Ventilate
Extractor fans, trickle vents and windows on the vent setting let moist air out.
The healthy home library
Preventing mould in your home
Most mould prevention comes down to getting moisture out and keeping surfaces from getting cold. These tips help, but they can't make up for a building problem.
A little clarity.
A healthier home.
Reduce moisture
Pan lids, shut doors while cooking or bathing, and drying laundry outdoors when you can.
Keep surfaces warmer
Cold walls and windows attract condensation, so steady, reasonable warmth helps.
Fix leaks and defects
Gutters, roofs, pointing, seals and plumbing. Prevention can't beat water getting in.
Kitchen
- Put lids on pans and use the cooker hood or extractor fan while cooking
- Keep the kitchen door shut while cooking
- Open a window or use the vent setting afterwards
- Check under the sink and behind appliances for leaks
Bathroom
- Run the extractor fan during and after every shower or bath
- Keep the door shut while the room is steamy
- Wipe down tiles, glass and the bath after use
- Replace sealant that has mould growing into it
Bedrooms and living rooms
- Keep trickle vents open or windows on the vent setting
- Leave a small gap between furniture and outside walls
- Wipe condensation off windows and sills in the morning
- Avoid drying washing on radiators in rooms with the door shut and no ventilation
Outside
- Clear gutters and downpipes, especially after autumn
- Keep air bricks clear of soil, plants and clutter
- Keep paths and flower beds below the damp-proof course
- Get damaged roofs, pointing and window seals repaired
When prevention isn't enough
If mould keeps coming back despite these habits, something about the building is usually to blame: a fan that doesn't work or isn't powerful enough, missing insulation, a leak or water getting in from outside. The government's guidance says changes by the people living in a home "must sit alongside - and not be a substitute for - tackling the root causes".
If you rent, report it to your landlord in writing. See who has to fix damp and mould in a rented home.
Source: Understanding and addressing the health risks of damp and mould in the home, GOV.UK, updated 1 April 2026.
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