Lifestyle

Top tips to stop mould and mildew for good

It might be getting hotter but it’s also getting wetter – it’s storm season and one of the best breeding grounds for mould is a damp, hot space.

You may have noticed you have a mould problem in your house, however mould can be lurking where you least expect it.

Aside from looking terrible, mould can cause health problems. An allergy to mould can develop as a result of exposure over an extended period of time and about 50 per cent of people who live in mouldy conditions will develop hay fever-like symptoms. Health conditions are made worse by mould as it can irritate your airways and aggravate asthma.

Many people use bleach on mould but this is not an effective solution – it tends to come back worse. The best way to treat and prevent mould is to follow the tips below.

How to find mould

Mould can grow almost anywhere that spores land and find moisture and a comfortable temperature. You can easily spot the most visible type of mould, called mildew, which begins as tiny, usually black spots but often grows into larger colonies. It’s the black stuff you see in the grout lines in your shower, on damp walls, and outdoors on the surfaces of decks, especially in damp and shady areas. A mildewed surface can be hard to distinguish from a dirty one. To test for mildew, simply dab a few drops of household bleach on the blackened area. If it lightens after one to two minutes, you have mildew. If the area remains dark, you probably have dirt.
Mould can cause rot and often you can smell it – it’s a damp, stale smell that lingers in a room, so it’s best to treat it ASAP once you know you have it.

Before you start

Sort mouldy items into non-porous (hard plastics, wood, steel), semi-porous (walls and surfaces) and super-porous (clothes, carpet, paper, furniture).

Throw out anything that is super-porous and covered in mould – it’ll be hard to restore it, unless you have your carpet professionally cleaned.

DIY mould solutions

Vinegar solution

Steps

  1. Pour a concentration of 80% vinegar to 20% water into three buckets
  2. Grab a microfibre cloth, dip it into the first bucket and clean a patch of mould
  3. Rinse the cloth in the second bucket, and rinse again in the third
  4. Repeat until all mould is cleaned off
  5. Wipe areas with dry microfibre cloth when finished

Tea tree oil

Steps

  1. Add 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil to a spray bottle filled with water
  2. Spray on problem areas and do not rinse
  3. Wipe areas with dry microfibre cloth when finished

Grapefruit seed extract

If you don’t like the smell of tea tree oil, grapefruit seed is just as effective.

Steps

  1. Add 20 drops grapefruit seed extract to a spray bottle filled with water
  2. Spray on problem areas and do not rinse
  3. Wipe areas with dry microfibre cloth when finished

Bi-carb soda

You can use bi-carb with vinegar too.

Steps

  1. Dissolve 2 tablespoons of baking soda into water and spray onto surface.
  2. Let it sit, then scrub and wipe with a damp cloth.
  3. Wipe areas with dry microfibre cloth when finished

Vodka

You don’t need to use an expensive vodka for this solution.

Steps

  1. Put half a cup of vodka into a spray bottle and add a little water.
  2. Spritz the vodka straight on mould and leave on.
  3. Use a rag or sponge to wipe away the mould.
  4. Wipe areas with dry microfibre cloth when finished

Prevention

  • Invest in a dehumidifier for damp areas – these can be bought from cheap stores for around $2. You’ll be amazed how much moisture they will gather.
  • Fix any leaks in a room or gaps in floor boards.
  • Let in fresh air and sunlight – open some windows even in colder months.
  • Keep clothes and other fabrics dry – don’t leave on the line all week in the rain.

Tell us, do you have mould? What solution has worked best for you?

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