There’s mould in your shoes & you might even know –  tackle it for free with item you’d usually bin

NASTY mould can grow inside your shoes without you even knowing about it.

But there’s a free way to banish it for good using a free material that most people usually bin.

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Mould can grow on almost any surface, provided it gets excessive moisture.

It thrives in dark, warm, and damp places – especially inside shoes.

Insoles are the perfect place for mould to make its home as shoes are susceptible to moisture from sweat and are never dried properly.

Most people do not even realise about mould infestations inside their footwear, until they start to smell bad or in worst cases, cause fungal infections.

However, it is very easy to remove mould from footwear using simple home remedies.

When storing a pair of footwear for a long time in a dark place, make sure to put a bag of silica gel inside, pros at shoe firm Vessi say.

This is dehumidify the inside of the shoe and will resist the growth of fungi.

Silica bags often come for free in packages and are usually quickly binned along with packaging.

Tips to help keep mould at bay

Once you’ve got rid of mould, it’s important to take steps to reduce the risk of it returning.

“Ventilation is a key factor in preventing the growth of mould,” said Wayne.

“I would recommend installing a fan and humidistat.”

One of these is a switch which controls the fan depending on the amount of moisture in the air.

Another simple tip is to ensure you allow fresh air to flow into your home as often as possible.

Admittedly, this is harder in the winter, but you should still try to open windows for short periods.

Don’t forget to open the windows when drying clothes inside, and at all costs avoid drying wet clothes on the radiator.

Further, as cooking can create a lot of condensation, remember to use pan lids to try and reduce moisture getting into the air.

Keeping the inside of your home above 15°C will help to stop condensation from forming.

But if you find your house or flat is still filled with excess moisture, you could consider a dehumidifier.

Bear in mind though, that as well as the initial price tag, these devices also cost money to run as they use electricity.

Another clever – and cheaper – solution involves using a plant called a peace lily which absorbs extra moisture in the air through its leaves, helping to banish mould.

Homebase is selling these plants for £5.50.

Snake plants can also work well.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk