Sweaty Summer Survival Guide: How to Protect Your Home From Mould
When it's hot and sticky, it's not just our energy levels that suffer, but our homes too – here's how to prevent mould
Those searing, humid days can zap your energy levels and wreak havoc on your home. Mould growth on your interior and belongings can not only damage your health but end up costing you a fortune in replacements. According to research from Mitsubishi Electric Australia for its Healthy Home Trends Report, released late last year, around one in five of us (22 percent) has mould in at least one room of the home. Furthermore, it reveals damp conditions cost Australians a staggering $3 billion a year in ruined items, including damaged furniture, clothing and shoes.
We spoke to the experts to find out the safe humidity levels you should be aiming for in your home, and how to achieve them.
We spoke to the experts to find out the safe humidity levels you should be aiming for in your home, and how to achieve them.
Which areas in your home are prone to mould?
“Mould can affect various parts of your home, including carpet and flooring, wall fixtures and fittings as well as timber beams. It can also affect your furniture, causing it to swell or warp, as well as affect your clothing and shoes,” says Colin Jones, category expert at Appliances Online.
Prevention is best, he says. “Fixing those parts of your home and items that have been affected by mould can be a tedious and costly task.”
“Mould can affect various parts of your home, including carpet and flooring, wall fixtures and fittings as well as timber beams. It can also affect your furniture, causing it to swell or warp, as well as affect your clothing and shoes,” says Colin Jones, category expert at Appliances Online.
Prevention is best, he says. “Fixing those parts of your home and items that have been affected by mould can be a tedious and costly task.”
Are some rooms more susceptible than others?
“Mould can be found anywhere in your house, however it’s most common in moist rooms, poorly ventilated laundries and bathrooms.
“Dark spots with poor air flow such as wardrobes can be susceptible to mould too,” says Jones.
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“Mould can be found anywhere in your house, however it’s most common in moist rooms, poorly ventilated laundries and bathrooms.
“Dark spots with poor air flow such as wardrobes can be susceptible to mould too,” says Jones.
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What are safe indoor humidity levels to be aiming for?
“Ideally, between 30 to 50 percent,” says Dr Rochford.
“Ideally, between 30 to 50 percent,” says Dr Rochford.
Netatmo Weather Station, which uses a hygrometer to measure indoor humidity levels.
How can you measure humidity?
“A humidity monitor – or hygrometer – will measure the amount of water in the air. There are many models available and they are affordable and effective,” says Jean-Marc Adele, business development executive at Mitsubishi Electric Australia.
How can you measure humidity?
“A humidity monitor – or hygrometer – will measure the amount of water in the air. There are many models available and they are affordable and effective,” says Jean-Marc Adele, business development executive at Mitsubishi Electric Australia.
What are some signs you have a mould problem?
Jones says:
Jones says:
- Water stains on your walls or windows.
- Foggy windows or trickles of water appearing on the glass.
- A musty smell coming from a specific area.
- Small amounts of mould beginning to appear.
- Your skin feeling tight, clammy and sticky.
- A dark water line appearing in the toilet can also be a sign of excessive mould spores in the air.
What can help limit the chance of mould growth?
Dr Rochford says:
Dr Rochford says:
- Open the windows: Ventilation and improved circulation of air can be a cheap and effective way of reducing humidity.
- Insulate your home: This also helps keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.
- Use dehumidifiers: These will extract moisture from the air and reduce indoor humidity.
- Add extraction fans to your bathrooms and laundry: This will help combat the effects of hot showers and the moisture from a vented dryer.
- Use an air purifier: It will remove allergens from the air, ensuring your family is breathing clean air.
Are there are practical habits to get into?
Carter says:
Carter says:
- Have a no-shoe policy indoors to prevent bringing moisture and mould spores into the house.
- Make sure the bathroom is well-ventilated during showering.
- After showering, wipe down the walls, leave the exhaust fan on for 20 minutes and straighten the shower curtain, if you have one, so it dries efficiently.
- Avoid using a thick and heavy bath mat as this can act as a reservoir for mould spores.
- In the kitchen, open the dishwasher door after use so the steam can escape.
- Don’t leave your dishcloth or sponge in the kitchen sink and be sure to change it at least every one or two weeks.
- Leave the extractor fan on while cooking.
Samsung GEO WindFree Air Conditioner.
What else can help?
Choosing the right air conditioner can also make a difference. All Samsung air conditioners, for example, have a ‘dry’ mode that lowers indoor humidity, which can help reduce the chance of mould build-up in the room it’s installed.
What else can help?
Choosing the right air conditioner can also make a difference. All Samsung air conditioners, for example, have a ‘dry’ mode that lowers indoor humidity, which can help reduce the chance of mould build-up in the room it’s installed.
