From a 10p boozy alcohol trick to a toothbrush hack for your dishwasher, here's how to tackle nasty mould on the cheap

CLOSE to a staggering 60 per cent – that's how many households across the UK are experiencing issues with condensation, dampness and mould.

But although there are a number of products in the market to tackle this issue, the answer to a mould-free home could be a lot easier and cheaper – some booze.

From a savvy 10p alcohol hack to a genius toothbrush trick for your dishwasher, here Fabulous takes a look at some of the best ways to banish this nasty fungi.

'Crazy' cat litter method

One of the key things responsible for triggering mould growth is condensation – and according to savvy fans of Mrs Hinch this can be prevented by a totally bonkers hack.

The fellow cleaning lovers recently shared how they dealt with the common water droplets by popping cat litter into an old pair of socks.

Once done, simply place it by the windowsill and watch it absorb all the moisture – voila!

10p booze trick for a mouldy mattress

The common signs of a mouldy mattress are an off-white appearance with pink or fluffy black spots on the mattress that hold a pungent, musty smell.

According to experts at MyJobQuote, this can lead to a number of serious health problems, including congestion, coughing, wheezing and other symptoms.

To ensure a good night's rest, the pros advised to use rubbing alcohol, which ''does a good job at destroying fungus cells in mould''.

''To remove mould, vacuum all sides of the mattress and treat visible evidence with a mix of equal parts rubbing alcohol and warm water.

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''Once you’ve treated the area and rinsed your cloth, it’s important to go back in with the solution and scrub beyond the edges of the infected area to kill invisible spores and prevent the chance of it returning.''

The cleaning pros instructed to then leave your mattress to dry in a moist free, dry environment, ideally in direct sunlight where possible.

Toothbrush hack for kitchen appliances

If not regularly cleaned, Wet appliances, such as our washing machine and dishwasher, typically see a build up of mould.

To ensure these are thoroughly cleaned of mould spores, take out any trays and soak in hot soapy water.

After soaking for a few minutes, the gurus said to scrub thoroughly with a sponge – though an old toothbrush works just fine too.

''As for the rest of the dishwasher, pay close attention to the seal when cleaning as mould can erode it and may mean a need for repair.

''To kill remaining mould, place a dishwasher safe cup of white vinegar on the top shelf and run a hot cycle.

''When finished, leave the door open to properly dry before putting back any cutlery holders.''

7p trick for mould-free windows

As windows are where moisture meets both warm and cold, they're the most common areas to find black mould, with wooden frames being particularly vulnerable to this issue,

To banish the grim fungi, which can also weaken the frames, the experts advised to use bleach.

They said: ''To get rid of mould near windows, use a mixture of one part bleach to three parts water in a bowl.

''When wearing gloves, use an abrasive sponge and scrub away any visible signs of mould in the window area.

''For harder to reach areas such as corners and sealants, use an old toothbrush wet with some bleach solution to get rid of all spores.''

Meanwhile, to prevent future mould returning, keep the trickle vent open at the top of the window to ensure proper ventilation and regularly clean the area to avoid a damp environment.

''You can also consider applying a mould resistant primer to the window frame for additional protection, which acts as a sealant.''

£1 buy that even experts swear by

Another budget-friendly alternative worth checking out is white vinegar.

Cleaning expert, Laura Harnett, the founder of Seep eco-cleaning tools, said: “White vinegar has antifungal and antibacterial properties and will remove mould in an eco-friendly and cost-effective way.”

According to the whizz, this cupboard essential can kill up to 82% of mould types, including black mould, on porous and non-porous surfaces.

To make the mould-banishing solution, mix one tablespoon of vinegar with one tablespoon of baking soda, as well as a little bit of hot water to create a paste.

This can then be applied onto the areas of black mould, she said.

The two ingredients combined creates carbon dioxide gas to lift dirt and the gritty baking soda will remove stains.

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From a 10p boozy alcohol trick to a toothbrush hack for your dishwasher, here's how to tackle nasty mould on the cheap | The Sun

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