Everyday actions can create moisture in your home...here’s some tips to help reduce moisture in your home.
Wipe down surfaces
Wiping down areas where you notice condensation forming will remove dampness and stop mould growth. Start with a dry cloth and wring it out in-between.
Drying your clothes
If possible, dry your clothes outside. If you need to dry your clothes inside, you can help to reduce condensation by hanging your clothes on a drying rack in a cool room with a window open, while keeping the door closed.
Drying clothes on radiators can cause a large amount of condensation and stop radiators from working properly. This can leave your home feeling cooler and increase heating bills.
Did you know? Drying clothes indoors can create 5 litres of moisture, equal to 20 cups of tea.
Reducing shower and bath time moisture
Turning cold water on first, then adding hot water, can reduce the amount of steam in your bathroom. If you have an extractor fan, turn it on. Opening a window and wiping down tiles after showering or bathing also helps. Keep your bathroom door closed to stop moist air travelling to other areas of your home.
Did you know? Steam from showering/bathing can create 1 litre of moisture, equal to 4 cups of tea.
Keep your heating on low
In colder months, make sure all rooms receive a low level of heat during the day, if possible. Cold rooms which receive only a short burst of high heat each day can be badly affected by condensation.
Open windows
Open your windows for a few minutes each day to allow a change of air. Ideally have your doors open whilst you do this to increase the movement of air in the home. If possible and safe to do so, open your bedroom window slightly at night. Also, open windows slightly if you have a lot of people, pets or plants in a room.
Cook with lids on
Covering pans while you’re cooking will reduce the amount of steam and moisture that escapes into the air. Keep your kitchen door closed, if you have one, so that moisture doesn’t get into other rooms. If you can, open windows or use an extractor fan during and after cooking to help ventilate your kitchen.
Did you know? Steam from cooking can create 3 litres of moisture, equal to 12 cups of tea.
Treating mould
- Wipe away black spots of mould with a domestic anti-fungal wash. You can get these from DIY shops and supermarkets. * Do not brush or vacuum the surface as this may spread the mould.
- After treating the area, we recommend redecorating using a fungicidal paint to stop the mould coming back. *
- If you see moisture on your walls and windows, wipe them with a dry cloth and wring out the cloth rather than drying it on a radiator to prevent sending moisture back into the air.
- Open the windows slightly, if possible, to allow air to flow.
*Always check the manufacturer's guidance before using any product.
If you are an A2Dominion tenant and are unable to treat the area, please let us know as soon as possible.
Following a mould wash in your home:
If our operatives have undertaken a mould wash in your home, please take the following steps for health and safety reasons:
- Keep the area well ventilated and don’t use it for 30 minutes. This will allow time for the products to dissipate.
- Don’t touch any of the surfaces which have treated for at least 30 minutes after the works are completed.
- In the unlikely event you experience any signs of irritation caused by the chemicals used in the mould wash, please seek medical attention.
Some problems with damp and mould are due to underlying issues. If that’s the case, please contact us.
Please see the following articles for further information:
- What is condensation, damp and mould?
- How do I report a problem with damp and mould?
- A2Dominion’s response to the regulator on damp and mould
For further information, please see our Damp and mould policy.