1. Dry wet areas immediately
Mould will only grow where there is moisture, by tackling wet areas straight away you reduce the chance of mould appearing in your property. Mould is most common in bathrooms and so it is important to remember to dry the floor and walls after a shower, and don’t forget to hang up your wet towel!
2. Move furniture away from the walls
One of the first steps to preventing mould is to ensure that there is proper air flow through each room in your property. A simple way to achieve this is moving your furniture away from the walls. Exterior walls in particular are often colder than interior walls and therefore more at risk of damp and mould.
3. Prevent moisture with proper ventilation
Anything from boiling a kettle, cooking your dinner or having a shower can produce steam, thus producing moisture that can cause mould. Opening a window and turning on your extractor fans will help to reduce the moisture in the air.
4. Dry your clothes outside
Did you know that from just one load of washing over 2 litres of moisture is released into the air? This can be a major cause of damp and by drying your clothes outside you can easily alleviate this issue. If you do not have access to a suitable outdoor area then as stated above, ensure there is a window open to provide ventilation.
5. Prevent smoke in your property
Too much smoke in the air can easily contaminate it and without proper ventilation can lead to mould developing. If you are a smoker then it is always advisable to smoke outside, but also try to prevent lighting to many candles and if you have a fire then use it sparingly, unless it is ventilated correctly.
Removing mould
Make sure that when it comes to cleaning the mould, you work in a ventilated area with correct safety equipment, such as gloves and masks to ensure your safety. Do not just attempt to scrape the mould off, especially if you have a respiratory condition such as asthma.
The simplest way to remove mould is to make a solution that is four parts water and one part bleach, apply the solution to the mould using a damp cloth, scrubbing gently until it is gone.
If the mould persists then contact your landlord to let them know of the issue and they will assess what further action needs to be taken. Remember that any issues such as mould that you fail to report could leave you liable for the professional cleaning at the end of your tenancy.
