Mould – Prevention is the best cure!!

Mould is a member of the fungi family and it is pretty much everywhere. Mould loves damp and humid conditions and low levels of light which is why you’ll notice bathrooms and laundry rooms are often where it makes an appearance.

Follow these simple steps to prevent mould growth:

Opening windows – is the number one tip for minimising excess moisture in rooms. Mould likes dark and damp conditions to grow, so open up your blinds and windows and let natural light and air circulate. If it is safe to do so keep the bathroom window open for at least 15 minutes after you turn the shower off so that excess moisture can move out of the room.

Improve ventilation – Indoor air quality is important for good health. Make sure you turn on your fan when running hot water, and/or keep a window open. Dust your fan effectively and regularly to ensure it’s working effectively. Run the exhaust fan in the bathroom for about 20 minutes after showering to draw the moisture out of the room.

Mop up excess water – After you take a shower, look around for areas in your bathroom where condensation has built up, like your shower screens and windows, and dry those areas to prevent moisture seeping into surfaces.
Tidy up your products – don’t keep bottles, toys or other items in the shower as they provide places for mould to grow.
Hang your bath towels to dry after using them – The damp fibres of towels and bath mats are perfect for harbouring mould spores. Wash towels and bath mats frequently.
Avoid harsh chemicals – fumes contribute to poor indoor air quality and their abrasive nature can damage your bathroom surfaces, making the surface more susceptible to mould growth.
Clean Regularly – Cleaning your bathroom regularly is key to preventing a mould problem.
Report plumbing leaks as soon as possible – YourPlace housing can arrange for repairs. Plumbing problems such as leaks or blockages can lead to a build-up of stagnant water in your house – perfect for mould.

How to Remove Mould

So, what do you do if you find a patch of mould in your house? Don’t panic. While there are numerous products out there for cleaning mould, many are loaded with harmful chemicals and allergens and should only be used as a last resort.

Instead, try homemade solutions. Surprisingly, the natural acids in white wine vinegar have been proven to be effective in removing certain household moulds, and safe to use when cleaning.

Pick up a bottle of the white stuff (vinegar) in any supermarket and put it into a spray bottle.
Spray it on the surface where mould is growing and scrub with a brush or sponge. If you are worried about vinegar irritating your skin, wear rubber gloves.
While vinegar fumes are not toxic, you might want to wear a mask to block the strong smell. Not only does it effectively remove mould, but cleaning your house with vinegar regularly will stop it growing back.
Let it sit for an hour or so.
Rinse the areas with water and let it dry completely.
Repeat if necessary.

If all else fails, bring in the big guns! Go to your local hardware store and ask about anti-mould products.

TIP

If you want to try and reduce humidity levels in your bathroom. A natural alternative includes adding a ‘dehumidifying’ plant, like a cactus, to your bathroom.

Air-Conditioner Cleaning

Reminder: Its time to clean your air-conditioner to keep it working at peak efficiency!

Clean your filter screens (located under front panel of internal wall unit) twice a year. Use a brush to remove dust or warm soapy water to dissolve grease build up.
Remove any litter or objects on or around the external unit(compressor and fan).