Tackle damp and mould at the cause
Mould grows where moisture collects; air the home every day, keep rooms above 15 °C, fix leaks, rising damp and cold spots quickly, and remove mould without bleach.
Do it yourself
Sources checked on .
Mould needs moisture. Let fresh air in and moist air out every day. Cook with a lid on the pan, use the extractor hood, and dry laundry outside or in a dryer. Keep rooms above 15 °C and avoid big temperature differences and cold walls, so condensation doesn't form. In winter, indoor humidity between 40 and 60% is a good range.
Some damp comes from the building itself: water rising from the ground into the wall, leaks in a gutter or pipe, rain seeping in, or cold spots (cold bridges) where moisture collects. Fix these as soon as you can.
You can remove mould yourself with gloves and a mask, but avoid bleach. Don't do it yourself if you have breathing problems or a mould allergy. As long as the material stays damp, the mould will come back, so if it keeps returning, call in a professional.
Details
| Impact | Indirect · This saves no energy by itself: it is a rule, a service, a contract, or a health or safety item. How we rate impact |
|---|---|
| Estimated saving | About health rather than energy; the sources don't quantify savings. (confidence: low) |
| Who acts | You and your landlord |
| Needs landlord's agreement | No |
| Type | Action |
| Constant or subject to change | Constant · Good practice that barely changes with new laws, prices or services. |
Do this together with
Sources
- Zorg elke dag voor verse lucht in je huis (in Dutch) · Departement Zorg (Vlaamse overheid) (official source) · checked on
- Weg met schimmel. Hoe verwijder je schimmel? (in Dutch) · Departement Zorg (Vlaamse overheid) (official source) · checked on