DISCOVERING mould or damp can be a real worry, but a savvy mum has revealed her must-buys to stop it from appearing.
Mould can affect your health and cause havoc in your home, and fixing it can be very costly.
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Problems arise when excess moisture in the air makes contact with a cold surface, such as a window or wall, causing condensation.
This can be more of an issue in the winter due to damp and drizzly weather.
The good news is, there are simple ways to stop problems, according to Francesca Henry, who runs The Money Fox and shares cost-cutting tips on her Instagram page of the same name.
The 33-year-old lives in Gloucestershire with her boyfriend Massimo, 39, and 11-year-old daughter.
She told The Sun: “Some of the items you need to battle mould and damp you may already have, while others you can pick up relatively cheaply.”
It comes as more than a fifth of homes suffer from damp, according to new findings from Utility Energy.
With energy bills skyrocketing, many people are drying laundry indoors without the heating on, which is making things worse.
Below are the items you need to tackle mould for good – and what to avoid doing.
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1. Sponge or squeegee
If you leave a surface wet for 24 hours or more, there’s a risk that mould could start growing.
“Buy yourself a good sponge or squeegee to wipe away condensation build-up,” said Francesca.
“Use it to wipe down any excess water on windows and windowsills.”
You can get a multi-pack of sponges for less than £1 in the major supermarkets.
Alternatively, you could just use an old towel or pieces of kitchen roll.
2. Fairy liquid
A clever tip from Francesca involves wiping Fairy Liquid over your windows.
Simply use a microfibre cloth and a “very small amount” of Fairy Liquid.
“This will prevent [the windows] from getting wet,” she said.
You’ll likely already have Fairy Liquid at home, but if not, it’ll typically set you back £1 for almost 400ml.
3. Spray
If you have got mould, you can treat this easily yourself using a cloth dipped in soapy water, or with a spray.
“You can pick up a spray relatively cheaply,” said Francesca.
“Cillit Bang black mould remover (750ml) costs £3.65 at lots of the major supermarkets.
“But Wilko has a black mould spray costing £1.50 (750ml), and Asda’s Astonish mould and mildew blaster spray costs £1.25 (750ml).”
Better still, you could make your own.
“You can create a solution with white wine and vinegar, and put this into a spray bottle,” said Francesca.
“You can then use this to remove mould. Don’t forget to dry the area afterwards.”
Other homemade mould-cleaning solutions include lemon juice, or bicarbonate of soda and warm soapy water.
4. Pan lids
Always keep lids on saucepans when boiling water to cook pasta, vegetables or other ingredients, said Francesca.
“When water boils, vapour is released which can condense on cooler surfaces,” she said.
“A pan lid is a simple way to stop condensation from forming in your home.”
This simple adjustment will also mean the water boils more quickly.
“So you’ll save energy, and save money, too,” said Francesca.
5. Extractor fan
Switching on your extractor fan when cooking is really important, according to Francesca.
“This will remove steam, as well as cooking odours,” she said.
“The same applies if you have an extractor fan in your bathroom, you need to use it.
“These fans can help ventilate rooms to stop steamy air from building up.”
Also, make sure you close any internal doors when you cook or shower.
6. Egg timer
Buy yourself a cheap little egg timer and take it into the bathroom with you.
“Try taking a shorter shower, or limiting your time in the bath,” said Francesca.
“That way, there will be less time for the moisture to go into the air.”
You can get an egg timer for just over £2 on Amazon.
7. Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier can help combat condensation, and prevent or slow the growth of mould in your house.
These devices do this by removing the extra moisture from the air. But they can be quite pricey to purchase.
Also, be aware that dehumidifiers can be costly to run.
Francesca said: “If it’s too expensive to buy a new model, see if you can get one second-hand from a site such as Facebook Marketplace.”
Last year, The Sun tested six dehumidifiers under £50 to check which was best.
Things to avoid
1. Drying clothes on the radiator
Eye-watering energy bills have prompted many people to boycott their tumble dryers, and to dry laundry on radiators instead.
“But this isn’t a good idea,” said Francesca.
“This adds moisture to the air, creating condensation, leading to potential issues with mould and dampness.
“You’re much better off using alternatives, such as an airer.
“And, as the weather starts to get warmer, look to dry clothes outside as much as possible.”
2. Leaving windows shut
You need to get into the habit of opening your windows, even when it’s chilly outside.
“Opening your bedroom window for just five or ten minutes a day can make a difference,” said Francesca.
“This is especially important during the colder months to let your home air.
“Get into the habit of doing this in the morning as soon as you wake up.”
3. Blocking air vents
When temperatures plummet, you may be tempted to block air vents or bricks in a bid to keep heat in.
But you must never do this, warns Francesca.
“These allow for ventilation and breathing space within your home,” she said.
“They are designed to reduce the potential for condensation.
“If you cover them, you will find excess moisture can result in the build-up of damp and mould.”
4. Ignoring blocked guttering
If your gutters are blocked and overflowing, you need to do something about it.
“This could cause water to run directly onto the bricks,” said Francesca.
“This can be a cause of damp. You need to get those gutters cleared.”
