It’s starting to get cold and when it does we tend to close windows, draw curtains and blinds to keep warmth in and bring still damp clothes in off the line as the sun slips towards the horizon to ‘air’ them overnight inside before putting them in closets and drawers. We put down thedraught stops, check seals on windows and slide a thicker mat over those bathroom drains that seem to filter a draught into the home.
If we love wood furniture this can accumulate mildew left over from summer humidity. Hard floors, whether wood, tiles or other, can also be a place where a coating of moisture and condensation build-up becomes a breeding ground for spores.
We want to keep the heating bill down, but not at the cost of good health and good air within the home.
Although some of this can be alleviated by a dehumidifier, or using an upright airer in one room of the home where a window can be left open, a few other measures can be taken to reduce condensation within the home and the conditions that promote mould and mildew with a few easy steps and a bit of regular maintenance.
Install an exhaust fan
An exhaust fan in the bathroom will stop condensation buildup in the bathroom areas, or a laundry where a dryer is. Bathroom fans are essential for removing moisture and bad odours from the bathrooms in your home, preventing the growth of mould and mildew. By removing excess moisture from the air, you can also prevent wallpaper and paint from peeling and prevent doors and windows from becoming warped. If your bathroom doesn't have one, installing one will cut out cold and hot weather moisture. If you do have one and it's not been replaced for years, the great new products available may be a low cost of making the air and moisture inside your home healthier.
Installing or replacing a bathroom fan is a moderately easy DIY project for homeowners with basic electrical and carpentry skills. The only connection you can legally make to the fixed wiring in your home (unless you are a licensed electrician) is to push a plug into a socket and flick the switch, so bear this in mind if you wish to self-install. Although electrical work seems simple, there are many risks, including electrocution and circuit overload – which can lead to a fire. You can physically install the fan and other components, but you cannot legally make any electrical connections. Follow exactly the instructions of your electrician and the manufacturer to ensure the safety of your home.
Install self-closing exhaust fans and ducts to prevent heat-loss in winter, the loss of cool air in summer, and entry of insects or vermin anytime.
The first thing you need to do when choosing a new bathroom fan is determine the CFM rating for your bathroom, so you can buy the appropriate strength fan. CFM stands for "Cubic Feet per Minute" and refers to how much air the fan can move per minute. Small bathrooms will need low CFM fans, while larger bathrooms may require fans with a much higher CFM. Fans are available in a range of sizes and shapes, so each has different clearance requirements. Make sure you read the manufacturer’s instructions fully before you start cutting into your ceiling.
To calculate the CFM for your bathroom, multiply the room's cubic footage (length x width x height). For example, if your bathroom measured 120 square feet, you would multiply that by the height of the ceiling (say 8') to get 960. THEN divide by 7.5 to get a CFM rating of 128.
You will find the CFM rating of a new fan printed on its box.
Consider the sound rating of your fan. The sound rating of your new fan, which is measured in sones. New fans usually have a sound rating somewhere between 0.5 (very quiet) and 6 (very loud). Some people prefer to have very quiet fans, while others value the privacy offered by louder fans, especially in public areas of the home. Like the CFM, the sone ratings of new fans will be printed on the box
Choose the location of the fan. The location of your bathroom fan is important. It should be installed at the center point between your shower and toilet for optimum ventilation. However, if your bathroom is very large, you may need to install more than one fan.
Invest in a Good Hard Surfaces cleaner
Vacuuming and washing floors can still leave dust or cleaning products behind on hard surfaces. A few weeks ago Kärcher Australia launched the new and innovative FC5 Floor Cleaner. The Floor Cleaner FC 5's two-in-one function lets you mop and suction wet and dry dirt in just one step. No need to vacuum beforehand – mopping has never been easier, faster or more thorough. The automatically moistened, rotating microfibre rollers pick dirt up, while the water-dirt mixture is continuously suctioned off the rollers at the same time. This practical self-cleaning function keeps the rollers fresh and ready to use at all times. The FC 5 uses up to 85% less water while providing significantly better cleaning performance. The FC 5 can be used on all standard hard floors, whether they are made of wood, stone or plastic.
Application Areas
On all hard floors, such as parquet, laminate, cork, stone, linoleum or PVC
For hygienic cleaning applications in all areas (e.g. toilet, kitchen, bath, etc.)
For fast and effortless wet cleaning of hard floors
Also suitable for sealed, oiled and waxed parquet
KARCHER FC5 HARD FLOOR CLEANER: $350.00
60m²/h cleaning capability per tank. 400ml clean water tank. 200ml dirty water tank. 500rpm roller speed. 300mm cleaning width.
Clean and Apply a Good furniture Polish to Wooden Furniture
Removing mould
If you already have mould at your house the best way to get rid of it is with a good scrub of a white vinegar and water solution.
Eight parts vinegar to two parts water and a microfibre cloth is the recommendation. Remember to patch test on surfaces before cleaning them. Although bleach for mould removal has been used in the past it does not kill the mould, it just bleaches the colour out.
If you are using this vinegar-water mix to remove white mould from wood surfaces, remeber to apply a good polish afterwards to protect the item from further mould build-up.
FW MASTERTOUCH POLISH $ 15.70
CABOT'S AUSTRALIA
ISOPROPANOL CLEANING FLUID 125ML: $9.60
Anti-bacterial wipes that are treated with a disinfectant fight mould. For cleaning mould from carpet, two tablespoons each of bi-carb soda, white vinegar and methylated spirits, and two teaspoons each of eucalyptus and glycerine has proved successful for many - always spot test first though.
Moisture absorbing buckets you put in your cupboards are also effective at reducing the humidity and preventing mould in those areas where ventilation is not present.
COWDROY WEATHER SEAL FOAM 19MM X 6MM X 5M GREY: $9.90
HILLS FINESSE DUO SERIES 2 AIRER: $69.00
13m line space
Products shown here are from Johnson Brothers online store (link below) and JBH Mitre 10
Click on logo to visit Johnson Brothers Mitre 10 website
Johnson Bros Mitre 10 - Avalon (02) 9918 3315
Johnson Bros Mitre 10 - Mona Vale (02) 9999 3340
JBH Timber & Building Supplies (02) 9999 0333
JBH Fencing & Landscape Supplies (02) 9970 6333
www.johnsonbros.com.au Online store: jbhmv.com.au
