmy revealed: "If the number of windows is limited in the home, a dehumidifier is the next best option as it removes moisture from the air and releases dry air back into the room.
"This process reduces humidity levels and prevents condensation from forming. Make sure to regularly clean it to ensure nothing is blocked so air can flow through it."
It might sound simple, but the experts say that one of the most effective ways to get rid of mould is by wiping down all the surfaces of the home, because this can help prevent it from forming in the first place.
He said: "The most effective way to stop mould from growing is to control the moisture levels in the home, so wiping away moisture on the windows and walls will help keep those areas dry."
How to get rid of mould on a budget
JIMMY has also shared his top tips on how to get rid of mould inside the home on a budget.
He said: "As a general rule, when removing mould, open the windows of the room to ventilate the area and keep the door to the rest of the home closed to prevent mould spores from spreading."
1. Mould spray
"Specialised mould treatments can be picked up from various retailers and used to directly spray the surface to treat mould growth.
"Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe down the surface and remove the mould. Once the mould has been removed, wipe off the residual with a clean dry cloth to remove the rest of the moisture.
"Dispose of the cloth and vacuum the room to remove all spores."
2. Washing up liquid
"The same technique can be done using washing up liquid and water instead of the spray – however, it may not be as effective for larger areas.
"The method is also cheaper as washing up liquid can be bought for as little as 62p. Be careful when removing mould from wallpaper, as too much water can cause it to bubble."
3. White vinegar
"This staple kitchen ingredient can be very effective in cleaning and removing mould and can be picked up for as little as 35p. To remove mould, mix a solution of one part vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
"Spray on the affected areas and leave for an hour. After this, wipe away the vinegar residue using a damp cloth which should remove the mould. This solution is ideal for kitchens as it lacks chemicals."
4. Bleach
"Like white vinegar, a solution can be created using household bleach which can be picked up from 60p.
"Mix one part bleach and four parts water before using a cloth to wipe the solution across the wall, scrubbing gently to remove the mould.
"Wipe away the bleach residue and dry the area, making sure a separate cloth is used. Be aware bleach can change the colour of walls, resulting in patches and light drip marks."
While it may not be practical to keep the heating on all the time, the experts say maintaining the optimal temperature in the home can keep mould at bay.
Jimmy explained: "As we know heating can be costly, however, one way to avoid mould in the home is to pop the heating on for a short time to keep the rooms from cooling.
"An optimal temperature for living rooms is between 20C and 23C and for the bedroom and kitchen it's 16C. It is recommended to avoid the temperature falling below 14C."
Since mould tends to grow in places that are damp, Jimmy has urged homeowners to check for any leaks in the house.
He said: "Check for leaks as leaking taps and pipes can encourage mould, especially in closed areas such as cabinets.
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"Regularly check the roof, attic, gutters, window seals and plumbing systems to further prevent leaking."
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