Beat moisture to stay healthy

Everyday activities can cause moisture buildup in your home.

You can see the steam rising when you’re cooking and showering, and even hanging washing inside can release moisture into the air.

Dampness can cause mould that can aggravate health conditions such as asthma and that can damage building materials and furnishings.

Anything you can do to create a warmer, drier home will be better for your health and your family. And a drier home is cheaper to heat!

  • Our Well-being team has these top tips for a drier home:

    Dry your clothes outside
    Drying them inside can release up to 5 litres of moisture per load of washing.

    Mind the gap
    Keep beds and furniture away from walls, leaving a gap so air can circulate freely.

    You can sleep on it
    Avoid putting mattresses directly on the floor.

    Open windows and doors Ventilating your home for at least 10 minutes a day will help stop moisture building up inside. The best time to ventilate your home is when the house is warm, because warm air carries moisture out of the house.

    Use the bathroom fan when showering
    If you don’t have one, open the bathroom window when you are in the shower.

    Pre-heat the bathroom using a bathroom heater before you shower
    Heat keeps in the steam and makes it easier to extract through the bathroom vent. The steam is more likely to stick to the walls in a cold bathroom. Keep the bathroom door closed when you’re in the shower.

    Use the extractor fan when cooking
    If you don’t have an extractor fan, open a kitchen window.

    Keep lids on pots when cooking And make sure the pot fits the element and the lid fits the pot.

    • Remove condensation from your windows: Do this first thing in the morning. If you don’t, it’ll evaporate back into your home and make it harder to heat. Use a cloth, a squeegee, or a scoopy (which collects the moisture into the lid and can then be tipped out).

    • Warm up your home: A warm home will have less condensation. Many of our homes have heat pumps.

    • Let in the sun: It’s free heat! Make the most of it by opening your curtains and nets every morning and closing them at dusk.

  • Mould grows in dampness, and our top tips – and the heat pump and ventilation in your home – should avoid it.

    However, if mould becomes an issue even after you’ve wiped it clean, please contact us on 0800 624 456.

    DIY mould removal

    You can kill spores and remove mould on walls and other hard surfaces with a solution of 70% white vinegar and 30% hot water.

    Mix the vinegar and water together, spray the solution on to the mould and wipe clean.

    Do this regularly or as required.

  • Home heating can get expensive. These power saving tips might help you save on your power bill.

    Use your clothes line
    Dry your clothes on the washing line outside, rather than indoors. This will help reduce moisture in your home, which will make your home easier and cheaper to heat.

    Switch to LED light bulbs
    If you change to energy efficient LEDs, you could save $100 or more a year powering your home.

    Turn off home appliances
    Leaving appliances on standby costs money. Remember to turn them off.

    Follow the top tips for a drier home
    They’ll help keep your home easier to heat.