Does your baby have a lingering cough or cold? Does your partner suffer from headaches and discomfort? Do you feel tired all the time? They could all be indications of a more serious issue- mould. Mould spores breed in high humidity conditions and damp.
When there’s a lot of moisture content, in the bathrooms or because of seeping water, this fungus finds a way to flourish. You are likely to find it on constantly wet floors and walls as in the case of a shower, pipes that leak, basements that are more prone to damp and even on windows and roofs exposed to the elements.
An easy way to find if your house has mould is by using your sense of smell-black mould smells like rotten foliage and like mud. A damp smell or a musty, unaired smell can also be an indication of mould. To get rid of mould, you need to get rid of excess moisture and the damp.
The easiest way to absorb damp is through a dehumidifier. Before you invest in an expensive dehumidifier, look at some home remedies to tackle the issue.
- Open the windows- ventilation is the enemy of damp. Open the windows of the house for a few hours each day. Better still, invest in a good mesh and let the breeze flow through the living space. Fresh air is the best way to absorb damp. It goes without saying that the bathroom is one of the key areas for damp. Keep it well-ventilated. Invest in a good exhaust fan to help the process even further. Wipeup the water when you’re done using the bathroom.
- Use an old cloth and mop up- damp is in essence, water and can be quickly absorbed using an old cloth. Wipe down all wet surfaces- floors, cabinets, buckets and bathroom floor, metal furniture, interiors of white goods (refrigerator, washing machine, etc.)
- Think of some absorbers- clay is great for excess water. Clay bricks can be useful, but not in a high moisture area. Other materials that might be of use are charcoal and gravel.
- Silica gel- this is a no-brainer. You’ll see silica gel sachets in shoe boxes, and in packing materials. So this makes a good homemade dehumidifier. Buy a good quantity of silica gel, put it in a jar with holes and place the jar in areas of your home that attract damp. Replace the silica gel at periodic intervals for efficient dehumidification.
- Calcium chloride- put some of this in a sock, tie it up and put it under your sinks and other water collection areas. Calcium chloride works to absorb liquids, so make allowances for that too, in the form of a bowl or container to store the water.
- Rock salt-this kitchen staple is a great dehumidifier and a very economical one as well. Pour some rock salt into a bucket with holes. Fill it up to the brim and place them in the problem areas of the house. The rock salt will absorb the water and create for a drier atmosphere.You could also look at condensation or moisture crystals as a way to absorb damp.
These are cost effective and easy ways to quickly absorb damp, until you find a more permanent solution to remove damp and keep it bay forever.