WITH rising costs and colder weather, many of us will be looking for cheap ways to protect our homes from mould and condensation.
As winter begins to bite, high energy bills mean households won’t want to keep their heating on for long.
As a result, it might be harder to tackle mould and condensation which is usually more rife in the winter.
If left untreated, mould can pose a risk to vulnerable Brits with existing health problems like eczema or asthma.
But there are cheap tricks people can do to reduce any mould and condensation in the home.
And you could save even more cash by bagging the following five gadgets in the Boxing Day sales.
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The Unibond Aero 360 dehumidifier
- Was: £12.99 at Robert Dyas
- Now: £9.99
- Save: £3 (23%)
One of the best ways to protect your home against mould is to invest in a dehumidifier that will keep your home moisture free.
They come in a range of sizes and prices.
The Unibond Aero 360 is said to “help create a comfortable indoor climate”.
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It is advertised to last for three months and is suitable for rooms up to 20m².
The device doesn’t need to be plugged in and is completely silent while it absorbs the moisture in the air. It is also supplied with a tablet.
Reviews left by customers have been positive with many leaving 5-star reviews on the Robert Dyas online page.
Salter Window Cleaning Vac
- Was: £24.99 at The Range
- Now: £19.99
- Saving: £5 (20%)
Washing windows is a chore but a window vacuum will banish condensation and mould in a jiffy.
They are designed to remove dust, dirt and water from your windows in an instant, leaving them squeaky clean and streak-free.
When The Sun reviewed the gadget, we found it to be “light to hold and easy to use”.
We gave it ten out of ten for value for money and nine out of ten for cleaning efficiency.
Sorbo Moisture Trap and Refill
- Was: £3 at Dunelm
- Now: £2.40
- Saving: 60p (20%)
The Sorbo moisture trap is ideal for preventing condensation and helps to combat humidity within your home.
It includes one refill bag which is easy to insert for a quick change.
The Dunlem page has been flooded with five-star reviews for the gadget.
One shopper said: “Amazing product and works! I’ve bought more refills to stock up. Also, really good value.”
While another added: “Doing a great job after only one week. Placed in cupboard which was smelling damp and musty.”
Xtremeauto Car Dehumidifier Bag Reusable
- Was: £16 at Amazon
- Now: £9.99
- Saving: £6.01 (38%)
These gadgets are portable and rechargeable dehumidifiers to help absorb any moisture in your home.
They are designed to be used in a car to clear up windscreens on cold mornings but can be used anywhere.
They work to continuously absorb excess moisture from the air and you simply recharge it in the microwave.
The gadgets could be a great addition to your windowsill, especially if your house is prone to condensation or mould.
If you’re trying to save some cash using a heated airer or a regular clothes horse, it can also help speed up your drying time too.
That’s because it sucks the moisture out of the air, helping dry your clothes faster.
The Heating Co heated towel rail
- Was: £54 at Victoria Plum
- Now: £29.99
- Saving: £24.01 (44%)
Wet towels left on the floor are a perfect place for mould to grow.
Not only is it this unhygienic, but it will also lead to an unpleasant musty smell.
A heated towel rail will ensure your towels dry quickly before mould has a chance to develop.
If you don’t have one built into your central heating system you can buy them from a number of major high street stores including supermarkets.
Victoria Plumb is selling a 750 x 300 rail for £29.99 reduced from £54.
The retailer said it is “perfect if you want to warm your towels when your central heating is switched off”.
What if I already have mould in my home?
Many experts say that bleach is all you need if you neither own nor want to buy specialised cleaning sprays and paints.
If using bleach, mix four parts of water with one part bleach.
You’ll also need a stiff brush, a bucket of water with cloth, and another cloth for drying
Apply your solution to the affected areas (including a few inches around visible mould to kill any mould not yet visible)
Scrub it firmly with a strong brush
Wait for as long as possible or until the mould completely disappears from sight and rinse the treated areas thoroughly.
Pat dry the area and allow it to completely dry before moving any furniture or placing items in front of the area.
Meanwhile, we spoke to a property pro to find out how to prevent mould in your home this winter.
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Plus, we tried four tricks to get rid of condensation and mould and we were surprised by the results.
And we identified four mould hotspots around your home that you should check now.
You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.