I’m a property expert – the exact humidity level to keep your home at to stop condensation and mould this winter
WITH condensation appearing in more and more homes across the country, if you want to banish the wet stuff from your windows, fear not, we’ve got just what you need.
Property experts have shared their top tips and tricks to tackle this damp dilemma – and it turns out there’s an exact humidity level you must keep your home at to ensure condensation, mould and damp don’t take over this winter.
Not only this, but if you want your home to be mould free, you’ll need to pay close attention to your heating, cooking and shower habits too.
How you heat your home, dry clothes indoors and prepare your dinner without sufficient ventilation, are just some of the factors that contribute to mould growth.
It’s a common issue in British homes during the colder months and can lead to all kinds of issues, including respiratory problems.
But luckily for you, the pros at online home store Wayfair UK have shared their top tips for keeping your home warm, dry and condensation and mould free this winter.
The first tip is to keep an eye out for condensation build-up and wipe it away as quickly as possible.
The experts explained: “Heating our homes during colder months can create conditions that encourage mould growth.
“Warmer air holds more moisture, and when it meets cold surfaces, condensation—tiny water droplets—forms.
“Be mindful of condensation on windows and sills, and wipe it away as soon as you notice it.”
Not only this, but the experts also recommended investing in a dehumidifier.
Thanks to these handy gadgets, which can cost just 4p to run, they can control how much moisture is in the air, helping you put a stop to mould and condensation.
The experts also specified the ideal humidity level you should aim to keep your home at.
They shared: “To prevent mould growth, it’s important to keep humidity levels at around 45 percent in your home.
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.
“Using dehumidifiers can help manage moisture – these portable and easily replaceable devices are an effective solution for preventing mould during the colder months.”
In addition to this, another way to keep mould out of your home is to keep your living spaces ventilated.
As unappealing as it might be to open a window when it’s cold and raining outside, ventilating your home throughout winter will decrease the formation of mould spores within your space.
The experts claimed that you should open windows twice a day, as they added: “Cracking open a window, especially in areas of high humidity such as bathrooms and kitchens, allows the moisture to escape, minimising moisture and mould in your home.”
Cheap gadgets to help you stay warm
MARTIN Lewis' MoneySavingExpert shared six gadgets that can help you keep the heating off but stay warm.
Heating “the human not the home” means you warm yourself instead of turning on the heating and heating the whole house.
This can save money on your heating bill and means you don’t have to sit in the cold.
- USB gloves – initial cost £10, cost to run less than 1p an hour
- Heated insoles – initial cost £10, cost to run less than 1p an hour
- USB hand warmers – initial cost £15, cost to run less than 1p an hour
- Electric gilet – initial cost £50 (including battery pack), cost to run less than 1p an hour
- Microwaveable wheat bag – initial cost £4, cost to run less than 1p per hours
- Reusable hand warmers – initial cost £5 for a pair, cost to run less than 1p per hour
Whilst you can also use mould-preventing paint, which has chemicals called biocides embedded within the formula, to stop mould from forming.
But if you don’t fancy redecorating, another fast and free trick is to simply move any furniture away from exterior walls.
Wayfair’s home experts revealed: “Moisture can get trapped behind your furniture, and without proper ventilation and airflow, the moisture can create mould and mildew on your furniture.
“Simply moving your furniture an inch away from the wall can create enough airflow to minimise the formation of mould within your home.”