Does sleeping in a room with mould impact the quality of your sleep?

 

According to the research "Exposure to visible mould or dampness at home and sleep problems in children", traces of mould in the bedroom are a major reason for insomnia in adults. The spores from mould trigger respiratory allergies in both young and old people, and the effects can be more devastating in people with respiratory diseases like asthma.

 

Air purifiers for mould are excellent at filtering out mould spores in the air we breathe. However, not all mould air purifiers are created equal, and a little research is necessary to ensure you find the right one.

 

Fortunately, we put together important information on what to look for in mould air purifiers. In this guide, we explain how an air purifier works to remove mould, which air purifier is right for you, and extra tips on how to keep your bedroom and entire home mould-free.

Which is the best air purifier for mould UK?

Air purifiers remove air pollutants in a room by passing indoor air through an inbuilt filter. The number of filters in air purifiers will determine if the unit can successfully eliminate mould spores in the air. An air purifier with more than one filter can eliminate various types of mould spores in an environment.

 

Mould spores are tiny airborne particles that are about 1 to 40 microns in size. Human hair measures 70 microns in size, which gives us an insight into how tiny the spores are. An air purifier with one filter may manage to remove a few spores in the air, but it may struggle to remove smaller-sized spores, especially if they are between 1 and 2 microns.

 

That’s not all. You also have to consider the musty smell that mould leaves behind. So the best mould air purifiers are those that filter out mould spores of various sizes and successfully eliminate the odour left behind by mould and mildew.

 

 

If you are sleeping in a room with mould, what you need is a HEPA air purifier with four filters. The four filters include:

● A pre-filter for eliminating large particles in the air.

● HEPA filter, which removes the tiniest unseen particles in the air like tobacco smoke, paint pigment, carbon dust, bacteria, and other allergens with 99.95%.

● A carbon filter removes the musty odour of mould and also purifies the air from smoke and other volatile organic compounds.

● An air ioniser filter that neutralises air pollutants that are 0.001 microns in size, such as viruses and bacteria.

 

Do air purifiers help with mould?

Air purifiers for mould help reduce the number of toxins in the air, and that includes the mould spores that trigger allergies. An air purifier with a HEPA filter will remove mould spores, pollen, and any other airborne toxins that may be lurking in your room. Additionally, a HEPA air purifier for mould will also remove the musty smell from mould growth and the noxious gases emitted by chemicals and cleaning products.

 

However, an air purifier will only be effective in taking care of airborne mould spores, but it cannot do anything for the mould that grows on surfaces. This is because an air purifier is not equipped to handle excess indoor moisture, and this is where a dehumidifier comes in.

 

Do dehumidifiers help with mould?

A dehumidifier reduces the chances of mould growth by eliminating the conditions in a home that favour mould growth. Mould thrives in moist environments, and a dehumidifier helps get rid of excess moisture in the air.

 

Using a dehumidifier in a room for at least an hour will dry any wet surfaces in your bedroom that favour mould growth. Eliminating moisture in a room is the surest way to prevent mould from spreading.

 

However, a dehumidifier will not kill the mould per se. The mould only enters a dormant state until the conditions are favourable again for it to grow. This is why you should manually clean surfaces to remove mould completely.

 

Is a dehumidifier or air purifier better for mould?

Mould is not only harmful to your health, but it can also ruin the structure of your home, including fabrics and furniture. Dehumidifiers and mould air purifiers are both excellent solutions for mould removal and prevention. While an air purifier removes airborne allergens and is ideal when sleeping in a room with mould, a dehumidifier will be handy in eliminating the conditions that favour mould growth, like high humidity.

 

 

How to remove mould in any room

Getting rid of mould can seem daunting, especially if the fungus has spread to a wide area of your room. However, with some knowledge, the right tools, and a little dedication, you can say goodbye to sleeping in a room with mould.

 

Below are the best mould removal tips you can find;

 

a) Protect yourself

Wear gloves, a face mask, and goggles before handling any mouldy surface. Protective gear prevents you from inhaling spores and harmful chemicals from reaching your hands when cleaning.

 

b) Be aware of the surface you are cleaning

Different surfaces will require a different approach to cleaning. Non-porous surfaces like glass and tiles will do with a little scrubbing and wiping to remove mould. However, porous surfaces like wood and drywall can be tricky to clean and, in most cases, may need replacing. More on how to replace porous surfaces later.

 

c) Use a vacuum cleaner

A HEPA-certified vacuum cleaner will help remove excess surface mould with ease. Using a vacuum cleaner and an air purifier concurrently prevents mould spores from spreading to other surfaces or contaminating adjacent rooms. Also, ensure doors and windows are closed when carrying out a deep cleanse.

