With the unseasonal wet weather and consistent high humidity, mould is becoming a problem for many homes across the Sunshine Coast. If left untreated, it can cause health problems and damage to home surfaces, such as discolouration, or worse.
Here are some tips to safely removing mould from your home and ways to prevent it from happening:
- Safety first. Make sure if you are removing mould there is good ventilation and that you wear protective clothing such as a shower cap, rubber gloves, eye protection and a P1 or P2 mask. These are all generally available from your local hardware store.
- Mould grows where there is moisture. Finding the source of the moisture and, where possible, sealing it can be key to preventing the mould from reoccurring once you have removed it.
- Throw out any items which are unable to be cleaned. Such as cardboard boxes & mattresses. Clothing, soft toys and other fabric items that can’t be cleaned should also be disposed of as this will help stop the spread of mould.
- White vinegar & water (80% vinegar & 20% water) using a microfiber cloth & some elbow grease should be sufficient for most hard surfaces. Make sure you rinse the cloth in clean water regularly to prevent you from spreading the mould from one surface to another. Don’t forget your protective clothing from tip 1.
- Humidifiers and reverse cycle air-conditioners in dry mode are an effective way to keep the air dry inside your home when the humidity is high and help prevent moisture build-up.
- Running exhaust fans in laundries and bathrooms for longer than the time spent drying and showering can also prevent the build-up of moisture.
To reduce mould regrowth, it is very important to keep areas dry where the mould has been growing. Check for leaks and get them fixed quickly.
The quickest and simplest way to dry out your home is to open all the doors and windows to thoroughly air your home when the wet weather subsides. And, If you do have a severe mould issue, it is always advised to seek professional help.
Fingers crossed for blue skies ahead!