07 Apr 09 UNDERSTANDING ALLERGY: TIPS FOR PREVENTING MOULD AND MILDEW

Get rid of dampness. A wet basement can be a sign of cracked or defective mortar, cracks

in the walls or inadequate drainage.

Check your rainspouts. If your basement seems particularly damp after it rains, the roof downspouting could be depositing water too close to the foundations. In that case, extend the leader spout to carry the rainwater farther away and downhill from the house.

Use only light, washable rugs instead of heavy carpeting, especially in basements or other areas prone to dampness or water leaks. Wet carpeting is a lush haven for mould growth.

Vent your clothes dryer to the outdoors to help reduce excess moisture.

Throw out all those old, damp piles of odds and ends you’ve been hoarding in the basement, attic and backs of wardrobes – newspapers, books, magazines, old carpets, cast-off furniture, dingy pillows, broken-down toys and the like.

Keep things clean. Never hang clothes in the wardrobes after they’ve been worn. Keep wardrobes, dresser drawers, bathrooms, and refrigerators as clean and dry as possible.

Spread out damp towels and washcloths in the bathroom. Stretch out wet shower curtains.

Circulate the air. When natural breezes are absent, use electric fans.

Sprinkle borax powder in mould-prone areas, like the bottom of the rubbish bin. This natural mineral compound happens to be a simple, effective anti-mould agent.

Avoid wallpaper. It’s a haven for mould, especially in the bathroom. If you have your heart set on wallpaper, add borax or boric acid to the paste to retard mould growth.

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