SHOPPERS are rushing to buy a 60p mould-fighting gadget which banishes condensation – and they’ve “never seen them this cheap”.
Mould is something many households dread when winter comes around, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to get rid of.
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Mould is a type of fungi that live on animal or plant matter, including building materials like wood and plasterboard, and furnishings like curtains, carpets and boxes.
It plays a major role in the ecosystem of the earth – but it can be dangerous inside the home.
Typically mould is caused by humidity, condensation. or poor ventilation.
Rising damp is also a reason your walls and ceilings could be mouldy.
Rising damp could indicate a serious problem with the internal walls as a pipe behind the walls or under your bath may have burst.
Luckily, there are a plethora of solutions to the mould problem – and some of them are quite affordable.
As mould is caused by condensation, the best way to tackle it is to prevent dampness.
Interior dehumidifiers can draw in any moisture and stop condensation.
And a pack of 18 is available for £11.97 online – working out at 60p each – which will last you a long time.
Each one can absorb up to three times its own weight in water, and it can be placed anywhere in the house where you need to be rid of dampness.
Shoppers are saying “this stuff is amazing” and are impressed with the “bargain price”.
One person wrote: “I will be working on a more permanent solution but in the mean time these will help reduce issues.”
Living with mould in your home can affect your physical and mental health.
According to research by Envirodent, damp caused by condensation is on the rise, affecting 1 in 5 homes in the UK.
Mould can be harmful for vulnerable groups including the elderly, infants and children and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Mould impacts your immune system and can cause respiratory problems.
The spores produce allergens that can cause sneezing, a runny nose, skin rashes and even asthma attacks.
How to get rid of mould
The best way to tackle mould is to prevent it. To do that, you need to stop condensation and moisture from building up in the house:
While opening windows in the cold months may be the last thing you want to do, you don’t have to do it often.
Let stale air out and fresh, but cold, air in during morning and before you go to bed.
- Make sure your extractor fans are working
These are the fans you find in kitchens and bathrooms, and they help remove excess steam from the air and therefore prevent a build-up of condensation.
Although dehumidifiers themselves use energy to work, they are a great help in removing vast amounts of condensation in a relatively short period.
Most good dehumidifiers are automatic, meaning that they will turn on and off when desired humidity levels are reached.
If mould is already there, here’s how to get rid of it:
Pour three per cent strength hydrogen peroxide into a bottle and spray it on the affected area, wait ten minutes, and then scrub the mould away
Spray some vinegar on the surface and leave it for at least an hour, scrub with a brush, then wipe with a damp cloth. Never mix with bleach as it’s dangerous.
Dissolve baking soda in water, and spray it on the mould. Scrub with a brush, remove excess with damp clothes and leave to dry.
If using bleach, mix four parts of water with one part of bleach.
Apply your solution to the affected areas, scrub it firmly, wait as long as possible, and rinse the treated areas thoroughly, let it dry.
Dominic Lees-Bell, a bathroom expert from Drench, said investing in window insulation film could be the answer to the mould problem.
Cleaning expert, Laura Harnett, has revealed a £1 buy which can banish mould from your house.
A Tiktoker Carly is thrilled with the results of a cheap gadget she hails as a “game changer” in preventing mould from growing in the home.
A video of the creator testing the “absolutely amazing” £1.60 product has gone viral on social media.
Meanwhile, homeowners need to be aware of a common mould mistake which could cost them £1,000.
