As the weather gets colder, there are a number of mistakes you may be making that will allow mould to thrive in your property – and it’s all to do with the change in seasons.
As autumn officially kicks off on September 22, it’s time to gear up for the chillier days ahead. While we naturally bring plants indoors and tweak our heating systems, there are common blunders that could inadvertently turn your home into a mould haven.
Dale Smith, Founder of Fence Guru, warns: “Most people don’t realise that their well-intentioned autumn habits could actually create the perfect environment for mould to thrive. The combination of increased moisture and reduced airflow that comes with cooler weather means we need to be extra careful about how we manage our homes during this transition period.”
He points out that leaving wet boots, coats and umbrellas inside is one such habit. With autumn likely to usher in more rain, we’ll often find ourselves dealing with soggy clothing and accessories.
Yet, if these damp items are left to dry in confined spaces like hallways or cupboards, they can generate areas of high humidity. This excess moisture can then become a breeding ground for mould, which may spread throughout the property.
Dale observes: “I’ve seen mould problems start in entrance areas where families consistently leave wet gear. It spreads from there into the rest of the home through air circulation.”
To combat this, he recommends setting up a specific drying zone with ample ventilation, ideally close to an outside door or window that can be opened now and then.
And this isn’t the only blunder that can lead to mould development; Dale emphasises the importance of proper garden and plant care, as mistakes here can prove detrimental to the home.
When raking leaves to tidy the garden, many people will leave heaps of damp leaves against the exterior walls of their property. However, this will create a moisture barrier against your wall that will seep through gaps and create the ideal breeding ground for mould.
Instead, leaf piles should be positioned at least two metres away from your home’s foundation, or better yet, compost them in a designated area away from the house.
Similarly, when temperatures plummet, many people will bring some of their outdoor plants inside during the colder months. However, instead of adjusting their watering routine, they will water the plants as though they are outdoors.
Once your plants have been relocated indoors they actually require less watering as the conditions are different, and overwatering is another error that can lead to mould growth in the home.
Another issue Dale recognises is that people frequently hang laundry up to dry in poorly ventilated spaces. He says: “Drying clothes indoors releases significant amounts of moisture into the air – up to two litres per load.
“Without proper ventilation, this moisture gets trapped, creating humidity levels that encourage mould growth on walls, ceilings, and stored items.”
He further cautions that the issue escalates when several loads are dried one after the other, as moisture levels accumulate quicker than the area can naturally dry out.