I live in a caravan & even the anti-mould spray couldn’t help my walls – a 35p Tesco buy got rid of the spores for good
FOR millions of households the arrival of autumn comes with the same issue – the annual return of mould.
Living in a mouldy house can cause respiratory illnesses, allergies and asthma, and can sometimes be fatal, with newborns, young children and the elderly amongst the most vulnerable.
According to data by Homebrite, the problem is huge in the UK, with a staggering 58 per cent of privately rented households reporting issues with the common fungus.
With temperatures now dropping, many Brits have been taking to social media to seek help and share their top tips on how to tackle the autumn/winter issue.
Amongst them was also Jackie JD Wakley, from Kent, who couldn’t remove mould for good in her static caravan, no matter what she tried.
Sharing her woes on Facebook, Jackie wrote: ”Evening all, I’m after some advice please.
”I currently live in a static caravan, and I’m experiencing black mould.
”I’ve washed it down with anti mould spray, then I paired it with egg shell paint.
”Unfortunately a week later, it’s coming back through the paint,” she said, also uploading images of the white walls before and after using the special cleaning products.
Desperate to fix the problem, Jackie wondered: ”My question is: How do I get rid of it for good?”
Luckily for Jackie – and anyone else dealing with mould this season – the post was soon inundated with responses from savvy cleaning fans.
There were several responses and suggestions, ranging from placing bowls of rice near more humid areas, as well as forking out for a dehumidifier.
However, the most popular trick appeared to be using a common kitchen staple that’s most likely already sitting in your cupboard – distilled white vinegar.
According to thrifty cleaning enthusiasts, this product – which sells for a mere 35p at Tesco – is the perfect solution for tackling unsightly mould.
One member of the popular DIY on a Budget Official group said: ”Vinegar will do it also clove essential oil kill the spours [spores] it won’t grow back.”
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.”
Someone else was also raving over the purse-friendly mould-killing method, writing: ”Yes white vinegar, leave a while and wipe it will kill it.
”We found we needed a damp and stain blocker paint under our normal wall paint to stop the spots coming through again in our bathroom on the ceiling.
”We also have the mini dehumidifiers in areas that get cold around the house to help just the throw away ones.
”We open air vents and windows even for 30mins a day to air off home too. Hope you get sorted.”
A third agreed, commenting: ”Cheapest option is Distilled vinegar, can either wipe it down with saturated cloth or spray leave for a bit and wipe off. It will kill the mould spores.
”Depending on how bad it is, you may have to do a few times but it will get rid of it.”
Even experts in the field are praising this affordable solution, with the team at Service Master Restore writing: ”The reason why vinegar can kill mold while bleach cannot is because the vinegar has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
”The acetic acid that is present in vinegar has a decently strong pH of 2.5.
”Because of this strong pH level, vinegar is able to disrupt and stop the growth of mould, fungi, and other organisms.”