Habit you should do every morning to 'control humidity' and prevent mould

21 October 2023 , 05:00

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Condensation and the associated humidity can cause mould in your home. (Stock Photo) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The temperature is dropping and the winter months fast approaching, which means that you understandably won't be as keen to keep your windows open for extended periods of time. However this can also mean the likelihood of mould growing in your home increases, because there is less air circulation and humidity from things like the shower gets trapped inside.

Mould brings with it a myriad of health risks and it can even cause structural damage to your home if it is not treated, so nipping it in the bud is essential. However, an expert has advised that this can actually be incredibly easy, simply by adding one habit into your morning routine.

To minimise humidity in your home and prevent mould growth, the experts from MeandMyGlass.co.uk advise putting your heating on for a 20-minute blast each morning. "Putting the heating on for around 20 minutes in the morning can help control the humidity in the room. Open the windows first to get a healthy airflow going, then put the heating on to stop the windows from steaming up."

During the winter the air outside is colder than the air inside your home, so condensation can build up on your windows. This dampness can lead to mould growth, so John Cutts, glass expert from the company explains: "It's common for people to find their windows have steamed up overnight which often results in a damp windowsill. While condensation may not seem like an issue, it can become a serious problem once mould growth starts to happen which can easily spread across the room."

The expert advises, "taking time in the morning to wipe condensation off windows, opening them up to allow for more ventilation and sealing any window cracks which could be making the issue worse." If a lot of condensation is building up on your windows, they also recommend wiping it down in the morning with paper towels or purchasing plants like orchids that are known to reduce moisture in the air.

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Mould can cause problems for your health, so condensation and the associated humidity are issues that need tackling quickly. If left to grow, mould can impact your immune system, increase the likelihood of respiratory problems and asthma and even cause allergic reactions in some people. Those more likely to impacted include babies and young children and elderly people - as well as people with existing lung problems or atopic eczema and people who have weak immune systems, according to the NHS.

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Emma Mackenzie