Weather experts are saying that there could be several wet months ahead, so us Aussies should brace ourselves as persistent rain is set to continue for much longer, and we all know that with this relentless rainfall and high humidity, comes a much-dreaded home visitor – mould.

Just like a virus or a bacteria, mould is a microorganism that can cause several health effects. For some people, contact with mould can cause minor ailments such as a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or even a skin rash.

However, people with asthma or an allergy to mould may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung disease may also get infections in their lungs from inhaling mould.

And since mould can grow in any place where there is moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been a flood, it’s important to keep our homes as clean and mould-free as we can.

Here are the things you should know.

If mould is growing in your home, you need to clean up the mould and fix the moisture problem. Credit: Better Homes and Gardening.
​

Here at the SDC, we believe that prevention is better than cure, or in this case, removal.

To keep your home dry and free of mould, make sure that you:

• Increase ventilation and air circulation in your rooms using fans, or you can keep your windows open if there are no heavy rains or strong winds
• When cooking, bathing or drying laundry, use an extractor or exhaust fan to remove excess moisture in the air
• Use a dehumidifier or an air conditioner to keep humidity levels low
• Clean condensation from inner windows
• Fix leaks, including roofs and walls as well as plumbed appliances such as dishwashers
• After a flood, make sure that you clean up and dry out your home fully and quickly (at least within 24 to 48 hours)

However, we also understand that mould can get out of control quickly and there are times that it cannot be prevented.

Mould can look like spots that come in many different colours, most commonly dark brown or greenish. It can also smell musty. Yuck!

That’s why once you see or smell mould in your home, you should remove it right away. But before you get to scrubbing, you must understand that clearing mould isn’t as simple as a regular cleaning session; some precautions are required.

To avoid breathing in mould spores, we advise wearing a face mask. And since mould can also cause eye irritation and inflammation, it’s also crucial to wear protective goggles. Oh and don’t forget the gloves!

You must also ensure the area is as well ventilated as possible — opening the doors and windows can help. Once the cleaning is over, place all your tools inside a plastic bag and close it, and discard them immediately. It is very important you do not re-use the cleaning tools you used to get rid of the mould in the first place - like sponges, rags etc.

We have collated a bunch of tips from experts on how to best clean your home that is mould-infested.

Please note: There are times when mould can be so bad you must leave the cleaning to a professional. If you’re ever unsure you can take a photograph of the area affected by mould and send it to a professional cleaner. The most dangerous mould to avoid is ‘black’ mould.

Start by sorting mouldy items into three groups – non-porous (hard plastics, wood, steel), semi-porous (walls and surfaces) and super-porous (clothes, carpet, paper, furniture).

Unfortunately, anything that is super-porous and covered in mould should be thrown out immediately – it’ll be hard to restore them unless you have them professionally cleaned.

Others may recommend using bleach to remove mould, but it has already been proven that harsh chemicals such as bleach and ammonia aren’t effective in removing mould. Instead, they only “cover” the colour of the mould, giving the illusion of a mould-free surface.

Vinegar is a natural and non-toxic remedy that will penetrate deep inside the mould areas and prevent their growth. Credit: MedicineNet.​

To clean the remaining mouldy items, you can use this vinegar solution:

1. Pour a concentration of 80% vinegar to 20% water into three buckets
2. Grab a microfibre cloth, dip it into the first bucket and clean a patch of mould
3. Rinse the cloth in the second bucket, and rinse again in the third
4. Repeat until all mould is cleaned off
5. Wipe areas with a dry microfibre cloth when finished

Stay safe and dry, members! And if you know any other safe and effective ways of cleaning mould, post them in the comments below.

 

[MarieT]

G

Tips and Tricks for a Mould-Free Home​

Weather experts are saying that there could be several wet months ahead, so us Aussies should brace ourselves as persistent rain is set to continue for much longer, and we all know that with this relentless rainfall and high humidity, comes a much-dreaded home visitor – mould.

​

Just like a virus or a bacteria, mould is a microorganism that can cause several health effects. For some people, contact with mould can cause minor ailments such as a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or even a skin rash.

However, people with asthma or an allergy to mould may have more severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung disease may also get infections in their lungs from inhaling mould.

And since mould can grow in any place where there is moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, or pipes, or where there has been a flood, it’s important to keep our homes as clean and mould-free as we can.

Here are the things you should know.

If mould is growing in your home, you need to clean up the mould and fix the moisture problem. Credit: Better Homes and Gardening.
​

Here at the SDC, we believe that prevention is better than cure, or in this case, removal.

To keep your home dry and free of mould, make sure that you:

• Increase ventilation and air circulation in your rooms using fans, or you can keep your windows open if there are no heavy rains or strong winds
• When cooking, bathing or drying laundry, use an extractor or exhaust fan to remove excess moisture in the air
• Use a dehumidifier or an air conditioner to keep humidity levels low
• Clean condensation from inner windows
• Fix leaks, including roofs and walls as well as plumbed appliances such as dishwashers
• After a flood, make sure that you clean up and dry out your home fully and quickly (at least within 24 to 48 hours)

​

However, we also understand that mould can get out of control quickly and there are times that it cannot be prevented.

Mould can look like spots that come in many different colours, most commonly dark brown or greenish. It can also smell musty. Yuck!

That’s why once you see or smell mould in your home, you should remove it right away. But before you get to scrubbing, you must understand that clearing mould isn’t as simple as a regular cleaning session; some precautions are required.

To avoid breathing in mould spores, we advise wearing a face mask. And since mould can also cause eye irritation and inflammation, it’s also crucial to wear protective goggles. Oh and don’t forget the gloves!

You must also ensure the area is as well ventilated as possible — opening the doors and windows can help. Once the cleaning is over, place all your tools inside a plastic bag and close it, and discard them immediately. It is very important you do not re-use the cleaning tools you used to get rid of the mould in the first place - like sponges, rags etc.

​

We have collated a bunch of tips from experts on how to best clean your home that is mould-infested.

Please note: There are times when mould can be so bad you must leave the cleaning to a professional. If you’re ever unsure you can take a photograph of the area affected by mould and send it to a professional cleaner. The most dangerous mould to avoid is ‘black’ mould.

Start by sorting mouldy items into three groups – non-porous (hard plastics, wood, steel), semi-porous (walls and surfaces) and super-porous (clothes, carpet, paper, furniture).

Unfortunately, anything that is super-porous and covered in mould should be thrown out immediately – it’ll be hard to restore them unless you have them professionally cleaned.

Others may recommend using bleach to remove mould, but it has already been proven that harsh chemicals such as bleach and ammonia aren’t effective in removing mould. Instead, they only “cover” the colour of the mould, giving the illusion of a mould-free surface.

Vinegar is a natural and non-toxic remedy that will penetrate deep inside the mould areas and prevent their growth. Credit: MedicineNet.​

To clean the remaining mouldy items, you can use this vinegar solution:

1. Pour a concentration of 80% vinegar to 20% water into three buckets
2. Grab a microfibre cloth, dip it into the first bucket and clean a patch of mould
3. Rinse the cloth in the second bucket, and rinse again in the third
4. Repeat until all mould is cleaned off
5. Wipe areas with a dry microfibre cloth when finished

Stay safe and dry, members! And if you know any other safe and effective ways of cleaning mould, post them in the comments below.

good old vinegar. A must in the house.