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Experts say we should all start ‘burping’ our homes for 10 minutes a day as the weather shifts away from summer in autumn and winter. Burping your home is the process of opening the windows in your home for short bursts, usually for around 10 minutes at a time and Helen O’Connor, Product Manager at 247 Blinds has explained why we should all be doing it.
“Burping your home encourages the circulation of fresh air and prevents condensation – which in turn prevents the growth of mould. In addition to burping your room to prevent mould, it is also good for your well-being, helping to boost your mood and improve stress levels.
“Mould thrives in areas with high moisture and humidity paired with low air circulation – and will grow quickly in places where water is present or air is stagnant. Mould often becomes more of a problem when seasons change and homes are often not experiencing constant airflow from a heater, fan, or air conditioner.
“Single-glazed or draughty windows are often a problem area for mould and mildew growth due to factors such as condensation and dust. No window is exempt from condensation, especially in the winter months when we experience a lot of cold weather. Because of this your windows, blinds and curtains may be at risk of damage, as well as the walls and corners of your home. If you’re not letting your home breathe, you are cultivating an environment for mould to grow.”
Helen said: “Bathrooms are the most susceptible to mould growth due to the high moisture levels from steamy showers and baths – a condition in which mould spores thrive. Not only this, bathrooms often have poor ventilation to allow moisture to escape, especially in the winter when keeping windows wide open is not always an option. This can lead to mould on the walls and even on your blinds.”
Lisa Naegele, owner of cleaning company Mainland Housekeeping, has specific tips for reducing mould in the bathroom.
Use bleach
Lisa says: “Black mould seen on the surface of a wall is just a fraction of what’s underneath and usually requires the surface layer of the wall to be taken out for proper cleaning–otherwise the mould will just come back!
“My #1 product for removing surface mould is bleach! Scrubbing the area with standard bleach mixed with hot water is the best way to clean the surfaces, plus it’s usually under £1! Followed by proper air ventilation (opening windows, running bathroom fans, spreading shower curtains out flat, etc.) will allow you to easily remove surface mould at home.”
Leave your toilet seat up
“To remove and protect against mould in your bathroom, I recommend cleaning your bathroom at least once a week–wiping down and drying wet surfaces like faucets, bathtubs, sinks and shower curtains and scrubbing any existing mould with bleach.
“This coupled with good air circulation will ward off mould–for bathrooms that don’t get used often (garage bathrooms, etc.) I also recommend leaving toilet seats up to help promote airflow,” says Lisa.
Bathroom accessories can make damp worse
Helen shares her insight on interiors to avoid having in the bathroom to reduce mould: “When the wrong materials and surfaces are used in the bathroom, this can exacerbate mould issues. Absorbent fabrics and untreated wood in particular can be problematic.
“Plants will add to moisture in a bathroom so if you are struggling with damp then you might want to remove these. Wooden bath trays can also exacerbate dampness if they aren’t left to dry properly between uses.
“Bath towels and mats will absorb excess moisture in the air so ensure you are drying them thoroughly after each use, even if this means removing them from the bathroom.”
Don’t forget to check in cupboards
“Enclosed spaces like cupboards can be susceptible to mould and damp as airflow is often minimal. If there is a musty smell coming from the cabinets and cupboards in the bathroom you wipe it down with a simple disinfectant. A cheap option is to use water and lemon juice as it’s a natural disinfectant and cleans its contents thoroughly. Then add some moisture-absorbing bags whilst also tackling the wider issue in your bathroom.” says Helen.
