Households across every part of the country are being urged to throw open their windows twice a day this month, even during freezing cold weather.
It might sound counterintuitive at a time when we’re all battling higher energy bills and trying to keep our houses warm, the cold out and the heat in.
But opening the windows twice a day is vital to battle a common problem in the colder winter months: mould.
Bathroom and kitchen experts at Drench are now advising households that they must open their windows twice daily even in the colder months to make sure fresh air can circulate into the house and reduce the chances of mould, damp and mildew.
These mould spores caused by excess moisture can have devastating effects on both your health and your property.
Left unchecked, mould can damage your home’s walls, rot your joists and spread to carpets, clothing and furniture.
Not only that, but mould and mildew spores can also cause infections, coughs and ill health for us too.
Drench’s Nancy Emery said: “The UK’s wet weather means mould is a common complaint for homes. Whether the unsightly slime of black mould in your bathroom or blue and green mould on walls, the presence of any mould in your home can be dangerous.
“It may seem counterproductive to open your windows in cold or wet weather, but it is essential to stop mould growth.
“Cracking open windows a couple of times a day, especially after showering, bathing or cooking, is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to help moisture escape.
“Mould thrives in warm and wet environments. So, it is especially important to increase ventilation in the colder months, when prolonged time spent indoors can result in heat building up from our central heating, bodies and breath.”
She added that wiping down surfaces is also essential in winter: “Up to 75% of moisture, which will lead to mould, can be eliminated by wiping down wet surfaces immediately.
“Any surface that collects water, for instance around the kitchen sink after washing up, or on the bathroom tiles and floors after getting out of the shower, should be wiped down after use.
“Accumulated water on tiles, no matter the room, can get into the grout and silicone, which is where a build-up of mould is likely to develop.”
And for those drying clothes, she echoed Martin Lewis’s advice about dehumidifiers, urging households to consider one to collect moisture from wet laundry before it has the chance to turn into mould.
She added: “In rooms with heavy use, like your bathroom, living room, kitchen and bedroom, it may be a good idea to use dehumidifiers. There are a range of types available, from more expensive heavy-duty appliances to everyday affordable options that can be found in supermarkets and home retailers.”
