How to fight mould at home this winter as nearly half of Brits admit cost of living crisis causing rise
Winter is an inhospitable time of year, with cold and wet conditions outside and occasionally inside too. With energy bills so high and families trying to avoid using heating you may encounter problems with damp and mould soon, but there are ways to fight this.
According to household damp specialists at Peter Cox, three in ten Brits currently report having mould in their home and nearly half (47 per cent) have experienced mould in their property in the past year, according to new research.
Significantly, 43 per cent of those with mould in the past year say it was the first time they had experienced it, and a further 27 per cent say their mould problem has worsened in the past 12 months, and the reason could potentially be down to high energy bills.
There are ways to both prevent and fight existing mould
Nicholas Donnithorne, UK Technical services manager at Peter Cox, said: “The data shows a strong correlation between Brits making an effort to reduce ventilation in their homes in a bid to save energy and a spike in instances of mould.
“We understand it can feel like a catch-22; we all want to find ways to keep our energy bills down over the colder months, but trapping the warm moist air inside can inadvertently cause issues with mould later down the line. Mould not only looks unsightly but can have implications for our health.
“Some simple steps can help decrease the risk of mould – for example, investing in a dehumidifier to reduce moisture in the air, without the need to open a window. But if the issue persists, damp will rarely ‘sort itself out’ so it is imperative to get professional help rather than just painting over it.”
To help you pick out the best deals on gadgets that will help fight any mould issues you’re having, we’ve put together some of the best offers below:
Dehumidifier deals:
The ANSIO dehumidifier that comes in a pack of 10 from Amazon
ANSIO dehumidifier – £12.45 for 10
Cheapest of all the options you could go for, the ANSIO dehumidifier is a pot you leave on the side, which sucks up to ‘three times its own weight in water’.
The 500ml tubs are currently on offer at £12.45 for a pack of 10, which works out to £1.25 per tub. This is cheaper than getting them through eBay, where the same costs £17.44. They also offer the in packs of five (£9.49), 20 (£24.97), 40 (£49.98), 80 (£94.97) and 120 (£149.97).
You can learn more about this product in our full article here.
The Pro Breeze dehumidifier standing on a table next to a potted plant and a stack of books
Pro Breeze Dehumidifier – £33.74
The Pro Breeze Dehumidifier currently costs £33.74. The same dehumidifier is available for £34.99 directly from Pro Breeze themselves and for £35 on eBay.
Pro Breeze’s dehumidifier removes up to 250ml of moisture from the air per day, and has a 500ml water tank. It uses thermo-electric Peltier technology, which Pro Breeze says makes their item ‘whisper quiet’.
The manufacturer adds that the running cost of the compact dehumidifier is as little as 1p per hour. According to the Centre for Sustainable Energy, a dehumidifier costs, on average, 17p per hour to run.
These hanging dehumidifiers are just £14.49 for a pack of 12
151 Products Hanging Wardrobe Dehumidfier – £14.49 for 12
This particular dehumidifier is perfect for stopping anything nasty happening to your clothes if things are getting a bit damp at home, these are a nice and cheap solution at just £14.49 for a pack of 12 on Amazon. You can also find a three pack of the Hanging Dehumidifier for £5.99 on eBay.
The product has a 4.6 out of five stars from 2,730 ratings, with one reviewer writing: “My 2nd purchase of these. They work really well and hold a lot of water. Great value for your money. Would highly recommend.”
Mould sprays
Three bottles of Dettol anti mould spray
Dettol Mould and Mildew Remover – £9.99 for pack of 3
You can get a three-pack on Amazon for £9.99 or a single on Tesco for £3.50. Make sure you follow the instructions with this one as it contains bleach, but all you need to do is spray on the affected area, wait, and rub it off.
According to our own reviewer this spray ‘works like magic’ with the mould wiping away without a spot of trouble after using the stuff.
These 750ml mould removing sprays are £9.99 for a pack of three
Cillit Bang Power Cleaner Black Mould Remover – £9.99 for pack of 3
A similar story to the Dettol spray, this product works by applying onto the affected area and then waiting a while before effortlessly wiping away.
Right now you can get three of the 750ml bottles for just £9.99 on Amazon, down 5 per cent at the moment from its regular price.
To see all the best Deals, Sales and Bargains in London, check out our Facebook group.