I’ve tried every product to remove mold – a £1 purchase on Amazon was a lifesaver
FOR millions of households around the world, the arrival of autumn brings with it the same dreaded problem: the annual return of mold.
Long-term exposure to mold can cause respiratory disease, allergies and asthma, and can sometimes be fatal, with newborns, young children and the elderly being among the most vulnerable.
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According to Homebrite, the problem is huge in Britain, with an astronomical 58 percent of private rented households reporting problems with deadly mold.
As temperatures slowly drop, hundreds of Brits have taken to social media to seek advice and share their top tips for tackling mold.
One Facebook user Louise Clements shared her woes DIY on a budget after encountering black spots all along her ceiling.
Desperate for a solution, she wrote in the after: ”I’m starting to notice mold on my ceiling in my apartment.
”I’ve tried every molding product and paint product there is.
“I keep my vents open to get rid of it.”
According to Louise, who says she has not yet turned up the heating, none of the methods have worked.
”I didn’t have the heating on at all. Are there any recommendations for this?
“I contacted my landlord, but they told me to continue using mold products, but it doesn’t help.”
Luckily for the woman, who also shared several photos of the mold-infested ceiling, the post was quickly flooded with numerous comments.
Dozens of helpful members of the group gathered to share their best remedies, as well as guesses about why the fungus was there in the first place.
One suggested: ”The mold in the ceiling is probably due to condensation.
“It helps to leave the vents open, but there is still a temperature difference between the room and the attic space, which causes condensation.”
Another said: ‘Use straight bleach on a paintbrush. The cheap thin stuff is the best.”
What is mold and how do you get rid of it?
Mold is likely to grow during the winter months.
Olivia Young, product development scientist at Amaze revealed exactly why this is.
“Unfortunately, mold is a common problem that many people face in the winter. Mold thrives in warm and moist conditions, so your bathroom is probably the most affected area.
“That said, most rooms in your home can be vulnerable to mold growth during the colder months.
“This is mainly due to condensation that builds up on your windows when you have radiators on.
“If you think about it, if the windows and doors are closed, there isn’t much chance for the air to circulate and for the moisture to come out quickly.
“This buildup is the cause of the dreaded mold, especially in bathrooms, as it creates a warm and wet environment that is a breeding ground for mold.
“If left untreated, it is not only unsightly, but can also pose a serious risk to your health, so it is very important that you treat it.
“The key to tackling mold is to act quickly.
“Try to come into contact with it as little as possible. So grab your gloves, tie your hair and get to work removing any signs of mold as soon as you notice them.
“To keep mold at bay, there are some simple solutions you can apply throughout your home.
“The first is to keep the bathroom ventilated. Yes, even in the cold winter months, try leaving your bathroom window open for at least 10 to 15 minutes after showering or bathing. This will quickly remove excess moisture and prevent mold from forming.
“If you have repeated problems with mold in a particular room, it may be that the humidity is too high. You can purchase a dehumidifier which will keep levels down and reduce the risk of mold returning.
“The golden rule to remember when dealing with mold is: the sooner you can treat it, the better. Leaving it alone will only make it worse, so never ignore it!
“To successfully get rid of mold every time, I recommend opting for the UK’s number 1 mold and mildew removerthat effectively removes mold and mildew stains almost immediately, without scrubbing.”
However, there was one recommendation that was more popular than any other: using a dehumidifier.
A dehumidifier is a winter staple for many and works ”by sucking air from the room through a coil that is cooled to a very low temperature by a cooling system”, the benefits explained on Breathing space.
The water vapor then condenses on the cold surface and the water drips into the collection bucket below.
Plus, while there are plenty of options on the high street, money-savvy Facebook users revealed there’s no need to spend a big sum on this cold-weather must-have.
Best budget dehumidifier
A thrifty member of the page shared a photo of the ANSIO Dehumidifier, 500ml, Pack of 10 Condensation Removing Moisture Absorbing Dehumidifiers and wrote: ”I’ve read so much about how great these are when bought straight from Amazon.”
The mini bargain, which currently retails for £12.98, comes with ten dehumidifiers, which works out to just over £1 each.
The plastic tubs are designed to resist condensation and contain unique hydrophilic crystals specially formulated to draw and retain moisture from the air.
Not only do the containers help combat condensation, damp areas, airborne allergens, mold and mildew, but customer favorite dehumidifiers also neutralize odors.
The tubs absorb up to 3x their weight in water and are portable and easy to move depending on your needs.
With over a whopping 43,000 positive reviews online, it’s easy to see why this ten-pack has become essential for many.
One satisfied customer rated the product with five stars and said: ”Small and unobtrusive. Works well in a garden shed.
Another raved about the bargain find, writing: ‘Although these dehumidifiers are small, they can be placed in awkward places such as under the sink, near the toilet, in the garden shed.
“I have used these Ansio dehumidifiers before and they removed a lot of moisture from the atmosphere when left in place for about a week.”
While the feedback was mostly positive, there was also some criticism, with one disappointed customer saying: ”It hasn’t absorbed any moisture so far.
“I have an extremely humid environment and after a week it still hasn’t done anything.”
