Preventing mould: How to prevent it from occurring in the first place

You should always prevent mould, as the fungus is dangerous to your health. To prevent mould from developing in the first place, some measures, such as ventilation, are particularly important. In this article, we explain what you need to know about this.

Prevent mould with the right air humidity

To prevent mould from forming in the first place, you need to take the right measures. This works through proper ventilation as well as indoor humidity.

• To prevent mould from developing in your flat or house, you need to pay attention to the right humidity. It is best to get a hydrometer so that you can check the humidity.

• The ideal indoor humidity is 40 to 60 percent. If the humidity is more or less than 40 to 60 per cent, you must compensate for the value by ventilating. This is because the higher the humidity, the more likely it is that mould will grow in the home.

• Therefore, ventilate at least twice a day. There should also be a draught so that the humid air can be blown out of the room.

• The newer your windows and doors are, the tighter they seal the interior. Therefore, especially in newer homes and with replaced windows, make sure that you ventilate well to exchange the air.

• Tip: If you have discovered mould on a wall or ceiling, remove it as soon as possible. This is important to prevent the fungus from spreading further. Hydrogen peroxide can help you with this in the first place.

Take further preventive measures

If you want to prevent mould, it’s not just a matter of airing the room and maintaining the right humidity. The following measures should also be taken as a precaution so that mould doesn’t stand a chance.

• Open the windows in the bathroom as soon as you have finished bathing or showering. The longer the moist air stays in the room, the more likely mould is to grow.

• Heat indoor rooms in winter. Even unoccupied rooms should be lightly heated. If you don’t do this, the cold air will collect and condense as soon as the weather gets warmer. This leads to mould growth just as much.

• If you cannot heat some rooms even in winter, then close doors and windows so that as little air as possible can get into the rooms.

• Do not place your furniture close to the outside walls. The smaller the gap, the more likely it is that moisture will accumulate there and lead to mould growth.

• If you discover mould on a cupboard or upholstery, then no anti-mould agents will usually help. This is because the fungus gets inside the material and cannot be removed. In this case, dispose of the affected furniture. If you remove the mould, it can only be removed superficially. After some time, this would lead to mould growth again, which could also spread to other furniture.