“If your laundry is small and not well-ventilated, consider investing in a good heat-pump dryer,” says Jones. “This type of dryer passes heat through the drum, but instead of using a heat exchanger they use smart, heat-pump technology that not only condenses the humid air into vapour, but also conserves and recycles much of its heat within the dryer rather than exhausting it into the room.
“This not only makes a heat-pump dryer the most energy-efficient dryer on the market, it also won’t put moisture back into your laundry.”
“This not only makes a heat-pump dryer the most energy-efficient dryer on the market, it also won’t put moisture back into your laundry.”
Mitsubishi Electric MJ-EV38HR dehumidifier.
Help! My wardrobe’s damp – what should I do?
“The first thing to do is create space for enough airflow in your cupboard,” says Adele. “Spread hanging clothes apart from one another and temporarily remove some items to create space. Place a dehumidifier in front of the open wardrobe at least one or two metres away and turn it on ‘auto’ setting or ‘maximum’ to dry the area out,” he says.
Help! My wardrobe’s damp – what should I do?
“The first thing to do is create space for enough airflow in your cupboard,” says Adele. “Spread hanging clothes apart from one another and temporarily remove some items to create space. Place a dehumidifier in front of the open wardrobe at least one or two metres away and turn it on ‘auto’ setting or ‘maximum’ to dry the area out,” he says.
My favourite shoes got drenched – what now?
“First, wipe off any immediate moisture on shoes and boots with an old towel or clean cloth and place them on a clothes horse. You can then run a dehumidifier on ‘auto’ setting to dry them out. This method will help to gently extract moisture from your items, and ensure that it does not evaporate into your home and increase the humidity,” says Adele.
“Be mindful of any care instructions that come with the shoes or boots. Also, keep in mind that some materials may need careful attention.”
“First, wipe off any immediate moisture on shoes and boots with an old towel or clean cloth and place them on a clothes horse. You can then run a dehumidifier on ‘auto’ setting to dry them out. This method will help to gently extract moisture from your items, and ensure that it does not evaporate into your home and increase the humidity,” says Adele.
“Be mindful of any care instructions that come with the shoes or boots. Also, keep in mind that some materials may need careful attention.”
Samsung AirDresser.
New products such as Samsung’s AirDresser can also help save your shoes, jackets and knitwear if you’re caught in a downpour.
With the door open, the AirDresser acts as a room dehumidifer. When the door is shut, you can use it to gently dry even your most delicate clothes and shoes or to remove creases, sweat or cooking and tobacco odours between washes. It will even assess the dampness level of clothes and automatically set the right cycle length for the job.
New products such as Samsung’s AirDresser can also help save your shoes, jackets and knitwear if you’re caught in a downpour.
With the door open, the AirDresser acts as a room dehumidifer. When the door is shut, you can use it to gently dry even your most delicate clothes and shoes or to remove creases, sweat or cooking and tobacco odours between washes. It will even assess the dampness level of clothes and automatically set the right cycle length for the job.
Ausclimate NWT Supreme All Season 50L dehumidifier: Appliances Online.
What’s the best way to run a dehumidifier on hot and sticky days?
“On high-humidity days, consider running the dehumidifier between 10 and 12 hours a day – even 24/7 if your unit has the capacity,” says Jones. “Most dehumidifiers use little power, which means you can operate them for long periods of time.”
What’s the best way to run a dehumidifier on hot and sticky days?
“On high-humidity days, consider running the dehumidifier between 10 and 12 hours a day – even 24/7 if your unit has the capacity,” says Jones. “Most dehumidifiers use little power, which means you can operate them for long periods of time.”
When choosing a dehumidifier, size matters. If the capacity is too small, it won’t be effective in removing moisture from the room, says Jones.
As a guide, seek out dehumidifiers with the following capacities, he says:
As a guide, seek out dehumidifiers with the following capacities, he says:
- A small room, such as a child’s bedroom or an ensuite: 10 to 25 litres per day.
- A medium-size room, such as a dining room: 20 to 35 litres per day.
- A large area, such as an open-plan room: 35 litres or more per day.
Your turn
Is mould an issue in your home? How do you deal with it? Tell us in the Comments below, save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on keeping your home healthy? Don’t miss this story: How to Supercharge Your Home’s Hygiene
Is mould an issue in your home? How do you deal with it? Tell us in the Comments below, save your favourite images for inspiration, like this story, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on keeping your home healthy? Don’t miss this story: How to Supercharge Your Home’s Hygiene
“High humidity in the home creates an environment for two of the most common and undesirable triggers for asthma and allergy – dust mites and mould,” says Dr Andrew Rochford, a medical professional and TV host.
“Moulds produce allergens – substances that can cause allergic reactions – and irritants. Inhaling or touching mould or mould spores can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, leading to hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rashes.
“If you have a mould allergy and asthma, your asthma symptoms can be triggered by exposure to mould spores. In some people, exposure to certain moulds can cause a severe asthma attack,” says Dr Rochford.