Mould isn’t just gross; it’s toxic and it can cause a slew of illnesses.

Mould is a fungal growth that thrives in damp and humid conditions and loves to grow in places that aren’t well-ventilated. Some of the most common places you’ll find it in the home is bathrooms and kitchens, plumbing pipes, cluttered storage areas or basements, anywhere that’s flooded and outdoor areas in humid environments. You should consider contacting a company like GCO Plumbing on the Sunshine Coast to come and check it out!

Your walls, timber, carpet, furniture and fabrics might be harbouring mould if they stay damp for extended periods of time. Telltale signs that you have mould are noticing a musty smell in the air, through to noticing damp spots and smudges on walls, and ceilings.

It’s A Health Hazard!

Mould plays havoc with existing illnesses like asthma and allergies and its presence in your home will delay the healing of wounds. It can cause cold and flu-like symptoms, irritate your eyes, cause rashes, sleep disturbances, affect your concentration and even disturb your menstrual cycle!

In some cases, toxic mould can bring about serious health issues, leading to neurological problems and even death. In 2009, actress Brittany Murphy died following exposure to toxic mould in her Hollywood home, and several months later, her husband, screenwriter Simon Monjack, met a similar fate.

Moulds are chock-full of common allergens and an estimated 40 per cent of people are sensitive to breathing in mould spores. The spores are microscopic “seeds” unable to be seen with the naked eye that allow mould colonies to produce. If you have a mould colony growing, millions of these spores can be produced each day, expelled into the air.

Other research into mould has found that there is even a link between living in a mouldy home and depression.

How To Get Rid Of It

Once you have established that you have a mould problem, you’ll need to get cleaning.

Many household cleaning products you’ve purchased from the supermarket are actually quite useless in the fight against mould. For example, bleach will look like it has done away with the mould, but all you’ve done is bleach the mould, you haven’t killed it.

Eradicate the mould as it occurs – you’ll find it much harder to remove after it has been hanging around for a while. Make sure you remove the mould physically so it doesn’t grow back.

One effective cleaning method is to make a solution that is 3% tea tree oil – or 2 teaspoons in a spray bottle with two cups of water. Shake well before use.

You can also kill surface mould with a solution made of 80% fermented vinegar. After you apply it, leave it for 20 minutes and then lightly sponge the area with clean water.

How To Prevent A Comeback

Getting rid of the mould is all good and well, but if you still have the same conditions that allowed the mould to take hold in the first place, guess what? That’s right, it’s only going to come back again.

Mould is a problem that happens because of moisture – so that’s what you’re going to need to manage to prevent a return.

Running a dehumidifier in your home and keeping the humidity level below 60 can help. Opening curtains and windows as often as possible, drying wet clothes outside and ensuring umbrellas, shoes and bags are dry before storing them in your house will also assist.

Clean your bathroom regularly, and if you have condensation in your home (where water forms on walls and windows), wipe these down often to keep them dry and prevent mould from forming.