Mould is a common type of fungi that can quickly develop and spread in damp atmospheres, and on the surfaces of food stuffs, walls and on fabrics. Most homes will have experienced an outbreak of mould at some point, particularly in damp climates or during wet seasons of the year.
Not only does mould look unpleasant, but it can also cause allergic reactions; if you find that you’re waking up in the morning with sore, itchy eyes and a nose that won’t stop running, then it could be that you’re reacting to mould, hiding somewhere in your home.
Mould is easy enough to eradicate though, and there are even ways of ensuring that it doesn’t have a chance to grow in the first place. Listed below are some places that mould can frequently be found within the home, and some solutions for getting rid of it:
In and on, your washing machine:
Mould is a big lover of front loading washing machines and it can very quickly develop on, and around the door gasket. The door seal is often damp when it’s left closed for periods of time, which encourages the mould to build up, but remembering to wipe it dry after every use should help stop it from developing. If you already have mould there, then set your machine going on a hot wash with bleach, which will destroy the fungi.
The sashes and seals of windows:
Mould simply adores dirty, dusty, damp places, as windows often are, and these areas of your home can provide it with the perfect conditions with which to multiply and build up.
To help prevent this, try and ensure that you open all of your windows up after a period of rain and wipe away all of the moisture that may be sitting on the bottom of the sashes and sills. Damaged seals can also encourage mould to grow, so it’s important to replace faulty ones as and when necessary. Keeping the windows as clean as possible, and as often as possible (once a month, at least), will of course help to prevent mould from growing on them.
Air conditioning units:
A/C units in your home are constantly getting bunged up with pollen, dust and moisture, and it’s only a matter of time before mould begins to thrive in this environment, particularly if the air conditioning isn’t being run very often in warmer weather. To prevent a build-up of mould, you should try to use the air conditioning at least once in every 24 hours, but if you do notice that you have a problem with mould, it should really be cleaned by a professional.
The drip pan of your refrigerator:
The tray that sits beneath your refrigerator is something that can easily get forgotten about, during your cleaning routine. You don’t really need to clean it all that often – once every 6 months should be enough – but do so with a good antibacterial solution to prevent mould from hiding there.
Chimneys:
The nooks and crannies in the brickwork of your chimney can be a great hiding placing for water and dirt, and all it takes is some faulty flashing to encourage rain and snow to leak in and attract mould. Having your chimney examined and cleaned at least once a year, and quickly replacing any faulty parts, should help prevent mould from growing there and allow your chimney to function as it should.