My flat was covered in black mould but a £1 hack got rid of the spots in minutes – just spray, leave and they disappear
AS we enter a much colder season, homeowners may be noticing that the temperature in their house is starting to drop.
But with energy bills rising in the UK, Brits are most likely trying to hold out on putting the heating on.
However, this can sometimes cause more issues in the home – like damp and mould spots on the wall.
This is because when warm, moist air – for instance the heat from a warm shower – comes into contact with cold surfaces like walls or ceilings, it cools down and releases moisture.
Over time, this condensation can lead to damp patches, which provide an environment for mould growth.
And one woman is suffering from this, and she has found that it’s beginning to get out of control.
She took to online forum Mumsnet to ask for advice in a written post.
The woman, who has decided to remain anonymous, explained that when she first moved into her flat, she noticed a little bit of mould on the windowsill in the bedroom.
But when she asked her estate agent, they advised her to open the window to allow air in, which is what she has done “everyday.”
The woman continues to write: “Fast forward to now and the mould in the bedroom and on the front door is awful.
“I live on one of those blocks where you open your front door and you’re already outside on a balcony.
“So everyday the outside of the door is cold whereas the inside is really warm.
“There’s always condensation on the windows in the morning and sometimes it’ll still be there by the evening even though the windows have been open for most of the day.
“The heating has started to come on in the last month or so, meaning I can’t always keep the windows wide open as that doesn’t make sense.
“Can anyone advise on what to do?”
She attached a picture of the mould, and then asked: “I’m looking at getting a dehumidifier (will that work?) but what can I use to clean the mould off in the meantime?”
What is mould and how to get rid of it?
Mould is more likely to grow during the winter months.
Olivia Young, Product Development Scientist at Astonish revealed exactly why this is.
“Unfortunately, mould is a common problem many people face during winter. It thrives in conditions that are warm and damp, so your bathrooms are likely to be the most affected place.
“That said, during the colder months most rooms in your home could be vulnerable to mould growing.
“This occurs primarily from condensation that builds up on your windows when you’ve got your radiators on.
“If you think about it, when windows and doors are closed, there’s not much chance for the air to circulate and the moisture to make a swift exit.
“This build up is what can cause dreaded mould to make an appearance, especially in bathrooms, as it creates that warm and wet environment that is a breeding ground for mould.
“If left untreated, not only is it unsightly but it can also pose a serious risk to your health, so it’s really important you treat it.
“The key to tackle mould is to act fast.
“Try to come into as little contact with it as you can. So, grab your gloves, tie up your hair and get to work to remove any signs of mould as soon as you notice them.
“To keep mould at bay, there are some simple solutions you can introduce throughout home.
“The first is keep it ventilated. Yes, even in the cold winter months try to leave your bathroom window open for at least 10/15 minutes post shower or bath. This will get rid of any excess moisture quickly preventing mould gathering.
“If you’re having a repeat problem with mould in one particular area, it might be because the humidity levels are too high. You can get a dehumidifier that will help keep the levels low and reduce the risk of mould returning.
“The golden rule to remember when dealing with mould is the quicker you can treat it, the better. If you leave it, it will only get worse so never ignore it!
“To successfully get rid of mould every time, I recommend opting for the UK’s No 1 Mould & Mildew Remover, that effectively removes mould and mildew stains almost instantly, with no scrubbing necessary.”
Many people who have suffered from a similar experience rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts.
One recommended: “Astonish mould and mildew blaster is good, about £1.00 in Wilko.
“Could you buy a window vac to remove the condensation each morning?”
Another suggested: “I’d give that a good scrub with bleach water first. Get some of the dehumidifier tubs and dot them about.”
Whilst a third said: “Spray it with white wine vinegar and wipe it off with a kitchen towel. Bag up and bin the kitchen towel straight away.
“A dehumidifier will help. I had water dripping off my ceiling and mould everywhere.
“I treated it with vinegar and used the dehumidifier and it quickly cleared up.”
5 Money-saving tips for autumn/winter
1. Draught-proof your home
It takes time and money to heat up your home, so it’s important that you do as much as you can to keep in the warmth. Close your doors and windows, and fill any gaps with a draught excluder.
2. Dial down your thermostat
According to Energy UK, turning down your thermostat by just one degree Celsius could cut your heating bill by up to 10%, and save you around £85 per year. Plus, if you don’t have a thermostat, installing one could save up to £70 per year!
3. Move furniture around
Make sure not big, bulky furniture like sofas are blocking radiators.
4. Wash clothes on a lower temp and add an extra spin
Unless it’s bedding, towels or really dirty items, dial down the temperature to 20 or 30 degrees, and do a double spin to remove excess water.
5. Heat the person not the home
There’s not point heating up a room that no one is sitting in, so be mindful about which radiators are on.