The cosy season is finally upon us. While we all get excited about pulling out our favourite knits and establishing our new home firmly on the sofa, it’s easy to forget the less-than-cuddly things this season can also bring.
As temperatures drop, the likelihood of our homes developing damp, condensation and mould rise. Not only can this be unsightly, but mould can also cause respiratory problems, particularly if you have allergies or asthma. Plus, once it takes hold, it can be really tricky to get rid of – which is why prevention is so essential.
Here are some of the most commonplace habits that could be secretly turning your home into a perfect breeding ground for mould and damp – and, more importantly, how to stop them.
Pushing furniture tightly against walls
Large wardrobes, beds and sofas placed flush against external walls aren’t just a matter of style preference or a question of feng shui. They can significantly restrict airflow and create cold patches behind the furniture, particularly in rooms that are already poorly ventilated.
When warm, moisture-filled air meets these colder areas, condensation can form on the wall unnoticed. Over time, this creates an ideal environment for mould to develop, especially behind wardrobes or sofas that rarely get moved.
Instead, leave a small gap between furniture and the wall, particularly on external walls, and occasionally check behind larger items for any early signs of condensation, dampness or mould.
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Drying clothes on radiators
Heated airers can be a useful way to dry clothes during the colder months, often using less energy than a tumble dryer. However, radiators should not be treated as an alternative.
A common misconception is that drying clothes on a radiator is just as effective as using a heated airer. In reality, wet clothes can block the warm air that would normally circulate around the room, making your heating work less efficiently. As the clothes heat up, they also release moisture directly into the surrounding air, increasing humidity and potentially encouraging condensation on cold windows and walls.
A heated airer is designed to dry clothes more efficiently on a concentrated, low-level heat. Using one with a cover helps trap the warmth around the clothes and contains some of the moisture, although it’s still important to ventilate the room. Dry clothes outdoors where possible, or use a heated airer in a room with the door closed and a window open or extractor fan running.
Not airing bedrooms in the morning
During the colder months, many of us want to turn our bedrooms into a cosy, warm nest of rest and relaxation – somewhere we can feel safe, snug and tucked away from the elements. However, this impulse could also make your little nest of rest and relaxation a breeding ground for mould.
Breathing overnight releases moisture into the bedroom, which can settle on cold windows, walls and other surfaces. Your bed holds on to moisture, too, so making it as soon as you get up can trap that dampness beneath the duvet and sheets.
Instead, pull back the covers and leave your bed unmade for a little while to allow it to air. Open the window for a short period in the morning, wipe away any condensation and let fresh air circulate through the room. The house burping method can be particularly useful in this case, too.
Cooking without using the extractor fan
The kitchen extractor fan is not only useful when things start getting a bit smokey, it keeps mould at bay, too. We should be using it more often than we might think.
Cooking can release a surprising amount of moisture into your home. Boiling pans, steaming vegetables, kettles and even ovens all send warm, damp air into the kitchen. If there’s nowhere for that moisture to escape, it can settle on colder surfaces such as windows, walls, ceilings and the tops of cupboards – particularly as temperatures drop in autumn and winter.
This can leave behind condensation, which may eventually contribute to mould growth. It’s especially important to use your extractor fan if your kitchen is open-plan, as steam-filled air can quickly travel into other rooms.
Use the extractor fan whenever you cook and leave it running for a little while afterwards. Cover pans with lids where possible, keep the kitchen door closed and open a window. It’s also worth cleaning the extractor filter regularly, as a clogged filter won’t do any good.
Leaving internal doors open
It might seem harmless to leave the bathroom or kitchen door open, particularly if you’re trying to let warm air circulate around the home. However, this also allows moisture-filled air to travel into cooler rooms, where it can settle on surfaces as condensation.
Showering creates a lot of steam, while cooking releases moisture as mentioned abovce. If this damp air escapes into bedrooms, hallways or living rooms, it can spread the problem beyond the original room and make mould more likely to develop in colder areas.
Keep bathroom and kitchen doors closed while showering or cooking, and use extractor fans or open windows to vent the moisture outside. Leave the extractor fan running for a little while afterwards, too, so the remaining damp air has time to clear.
Keeping curtains and blinds closed
With the nights drawing in, we also start drawing our curtains earlier and leaving them shut for longer – often in hopes it helps keep us a little warmer. However, it’s important to only do this in moderation, lest you let the mouldy monster run rampant.
Keeping your curtains or blinds closed all day might make your home feel cosier, but it can also contribute to condensation. They can trap cool, damp air against the windows and prevent warm air from circulating properly, leaving moisture to build up around the glass and window frames.
This is particularly common in bedrooms, where overnight moisture may already have collected on the windows. If condensation is left to sit there regularly, it can eventually contribute to mould around the frames, seals and nearby walls.
Open curtains and blinds during the day to improve airflow and allow natural sunlight to warm the room. It’s also important to keep curtains slightly away from radiators, so warm air can circulate rather than becoming trapped behind the fabric. That’s useful for mould prevention, and keeping you toasty this winter. Wipe away any visible condensation from windows and frames, too, wherever you see it.
Blocking trickle vents
Many of the habits on this list come from a desire to keep our homes warmer, such is the case with this one, and such as is often the case, this habit can backfire.
When the weather turns colder, it can be tempting to close trickle vents to keep warm air in or switch off the bathroom extractor fan as soon as your shower ends. However, these small habits can reduce the ventilation your home needs to remove moisture.
Trickle vents provide a steady flow of fresh air, helping to prevent damp air from becoming trapped indoors. Extractor fans work in a similar way by removing steam at its source, but switching them off too quickly can leave moisture lingering in the room and settling on colder surfaces.
Keep trickle vents open and unobstructed, you may need to check to make sure they haven’t become naturally blocked with dust and other grime, and avoid covering them with curtains, furniture or other items. Run bathroom and kitchen extractor fans for around 15–20 minutes after showering or cooking, following the manufacturer’s guidance. This gives them time to clear the remaining moisture before you close the door or switch them off.
