Mould often appears as a result of condensation or dampness. By reducing condensation you can reduce mould growing.

Condensation

Condensation is when the water in the air cools down and turns into liquid. In your home this is seen as water droplets on windows or water pooling on windowsills. This is very common after a cold night. If you find patches of mould on walls, furniture or clothes and have patches of damp, it is possible condensation may be the cause.

This Energy Saving Trust video gives advice about managing condensation in your home.

You can reduce condensation in your home by:

• keeping all rooms in your house warm
• placing reflector panels behind your radiators
• closing curtains or blinds to keep the heat in
• turning off taps whilst brushing your teeth
• pulling furniture away from the walls
• closing doors whilst cooking or bathing with a window open
• drying clothes outside where you can
• allowing air to flow through your home using open windows and trickle vents

You can also stop condensation forming on windows by:

• rubbing a small spot of washing up liquid over the surface with a cloth
• cutting a potato in half and rubbing it across the window, buffing with a cloth afterwards

Mould

Mould appears as black spots around windows, skirting boards or ceiling edges. Mould can cause an allergic reaction and make existing breathing problems worse. Babies, young children and the elderly are more at risk.

You can remove or stop mould by:

• using a cleaning spray containing bleach
• using mould-resistant paint
• wiping away condensation around windows
• not overfilling wardrobes and cupboards