The weather may be getting colder, but Brits are being urged to open their windows regularly throughout winter for one key reason.
Ensuring your home remains ventilated with fresh air circulating through it is important, particularly during winter when you may be tempted to keep them shut.
Opening your windows more regularly will not only help fresh air circulate but can reduce the chances of mould, damp and mildew.
People urged to open windows more in winter to prevent mould
Jack Baldwin is the director of Lancaster-based Baldwin Building Services.
Among the company's services is inspecting properties for damp and advising householders on how to keep their homes free of mould.
Jack said: "Opening windows a couple of times a day is definitely a great way of keeping air circulating and keeping black mould at bay.
"It can be a particular problem at this time of year when people are more likely to dry clothes indoors, which can increase humidity and lead to the build-up of mould.
"Opening windows for a short time to allow moisture to escape and let some fresh air in is the first thing we recommend to our customers."
Yvonne Keal, senior product manager at home retail company Hillarys, concurred, adding: "Opening your windows twice a day is a great way to let fresh air circulate and reduce humidity, which helps prevent mould and damp.
How to Prevent Condensation in Your Home
"Even if it’s damp outside, the key is short, controlled ventilation, just 5 to 10 minutes at a time. This allows stale, moisture-heavy air to escape without introducing excess dampness indoors."
Helen O’Connor, Product and Trends Manager at 24/7 Blinds, referred to the process as 'burping your home'.
"This is the process of opening the windows in your home for short bursts, usually for around 10 minutes at a time," she said.
"Burping your home encourages the circulation of fresh air and prevents condensation, which in turn prevents the growth of mould.
"In addition to burping your room to prevent mould, it is also good for your well-being, helping to boost your mood and improve stress levels.
"Mould thrives in areas with high moisture and humidity paired with low air circulation – and will grow quickly in places where water is present or air is stagnant."
How to prevent mould in homes
As well as regularly opening your windows, there are other ways experts say can help prevent mould in your home.
James Kane, of ventilation specialists EnviroVent, advised against drying clothes indoors.
He said: "Even with open windows, it is worth noting that drying clothes indoors releases litres of moisture into the air. If you can’t dry outside, see if you can use your bathroom as a drying room.
"With the heater on and a humidity-controlled extractor fan on, clothes will dry, and moisture can be exhausted from the property. Avoid drying clothes in bedrooms or living rooms without airflow."
Sam Carter, radiator expert at Appliances Direct, explained the importance of choosing the right radiator to keep the temperature in your home at the right levels.
How to Get Rid of Mould in Your Home
He recommends keeping your house between 18C and 21C to keep damp and mould at bay.
Sam said: "If your home is well-insulated, opt for aluminium radiators. They heat up quickly and cool down slowly, meaning your home will stay warm for longer without needing constant heat.
"You simply don't need a continuous output, saving you money in the long run.
"If your home is poorly insulated, however, go for steel radiators. They provide a steady, consistent heat output and retain warmth for longer.
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He added: "Pairing them with a dehumidifier can make a huge difference, too. I'd always recommend that you run a good-quality dehumidifier in the winter months, especially when drying laundry.
"A good quality dehumidifier will help you dry clothes more quickly and also keep humidity down to prevent condensation.
"Mould starts to develop above 65% humidity, so aim for 50-55% in your home, which sounds complicated to figure out but most dehumidifier units will do this for you automatically."
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