PUTTING on expensive heating only when you need it can lead to other problems like condensation, damp or even mould.
Now is a great time to start thinking about cheap and effective mould hacks and it turns out a plant may be your best bet.
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Homebase is selling a £5.50 plant that could help banish mould from your home.
The DIY chain is selling Spathiphyllum, also known as the peace lily, which absorbs extra moisture in the air through its leaves.
Plants such as this are perfect for areas in your home where you are likely to get lots of moisture build-up like bathrooms and rooms with poor ventilation.
The plants are purifying and don’t need much sunlight to survive – making them a great choice for bathrooms without windows.
They feel most at home in environments similar to the South American rain forest so don’t need to be watered often.
Having a peace lily in your home can work similarly to a dehumidifier, sucking extra moisture out of the air – but they have the added bonus of being completely free to run.
Plus houseplants like peace lilies emit oxygen and help clarify pollutants from the air in your home.
Homebase’s £5.50 plant comes in a 13cm pot and shoppers have said the plants have arrived in a “good healthy” condition.
Last year B&Q had the same plant selling for £7 but this year Homebase has topped their deal and you get a slightly larger plant.
Waitrose also has a potted peace lily, though it’s a bit pricier at £7.99, while M&S is charging £30 for a peace lily basket.
There are quite a few plants recommended for homes with little sunlight these include snake plants, spider plants and bamboo.
How to get rid of mould at home
One of the easiest ways to avoid getting mould is to open your windows every day to let fresh air in and keep doors between rooms open.
Ensuring that air continuously circulates through your home will reduce condensation so the mould cannot grow.
You should also open cupboard doors regularly to allow fresh air in to make sure there’s no mould growing inside.
Other things that can help include not leaving your clothes to dry on radiators, and always cooking with ventilation.
In extreme cases of damp and mould, it’s best to keep the windows open to allow airflow and consider using an anti-mould treatment to tackle the problem.
You can seek out an expert and if you are renting speak to your landlord about fixing the issue.
