4 simple steps to prevent mould growth in winter

26 Jun 23

Mould is like a houseguest who overstays their welcome: once it settles in, it can seem impossible to get rid of. But with these expert mould prevention tips, you’ll be enjoying a mould-free home in no time.

How do I know if I have mould?

Mould can grow anywhere in the home – even on curtains and upholstery. Visible mould is fairly easy to spot. It can be black, white or another colour and may have a soft or velvety appearance. An easy test is to pop a bit of bleach on it, as this will lighten it in just a few minutes.

However, it’s important to know that you might not spot mould at all. Instead, you might pick up a musty, soil-like smell – or you may notice that the surface it’s growing on has become warped or cracked.

The only way to truly test for mould is to have a mould removal expert like V.I.P. Carpet Cleaning & More check it out for you, as they can use cutting-edge tools to properly assess and diagnose the problem.

Why is mould growth worse in winter?

The perfect conditions for mould growth are simple: plenty of food, moisture, and a toasty temperature. When all three needs are met, mould is likely to start growing in as little as two days.

Bear in mind that it can take much longer than that to notice the mould. This gives it more time to cause severe structural damage – as well as serious health problems like asthma, headache, sinus congestion and more.

That’s why it’s best to prevent mould growth, rather than try to tackle it once it’s made itself a home in your home. That being said, if you are already dealing with a mould problem, check out these tips on how to get rid of mould – fast.

So what can you do to keep mould at bay? Let’s get to work on that winter home maintenance…

1. Ventilate, ventilate, ventilate

Condensation is the number one cause of mould growth in the home. So the first thing you’ll want to do is make sure there’s plenty of airflow. At the same time, you’ll want to keep humidity to a minimum.

How can you do that? Open your windows and use exhaust fans. This is especially important in the bathroom to remove steam after showering, and in the kitchen after cooking.

Be sure to keep the fan running well after you steam it up. Some say up to fifteen minutes is best, while others recommend half an hour. This helps to remove as much excess moisture from the air as possible.

Of course, keeping your windows open in winter isn’t always pleasant. If that’s the case, plug in a dehumidifier and it will also tackle the moisture for you.

Bonus tip: try to avoid drying clothes on a rack inside. This can increase the amount of moisture in your home.

2. Double glaze your windows

To combat condensation, you want to keep the exterior of your home warm. Wall insulation and double glazing windows can help significantly. This also has the added bonus of keeping you toasty in winter and reducing your heating bills.

However, both can be expensive measures. So in the meantime, you can simply stick bubble wrap or a special perspex product to your windows and frames. Experts say it works just as well.

3. Open up

One of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent mould growth is to open your window blinds and curtains.

That might seem counterintuitive if you keep them closed to warm the home. But they can make condensation worse by creating cold air spots on the window glass. So, as often as possible, open your window treatments as part of your winter home care. This also lets in loads of natural light to further combat mould growth.

Bonus tip: Hire an upholstery cleaning service to also keep your curtains clean and mould-free.
 

4. Hire a professional carpet cleaning service

Regular, quality mould remediation (or mould cleaning) is essential for tackling the problem in winter – and all year round. However, regular vacuuming is rarely enough to remove mould spores and other allergens from your carpets. Moreover, most mould removal products do little to actually fix the problem.

So consider hiring a professional carpet and mould removal technician, like V.I.P. Carpet Cleaning & More. They will know how to expertly prevent and treat mould in your home – before it becomes a bigger problem.

Book your professional mould remediation service with our friendly accredited carpet cleaning technicians today.