Most of Australia is blessed with beautiful sunshine, especially in the northern states. This enviable climate has shaped our lifestyles and our homes. But when the rain does come, many of us close our doors and windows blocking out vital sunlight and breezes. This can lead to undesirable damp air, musty smells, and dangerous mould inside our homes. The good news is there are several things you can do to fight back. Getting rid of mould Sunlight is the biggest killer of mould without having to resort to harsh chemicals. If your home has a bit of a musty smell or if you know that there’s some dampness in your internal walls or ceilings, it’s probably time to get some sunlight inside. This can also help reduce the health risks associated with inhaling mould spores. Sunlight has incredible properties for killing mould spores and is a fantastic way to bring freshness to your home. Other ways to get rid of mould include: Apply chlorine dioxide and allow it to air dry Spot clean carpets using hydrogen peroxide Clean up mould on walls with a diluted vinegar solution (80% vinegar, 20% water) and a microfibre cloth To help prevent mould from returning, wipe windows and doors with a mix of ½ vinegar and ½ water. Ensure you have good ventilation throughout the home, particularly in areas like bathrooms and kitchens where there is a lot of moisture Also, keep in mind that mould removal by professional steamers can be a very expensive process. As with many things in life, prevention is the best cure! Eliminating musty smells Allowing air to flow freely through your home will help get rid of condensation and dampness, plus the musty smell that is often associated with moisture. Regular cleaning can also be a big help. Throw out any old cardboard or paper, and wash fabrics and carpets with white vinegar or baking soda. The use of odour absorbers and a dehumidifier can also work well to remove moisture from the air and eliminate bad smells. Once the musty smell is gone, be sure to keep your house well ventilated, especially during rainy periods to help prevent the smells from returning. Other benefits of keeping your windows and doors ‘open’ It’s one thing to say ‘keep your doors and windows open’, but there are good reasons to keep them closed too. This is where the benefits of installing quality security screens come into play. Top-quality screens such as Crimsafe can enable you to leave your blinds up and curtains open to let the sunshine in. There are other benefits too; Reduce your air conditioning bills. Security screens mean you can open your glass windows and doors and enjoy the breeze while still being safe and secure in your home. Crimsafe screens are a lifesaver on hot summer nights because the perfectly sized mesh means cool breezes can still flow through Cut down on emissions. Not only will you reduce your power bills with mesh screens, but they also have a great benefit to the environment. You can cut down on fossil fuels being used just by opening the windows and doors, and cutting back on the A/C Preventing bugs. Crimsafe has built a reputation for keeping intruders out of Australian homes, and this includes even the tiniest trespasses. Crimsafe’s security screens have been tested specifically for their effectiveness at stopping dengue fever mosquitos (Aedes Aegypti) and was found to prevent 99% of mosquitos from entering over a 72- hour period. So there you have it. A few simple ways to say goodbye mould, hello fresh air!
