WITH temperatures now dropping, millions of households around the world are dealing with the same issue – mould.
According to data by Homebrite, the problem is huge – an astronomical 58% of privately rented households across England have reported damp, mould and/or excessive cold.
But not can only black spores make for an unsightly mess, the widespread fungi, as well as being exposed by dampness, can also have a negative impact on your health.
The NHS warned that those particularly vulnerable are people with respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma, as well as newborns, young children and the elderly.
Being exposed to and inhaling the mould spores can cause a range of issues, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and skin rash.
In some cases mould can also cause asthma attacks.
As autumn is well and truly here, hundreds of Brits have been taking to social media to seek advice and share their top tips to tackle mould.
Amongst them was also one anonymous Facebook user who shared their woes on the popular Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips page.
The person wrote: ”How to stop mould on inside of walls of the window?
”I’ve tried white vinegar. I’ve tried all the mould sprays. It keeps coming back.”
Luckily for the anonymous member – as well as anyone else dealing with the common issue – the post was soon inundated with responses.
More than a dozen people flooded to the comments section to share their favourite remedies, which ranged from simple solutions to snapping up bargains from the high street.
One suggested: ”You could open the window for a while. Then put heating in the room.”
Another recommended: ”Mould Magic from Must Have Ideas ( online shop)….Its a gel that is left on for a few hours then wiped off.
”Only recently used so, don’t know yet How long it will be effective for….But it Does work.”
A third added: ”Once you’ve removed it, wipe over with tea tree oil as it kills the spores and stops more mould from growing.”
However, there was one response more popular than any other – buying a dehumidifier.
A winter staple for many households, a dehumidifier works ”by drawing air from the room over a coil cooled to a very low temperature by a refrigeration system”, explained the experts at the Breathing Space.
The water vapour then condenses on the cold surface and the water drips into the collection bucket underneath.
Although you can buy the nifty winter gadget from many retailers, including Amazon, there’s no need to fork out a fortune, as one person revealed they bagged it for under a quid.
”We have these in our windowsills to collect the moisture. 99p from Home Bargains.
Those looking to get their hands on the must-have gadget can buy a pack of 12 Ambient Air Interior Dehumidifiers for £9.48 – which works out to be just 79p per each mini dehumidifier.
Great to remove damp air from rooms and improve air quality, this Home Bargains find will also make your house smell great, as it comes in three gorgeous scents – vanilla, cherry and lavender.