How To Clean Mould Off Wicker Baskets

What's the best way to get rid of mould? Mould and damp is caused by a build-up of water and excess moisture, but to avoid getting it, you need to try to reduce the amount of water the house is producing, or that is trapped inside the building. It could be as simple as opening windows regularly to let excess moisture escape, avoiding drying your laundry inside, and ensuring wetter rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens are properly ventilated.

Mould can cause serious health problems, including respiratory infections and asthma, so it's vital it's avoided, or removed, as quickly as possible. For renters, a new legislation now enables tenants to sue landlords for mould that is caused by inadequate ventilation or structural issues. It's always important to ensure houses are watertight. Here are six top tips on how to stop mould in its tracks:

1. Put a lid on it

To help reduce the moisture content in the kitchen, make sure when you're using saucepans, you are using lids. This prevents the steam escaping into the room. Regularly open windows to get fresh air in and let the steam escape and use the extractor fan when cooking.

2. Air-dry your laundry

If you plan to dry laundry inside, make sure windows are open and there's a steady stream of air. Alternatively, use a dryer or hang laundry outside to remove the worst of the water. If your clothes do go mouldy, you will tell by the smell and will see mould growing on them. In this case, they should be either thrown away or professionally dry cleaned. This will kill the mould spores.

3. Turn the bathroom fan on

Ventilation is key to keeping a bathroom dry. Ensure whenever you have a shower or bath there is a window open, or a fan is on. This will draw any steam out of the room and your house. Also ensure that any uneven areas where water can collect are dried regularly. Pay special attention to the sealant around baths, showers and toilets.

4. Spray away

There are several mould and mildew sprays available which will help clear the top of mould off. Do this regularly, however, if there is a spot which is particularly prone to mould it may need to be expertly cleaned. You should use a cloth to wipe the mould – take care not to brush it as this will release mould spores which can then collect elsewhere.

5. Soaked in bleach

A watered-down bleach solution is a good way to remove any mould growing on white surfaces, such as in the bathroom. If after scrubbing this doesn't have much of an effect, you can soak some cotton pads in bleach and leave them on the affected area overnight. Take care to ensure it doesn't touch any potentially corrosive areas. When you remove the cotton wool, the bleach should have removed the mould.

6. Wash your walls

If there is a particularly bad patch of mould on walls, which can be quite common on outside walls if the building isn't airtight, a mould wash concentrate – similar to the spray – should be used. This needs to be painted onto the wall and left. If after a few times this process doesn't work, it's time to get the professionals in. Painting over the problem will mean that it will continue to come back.

h/t: NetVoucherCodes.co.uk

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Ruth Doherty Ruth is an experienced freelance digital writer and editor, covering everything from travel and interiors to fashion and beauty.

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