By Ruth MacEachern
Product Manager
During autumn and winter, cooler temperatures outside mean that condensation is more common on your windows in the morning. Condensation forms because the air in our homes can hold a specific amount of water vapour depending on the temperature. When warm, humid air comes into contact with cold surfaces such as exterior walls and windowpanes, some of that water vapour is released by the air and forms droplets of water. Condensation can form on any cold surface in your home. On non-porous materials like glass or tiles, the water droplets can be wiped away, however on other surfaces like walls, the moisture can soak through to create damp patches where mould will grow.
If mould is allowed to grow in your home, it can have serious health effects – particularly for those with a weaker immune system such as the elderly and young children. Cleaning mould from walls and ceilings is straightforward, but it is important to find the underlying cause of the problem to prevent it from recurring in the future.
In the supermarket you can find a variety of fungicidal cleaners that are designed to remove mould quickly. In most cases these are bleach based, and as such, can be bad for the environment, but there are alternatives that you can use which are effective with most domestic moulds.
When cleaning mould you should always wear a mask over your mouth and cover your eyes to protect them from irritation. Dispose of any cloths that you have used to clean mould in the dustbin when you have finished to avoid spreading mould spores around your home.
Vinegar contains acetic acid which will kill mould spores and allow it to be wiped from walls. Spray undiluted white vinegar directly onto the mouldy surface and let it sit for an hour. Scrub with a brush and wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Tea tree oil is naturally antibacterial and is one of the easiest ways to clean mould. Simply mix 10ml of tea tree oil with 500ml of water in a spray bottle and then spray it onto the area where mould is growing. To get the antifungal effects of tea tree oil, you should avoid rinsing the wall after application, and then brush away the dead mould with a soft brush when it has dried.
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is an alkali that will kill mould on walls and ceilings. Mix with water to create a thick paste and then apply to the area where mould is growing. You will need to leave the Paste in place for an hour to take effect, and once the mould is dead you will need to scrub the affected area before rinsing.
An advantage of using citrus seed extract to clean away mould is that it is odourless. You will need to mix about 20 drops of citrus seed extract (from grapefruit or lemon) with 500ml of water in a spray bottle before spraying onto the mould. As with tea tree oil, you do not need to rinse away the oil after use and can simply wipe the area later to remove the residue.
Cleaning mould from walls and ceilings is just a temporary measure, and unless you remove the underlying cause the mould will return after a few weeks.
Condensation caused by high humidity in your home is the most common source of moisture that allows mould to grow, and as such, reducing the amount of water vapour in the air is the most effective way of preventing the mould from returning.
Small changes to your behaviour such as not drying clothes indoors and using pan lids when cooking can help to reduce the amount of moisture in the air of your home, but the best way to reduce humidity is through better ventilation.
Extractor fans in your bathroom and kitchen remove moist air from cooking and bathing which will make a big difference to mould in those rooms, but if you find mould growing away from an obvious source of moisture, then whole house ventilation may be more appropriate.
Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) systems such as EnviroVent ATMOS feature a central unit which is mounted in your loft. Fresh filtered air is drawn into your house at roof level and then dispersed into multiple rooms to displace the humid air. PIV systems are highly efficient and have the benefit of evening out temperature differences which can help reduce your heating bills.
If you are worried about mould in your home, we can help. Book a free home survey from one of our local specialists who can visit your property to identify the causes of condensation that lead to mould and provide you with advice about the best way of stopping it. Enter your postcode below to book a free home survey from a condensation expert in your area.
One of our local experts will contact you to learn more about your problems, offer free expert advice and make recommendations for a permanent solution.
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