Image Credit: William Santos
The damp, cool weather we experience in the UK in winter is ideal for the formation of mould. We have all seem it – the black goo that forms around cold window frames and covers walls near showers or tumble driers. There is also that musty smell we can recognise when houses have been shut up for a while. These are both indicators of mould which can have serious health implications especially for people who suffer from allergies or more vulnerable groups such as babies, small children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. For everyone else, moulds create very poor indoor air quality which can lead to chronic health issues.
Moulds can produce allergens, irritants, and mycotoxins. Some of these can be toxic, especially to individuals who have a sensitivity to them. Over time, exposure to poisons released by moulds can cause a range of health disorders. Dampness encourages materials to break down, increasing the volume of particles in the air and making the problem worse.
Mould allergy symptoms are like other allergies – runny noses, coughing, sneezing and these symptoms can be easily confused with colds & flu. Moulds can also induce asthma attacks and other respiratory problems as the mould particles irritate the mucus lining of the airways and lungs.
Image Credit: Annie Spratt
What are moulds?
Moulds are part of the fungi family and mould spores are around us both inside and outside all the time. It is only when the spores find a good growing environment that moulds thrive and can be seen with the human eye. Moulds love places with lots of moisture such as choked guttering, roofs, windows and pipes or where there has been flooding. Inside, mould grows well on paper & wood products, cardboard and tile grout. Moulds can also grow in dust, paints, wallpaper, insulation, carpets, fabric, and upholstery.
How to eliminate moulds
How can we stop mould spores growing into mould?
Allergy UK has a very helpful summary of do’s and don’ts we should be aware of:
- Ventilate throughout the house including opening air vents, as moulds flourish in humid/damp environments
- Thoroughly clean your kitchen, bathroom and utility room (these are favourite places for mould due to the steam and humidity of cooking and bathing), and then ventilate these areas, remembering that mould may build up behind units and appliances and so may not be immediately visible
- Dry the rubber seal around the washing machine drum, the detergent drawer and the door, leave them ajar to air and help prevent moulds developing
- Open windows and close kitchen and bathroom doors when cooking, showering and bathing to prevent steam entering other rooms
- Don’t hang wet clothes to dry indoors or over radiators
- Clean mould from window frames and wipe dry condensation
- If you like plants in the house, cover the soil in the plant pot with pea-shingle as this will stop mould settling and forming
- In kitchens and bathrooms, use water resistant grouting for tiled areas. Make sure that the grouting of the tiles is flush with the work surface to eliminate any chances of mould.
Ventilation and cleaning are key
It is particularly important to ventilate your home even in cold weather. You can make this easier by alternating ventilation with heating. For instance, windows (and doors) can be opened in the mornings and as the temperature drops later in the day, close up and put the heating on. It is always a good idea to have a window open at night in bedrooms – even just a crack. In bathrooms during winter, open windows or turn on an extraction fan for an hour or so after you have finished to avoid a build-up of condensation. If you live in an old building or where the climate is more humid, consider investing in a dehumidifier. This will mean you can reduce the humidity in your home to less than 50% which is ideal for inhibiting the spread of moulds.
If laundry must be dried inside, it is better to use a heated laundry rack than hanging clothes over radiators. The heat from an electric clothes drier is gentler than radiators and clothes can be left overnight to dry and air at very little cost.
It is a good idea to deep clean kitchens and bathrooms during January. Fridges and washing machines are both prone to mould build-up and should be given an early spring clean. Use organic non-toxic multi-surface sprays that are safe around food and will not create air pollution if you are cleaning in a small space. Make sure you dry all surfaces in fridges and washing machines before you finish – especially around rubber seals and door closures. In fact, wherever you clean to irradicate moulds, it is very important to dry the area thoroughly afterwards to avoid repeated mould growth.
Indoor air quality is important as we spend around 90% of our time inside – especially during the colder months. Moulds can cause serious health issues and it is worth taking special measures to banish moulds from your home this winter.
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Further Reading
https://www.intunenutrition.co.uk/mould-illness/
https://www.allergyuk.org/resources/mould-allergy-advice-factsheet/