MOULD is often found in bathrooms where damp conditions help it to thrive.
Mildew spores may appear on the ceilings and walls as black, white or green patches.
Edward Jonkler from Remora Cleaning has shared his tips for cleaning mouldy tiles
The problem can grow in winter, with the dark and damps homes providing the ideal environment for mould to thrive.
If your grout gets cracked, water can seep in and cause damage, leading to mould and damp and replacing it can be expensive.
According to Checkatrade, the average cost of regrouting a bathroom is around £380, while tiling both floor and walls could mean a bill of more than £700.
The good news is, there are simple and cost-effective ways to keep your bathroom in tip-top condition and mould free and avoid a big bill.
We spoke to Edward Jonkler from Checkatrade member Remora Cleaning, for his top budget-friendly tips on the best ways to reduce the risk of mould and keep your tiles sparkling.
White vinegar
One of the best products to use to help prevent and remove mould is white vinegar, Edward said.
This is because it’s natural, unlike purpose-made mould removal chemicals which contain bleach.
While these sprays are effective at removing mould, they can also accelerate its growth, Edward told The Sun.
This is because bleach is made up of 90% water and mould thrives with moisture.
Edward said: “In order to combat mould in your bathroom, wipe down affected areas with white vinegar before using a damp cloth to scrub the surface until the area is clean.
“It’s important to dry the area well with a soft cloth to stop the mould from growing back.”
On Amazon, you can get your hands on a 5-litre bottle of white vinegar for around £6.
Or you could get a small 568ml bottle of white vinegar for just 35p from Aldi.
It always pays to compare prices so you know you’re getting the best deal, and remember to factor in the cost of delivery if you’re ordering online.
Prices can also vary day to day and by what deals are on at the time, plus remember you might pay for delivery if you’re ordering online.
You can compare prices on platforms like Google Shopping.
Improve airflow
Keeping the windows open is an excellent way to stop mould and condensation from infesting your home.
Edward said: “A lot of damp issues are the result of poor ventilation, so improving airflow in a home can be a big benefit.
“Opening windows on two opposite sides of a property for 20 minutes a day reduces humidity in the air by up to 10% and is an effective way to combat mould growth.”
Doing this in the morning and again in the evening before bed, is the most effective way to banish mould.
Heat your home
Keeping a warm home through the winter months is the best way to prevent mould from growing.
But with energy bills remaining stubbornly high, most families don’t want to keep the heating on for long periods of time.
Luckily, the temperature you need to keep your home at to avoid damp isn’t as high as you might think.
Edward said keeping it on low can be the best way to combat it.
He said: “Temperature also helps regulate moisture levels.
“Keeping your heating system ticking over and running at a low temperature will help combat condensation which is the most common cause of mould.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends you try to keep your home at 18 degrees or above if possible.
What if I already have mould in my home?
Many experts say that bleach is all you need if you neither own nor want to buy specialised cleaning sprays and paints.
If using bleach, mix four parts of water with one part bleach
You’ll also need a stiff brush, a bucket of water with cloth, and another cloth for drying
Apply your solution to the affected areas (including a few inches around visible mould to kill any mould not yet visible)
Scrub it firmly with a strong brush
Wait for as long as possible or until the mould completely disappears from sight and rinse the treated areas thoroughly.
Pat dry the area and allow it to completely dry before moving any furniture or placing items in front of the area.
Meanwhile, we spoke to a property pro to find out how to prevent mould in your home this winter.
Plus, we tried four tricks to get rid of condensation and mould and we were surprised by the results.
And we identified four mould hotspots around your home that you should check now.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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