WINTER is now here in full force and millions of households are all wondering about the same thing – how to get rid of mould.
A study by Homebrite found that an astronomical 58% of privately rented households across England have reported damp, mould and/or excessive cold.
Not can only black spores make for an unsightly mess, the widespread fungi, as well as being exposed by dampness, can also have a negative impact on your health.
The NHS warned that those particularly vulnerable are people with respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma, as well as newborns, young children and the elderly.
Being exposed to and inhaling the mould spores can cause a range of issues, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and even a painful skin rash.
In some cases mould can also cause asthma attacks.
With temperatures now plummeting, hundreds of Brits have been taking to social media to seek advice and share their top tips to tackle mould.
Amongst them was also mum Amanda Emerson, from Farnham, Surrey, who recently discovered that her white curtains were covered in dozens of black spots.
According to Amanda, who also uploaded snaps of the damage caused by the mould in her house, the curtains were sitting against patio doors which were dripping wet with condensation.
”Any recommendations for getting mold out of curtains?” she asked for tips in the post.
”Hoping to pop them in the washing machine.”
Luckily for Amanda – and anyone else on the lookout for similar tips – more than 50 members of the popular Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips flooded to comments where they offered a helping hand.
One fan of the pregnant cleanfluencer advised the mum to add a cupboard essential in the laundry lot.
”Wash in machine with stated temp but put in lots of salt, it worked on mine. May have to repeat process.”
Someone else was raving about a special store-bought product which shoppers can snap up for as little as £1.50 from Sainsbury’s.
”I’ve them a good spray of Astonish Mould and Mildew destroyer, leave for a while then wash, try to hang on a washing line in fresh air.”
However, if you’re on the lookout for cheaper methods that won’t break the bank, several Mrs Hinch fans recommended another alternative – using white vinegar.
Raving about the bargain buy which you can find at B&M for a mere 79p, one cleaning fanatic said: ”White vinegar, not too hot wash, might need few tries.”
What is mould and how to get rid of it?
Mould is more likely to grow during the winter months.
Olivia Young, Product Development Scientist at Astonish revealed exactly why this is.
“Unfortunately, mould is a common problem many people face during winter. It thrives in conditions that are warm and damp, so your bathrooms are likely to be the most affected place.
“That said, during the colder months most rooms in your home could be vulnerable to mould growing.
“This occurs primarily from condensation that builds up on your windows when you’ve got your radiators on.
“If you think about it, when windows and doors are closed, there’s not much chance for the air to circulate and the moisture to make a swift exit.
“This build up is what can cause dreaded mould to make an appearance, especially in bathrooms, as it creates that warm and wet environment that is a breeding ground for mould.
“If left untreated, not only is it unsightly but it can also pose a serious risk to your health, so it’s really important you treat it.
“The key to tackle mould is to act fast.
“Try to come into as little contact with it as you can. So, grab your gloves, tie up your hair and get to work to remove any signs of mould as soon as you notice them.
“To keep mould at bay, there are some simple solutions you can introduce throughout home.
“The first is keep it ventilated. Yes, even in the cold winter months try to leave your bathroom window open for at least 10/15 minutes post shower or bath. This will get rid of any excess moisture quickly preventing mould gathering.
“If you’re having a repeat problem with mould in one particular area, it might be because the humidity levels are too high. You can get a dehumidifier that will help keep the levels low and reduce the risk of mould returning.
“The golden rule to remember when dealing with mould is the quicker you can treat it, the better. If you leave it, it will only get worse so never ignore it!
“To successfully get rid of mould every time, I recommend opting for the UK’s No 1 Mould & Mildew Remover, that effectively removes mould and mildew stains almost instantly, with no scrubbing necessary.”
Someone else was also praising the purse-friendly cleaning hack, writing: ”White vinegar will get it off, done it myself, came out great.”
The kitchen staple, a popular trick in the cleaning community, has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Shop-bought white vinegar contains about 5 to 8 percent acetic acid, which can disrupt the growth of fungus and other microorganisms.
Explaining how to use this method, experts from bathroom retailer Plumbworld added: “Vinegar is a great option for killing mould.
“It may smell unpleasant, but it won’t have the toxicity of bleach.
“Pour it straight onto the spores or use a spray bottle.
“Try mixing it with water with a ratio of 2:1, leave for 30 minutes before wiping.”
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