How to prevent mold

Mold occurs in damp areas, such as your bathroom. It's a sign of moisture problems and insufficient fresh air. For your health, it's important to prevent mold in your home.

Is mold unhealthy?

Yes, moisture and mold are unhealthy for your health. House dust mites and other pests thrive in humid conditions. Moisture can also affect your breathing and may lead to a sore throat, shortness of breath, or headaches. If you have asthma or respiratory problems, symptoms can worsen. Mold spreads quickly, so doing nothing usually makes the problem worse. Prevention is key.

Recognizing mold

You can recognize mold by black or dark deposits on walls, ceilings, or joints. Mold spreads through tiny spores that float through the air and enter homes via open windows or doors. These spores need moisture to grow. Anywhere in the home that stays damp for a long time can develop mold. Common places include the bathroom, shower, meter cupboard, kitchen, and bedroom.

Signs of too much moisture in your home include a musty smell, laundry that dries slowly, loose plaster, condensation on windows, and silverfish. Plants can also be indicators. If a room is too dry due to heating, a plant may lose moisture faster than its roots can absorb it, causing brown edges or curled leaves.

Tips to prevent mold

It’s important to identify the cause of mold. Not only can it affect your health, but it can also damage your home. Mold does not disappear on its own. If left untreated, it spreads quickly and may cause plaster or paint to loosen. Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent mold.

• Ventilate your home
  Always leave the ventilation vents open. Don’t have vents? Open your windows wide for 5 to 10 minutes to fully refresh the air. Do this at least once a day and always after showering or cooking. Keep the bathroom door closed while showering to stop moist air from spreading. In the US, people call this house burping. In Germany, it’s known as lüften.
  
  
• Dry walls and floors after showering
  Heat your bathroom and dry shower screens, tiles, and corners after use. This helps prevent moisture from lingering.
  
  
• Heat your home
  Keep your thermostat set to at least 15°C. Warm air holds moisture better and helps remove it through ventilation.
  
  
• Clean regularly
  Mold attaches easily to limescale and dirt. Clean tiles, grout, joints, and seams in wet areas on a regular basis.
  
  
• Use a moisture absorber
  A moisture absorber collects excess moisture from the air and can help in smaller spaces like bathrooms or cupboards. You can buy one at home and garden stores such as Blokker.
  
  
• Remove mold as soon as you see it
  If mold appears, act quickly. Mix baking soda with hot water and clean the area with a cloth. Dry the surface well and ventilate the room afterwards.
  
  

Are you seeing mold in several areas of your home, or does the problem keep coming back even though you ventilate regularly? Send us a support ticket so we can help you find and solve the cause.