 

d) Clean the mouldy surface

Mix bleach and water in a 1:10 ratio and use a stiff brush to scrub away surface mould. Alternatively, you can replace the bleach solution with store-bought mould cleaner, but ensure it is a product that is safe on the skin. An even safer alternative is using a homemade mould cleaner with ingredients found in your kitchen.

● Vinegar mould cleaner: vinegar has disinfecting properties that kill mould. In a spray bottle, add equal parts vinegar and water, then shake well before spraying affected areas. Allow the solution to sit for at least 15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing with clean water.

● Baking soda cleaner: baking soda helps remove mould stains on surfaces. Add a quarter tablespoon of baking soda to a cup of water and pour the solution on mouldy surfaces. Scrub with a brush or sponge, then rinse the surface with water.

● Tea tree mould cleaner: tea tree oil is a natural antifungal that will kill mould on contact. Add a teaspoon of tea tree oil to a spray bottle and add a cup of water. Shake well and spray surfaces with mould, allowing the solution to sit for 10 minutes. After, scrub or clean the area with a cloth to remove mould.

 

e) Dry everything

Keep surfaces dry to stop mould from growing and spreading. A dehumidifier or portable fan can help dry surfaces faster.

 

f) Check for mould in hidden areas

As you clean your bedroom, also check hidden areas like under carpets or inside walls for signs of mould growth. These will usually be dark, moist areas where mould thrives. Use the preventive measures we will list next to completely keep mould out of your bedroom and home.

 

How to prevent mould in the bedroom naturally

Mould likes to form in areas that are damp and humid. It could be mould in a corner of a room, under a sink, or on your windows. Mould can also form on materials like cardboard, paper, ceiling tiles, and any other porous materials in a room. Having a mould air purifier will keep the air inside your bedroom clean, but you also need some preventive tips to keep mould from forming in the future.

1. Regulate humidity in your bedroom

Add a dehumidifier to your bedroom to reduce high humidity and prevent additional mould growth. Air purifiers for mould and bedroom dehumidifiers can work hand in hand for maximum prevention of mould in the bedroom.

 

 

2. Identify and take care of moisture sources

Getting rid of moisture in your room is an easy way to keep mould at bay. Moisture in a room can be due to high humidity, poor ventilation, or water leaks. Check for leaks in the bathroom adjacent to your bedroom and fix them immediately. Open your windows to allow fresh air in and dry up any damp patches forming in your room. Avoid keeping damp clothes like wet towels or face towels in your room.

3. Keep your room clean

Cleaning your room prevents the buildup of organic matter that mould loves to feed on. Sweep, dust, and mop your room to remove organic matter like bits of food, human hair, or pet dander. Dry wet patches in your room, especially in moisture-prone areas like your bathroom.

4. Use mould-resistant material

Another long-term mould-prevention measure is renovating your home with mould-resistant material.

● Use mould-repelling drywall: A type of drywall called ‘green board’ contains a special mould-resistant coating. It can be effective in preventing mould from forming on walls.

● Cement board is another excellent moisture- and mould-repellent material. It is strong and durable and makes an excellent base when installing tiles in your bathroom or kitchen.

● Mould-repellent paint: nowadays we have special house paints designed to resist mould growth and will be ideal for wet areas like bathrooms.

● Fibreglass: adding fibreglass insulation will prevent mould and mildew from forming on walls.

● Natural stone: natural stones like quartz and granite are ideal decorative materials that are easy to clean and repel mould.

● PVC piping: switch your plumbing to PVC pipes, which are plastic and perfect for stopping mould from growing on moist surfaces like sinks and wet floors.

 

5. Check for new mould growth

After successful mould removal, always check the trouble areas for new mould growth. Early signs of mould and mildew are discoloured walls, ceilings, and a musty odour. Take care of the new growth immediately to prevent the mould from spreading.

Conclusion

Sleeping in a room with mould is not only harmful to your health, but allowing mould to set in can destroy the structure of your home, fabrics, and furniture. Mould air purifiers are excellent in removing airborne allergens like mould spores, making the air inside your room conducive to breathing.

 

Improved indoor air quality allows you to sleep better and wake up refreshed. While air purifiers for mould handle airborne spores, they cannot remove mould directly from a surface. Adding a portable dehumidifier to your mould removal plan helps reduce excess moisture in the air and surfaces. This prevents mould from multiplying and spreading.

 

For complete mould removal, consider the cleaning solutions and preventive measures we provided to guarantee a healthy and mould-free home to live and rest in.