It may seem more of an annoyance than a potential danger, but mould can cause an allergic reaction in some people.  Dr Edmond Shenassa of the Brown Medical School found that it can even cause a slowing of the emotions, which can lead to depression and mental fatigue.  Mould can develop in a variety of areas and with the installation of central heating and double glazing; older homes can be prone to developing this problem, especially if condensation is a problem.  Bedrooms can be very susceptible to mould, along with bathrooms and window sills.  Wardrobes that back onto an outside wall can hide damp problems behind them and this can allow mould to develop.

As the bedroom is where we spend a considerable amount of time it is worth ensuring there is no mould developing behind bedroom furniture, as these places are often overlooked, as large bulky furniture is less likely to be moved.  As with all rooms in the home, good ventilation is the key to combating mould issues, we tend to turn the heating up, but forget to air the rooms. In the summer our homes are locked tight when we are out with little chance for air to circulate.  All of this can contribute to spores developing.

There are plenty of ways to tackle this problem, if you discover mould developing, good old fashioned bleach and a bit of elbow crease will combat the issue.  If you are redecorating consider using wallpaper paste with a built in fungicide, it will help to fight mould and should hinder any growth.  The bathroom is a prime target and shower trays can harbour all many of things, keep a close eye on this area, once again bleach will solve the issue.  However you could also consider installing an extractor fan which will dispel the wet and steamy air.

If you don’t seem to have any visible mould and you suffer from the mentioned conditions try checking behind bedroom furniture and home office bookcases, but one of the simplest ways to stop it developing is to open windows and let fresh air in.