Mould can grow on any surface where there is moisture and a source of nutrients including walls and woodwork. In many homes, the most common source of the damp patches where mould can grow is condensation formed when humid air meets a cold surface and releases droplets of water.
The presence of mould is not just unsightly, it can also pose a serious threat to health, and if not dealt with, will often lead to the need for expensive repairs.
There are thousands of different species of mould that can be found in your home. Moulds spread through microscopic spores that are carried on the air until they land in a suitable location. Domestic moulds can grow on any damp surface but thrive in moist conditions where there is little disturbance in the air that could stop them taking hold.
Excess condensation in your home provides the ideal environment for mould to grow. If moisture from the air is allowed to settle and soak into plasterwork it can cause persistent damp patches in plaster. The mould will use the plaster as a source of nutrients and slowly break down the material over time as it spreads.
Mould grows very quickly below the surface of the wall, and by the time the dark coloured patches that form the fruiting bodies that disperse new spores appear on your paintwork, the underlying structure is already well established.
The first visible sign of mould infestation in a property is often on the walls and ceilings of the bathroom where humidity levels are high, however hidden mould in cupboards can be an even more serious problem.
The lack of airflow in cupboards means that moisture can build up over time without air circulating it into the rest of your home. Kitchen cupboards that are used less frequently can capture humid air from cooking and cleaning, and this will have plenty of time to soak into the woodwork where damp and mould patches can start to form.
A major risk of mould growing in your kitchen cupboards is that the spores can be transferred onto food or tableware. If mould is ingested, it can cause unpleasant allergic reactions and contribute to poor health in people with weaker immune systems such as children and the elderly.
Over filled wardrobes can also be a breeding ground for mould, especially if you put clothes away before they are fully dry.
When a wardrobe is too full, there is almost no air circulation, which means that mould spores can quickly take hold. Mould will grow on wooden surfaces but can also start to grow on clothing. If you wear clothing that has large amounts of mould present, it can irritate your skin and be inhaled to cause allergic reactions.
If you have discovered mould growing in your cupboards or wardrobes, then it is important to clean the spaces and contents as quickly as possible.
When cleaning mould it is important to protect your eyes and mouth to prevent inhaling mould spores. You should also wear old clothing and dispose of any cloths used after cleaning to prevent mould spreading to other areas in your home.
Remove all items from the cupboard and spray a dilute mixture of bleach and water or a mould remover onto all the surfaces. Leave the cleaning agent for a few minutes to kill off the mould that is present and then wipe down the surfaces before rinsing and drying completely.
Once the cupboard is clean, wash everything that was stored there carefully. Clothing should be washed on the hottest settings possible without damaging the fabric, but any items which are stained by the mould should be discarded.
If you have a dishwasher, use it to clean any tableware stored in a cupboard as the higher temperatures will help to remove any mould and prevent re-growth.
When re-filling the cupboard or wardrobe, try and limit how much is being stored to better allow air to circulate.
When mould grows in damp patches caused by condensation, the only way to prevent it from growing back is to reduce the humidity in your home with better ventilation. Ensure that the extractor fans in your bathroom and kitchen are working properly and that they are sufficiently powerful. Your extractor fans are the main way to remove moist air at source, but are not always sufficient, particularly on larger homes.
Whole house ventilation systems such as EnviroVent ATMOS draw fresh air in from outside and disperse it gently throughout your home. These positive input ventilation systems are extremely effective at improving air circulation which reduces the ability of mould to take hold.
If you are concerned about mould growth in your home, it is important to act. Our local ventilation specialists can visit your property to conduct a free home survey that will identify the causes of condensation and give you advice about the best solution for your needs.
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