Once mould starts growing anywhere in your home, it’s extremely difficult to get rid of it or stop it from spreading, so it’s important to prevent it from growing in the first place. Often that means taking precautionary measures, especially if you live in an environment prone to the fungi.
There are nine pivotal steps to preventing mould growth in your home, and we’ve highlighted them for you below:
1. Plan for a Mould-Free Home
You can apply mould-inhibitors to your paint before painting your house and use cleaning agents with mould-cleaning features in moisture-prone areas.
It’s also a good idea to avoid placing carpets or other moisture-absorbing items in these high-humidity areas to prevent moisture from accumulating and attracting mould.
2. Mould-Proof Your Floor
If you have crawl spaces or basement areas, ensure that they are covered with plastic to prevent moisture from seeping through the floor. You can also achieve this by having a proper drainage system and clean gutters so that any water that collects within is directed away from your home.
3. Identify Problem Areas
If your house has areas constantly exposed to water, moisture or flooding, identify these problem areas before you start taking corrective measures to make them mould-resistant.
For example, one might take note of water stains from leaky piping on the ceiling or a frequently-flooded basement area. Whatever is causing the leak or flooding should be corrected before preventative measures are taken.
4. Remove Mould Immediately
If you notice mould growing anywhere on or inside your house, remove it quickly with a mixture of soap and water or by using bleach to effectively kill it. However, refrain from mixing ammonia and cleaners with bleach since the combination can create toxic fumes.
5. Tackle Wet Areas Immediately
Mould thrives on moisture, so you should get rid of water leaks or drainage as soon as possible, even if that means getting rid of waterlogged furniture, mattresses, and carpets that can’t be completely dried.
6. Monitor Moisture
Use a digital thermometer or a hygrometer to monitor the humidity in your home. Optimally, the humidity levels should be kept below 60 percent to prevent mould from growing. If your house constantly has a high humidity level, you can use a dehumidifier to help you tackle the issue.
7. Ventilate the Bathroom
Moisture and humidity quickly can accumulate in bathrooms, so it’s important to keep this area well ventilated. You can create airflow by keeping your bathroom window open when you shower.
If your bathroom does not have a window, you can leave the door open after your shower to help more quickly eliminate the moisture, or install an exhaust fan in your bathroom to blow it out of the room.
8. Seal Air-conditioned Areas
When outside air flows in while your air-conditioner is operating, warm, humid air enters your room and is cooled down by your AC, condensing it and increasing the surrounding humidity. As such, it is important that you keep your windows and doors shut while your AC in turned on.
9. Clean, Dust and Disinfect Household Surfaces
Eighty percent of mould grows on dusty surfaces, so you should regularly clean your house. For optimal results, use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to get rid of dust and other mould-promoting agents as best possible. You can also use a vapour steam cleaner for cleaning to really disinfect surfaces.