Why Is There Mould In Your Child's Bedroom?

CONTENTS

• What is mould?
• Why is there mould in your child’s bedroom?
• How dangerous is mould to children?
• Why you should not clean mould yourself
• What to do if mould is in your home
• Get in touch

Mould is a problem on its own, but if it grows in your child’s bedroom, there is a cause for alarm. Sleeping in a room affected by damp and mould is dangerous, especially for a vulnerable and developing child.

At ICE Cleaning, we provide efficient mould remediation services. Our Dewpoint-accredited technicians can identify the source of the mould and eradicate it effectively to prevent its return. Our various treatment programmes will restore your child’s bedroom to a safe state.

Read on to learn more about what you should do if you spot mould growing in your child’s bedroom.

What is mould?

Mould is a rapid-growing fungus that produces airborne spores to continue its spread. You may recognise it as it forms in humid, damp areas in the home with a slimy black or green appearance.

Mould spores are always around us so you cannot kill them but prevent their growth by maintaining an inhospitable environment for it.

Chronic exposure to mould growth will affect everyone differently and is especially dangerous to those with mould allergies, asthma, and weak immune systems. Mould can cause you to experience symptoms such as:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Irritated eyes

Why is there mould in your child’s bedroom?

Mould requires a few resources and environmental factors to start growing. It needs warmth, moisture, and organic materials to feed off.

A bedroom contains these elements, especially in the winter when we heat our homes. Poor ventilation in the bedroom can also encourage mould to spread, finding areas behind wardrobes and beds to grow.

Excessive condensation around the windows is a warning sign that mould may begin growing soon, along with damp wardrobes, musty odours, and discoloured paint. A young child spends a lot of time in their bedroom, continuing to harbour warmth and moisture, which only increases the risk.

How dangerous is mould to children?

According to a 2006 study, school-aged children are at greater risk of developing asthma due to indoor mould. Inhaling mould spores as their bodies grow could result in life-long ailments and permanently damage their lungs.

One of these conditions is hypersensitivity pneumonitis which reduces lung function, triggering chronic illnesses and mental health conditions like depression. Your child may be suffering from this condition if they show signs of:

• Coughing
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Fevers
• Weight loss

In addition to these risks to children, mould can compromise sleep which increases the likelihood of your child developing a chronic illness. Sleeping in a damp or mould-affected bedroom can lead to snoring, fatigue, insomnia, and sleep apnea, too.

Why you should not clean mould yourself

Although you might feel capable of tackling the mould yourself, you should not attempt this. Firstly, using homemade solutions and household products like vinegar or bleach will not kill the mould or prevent its return. This is because mould grows due to the poor environment in your home so you must take steps to prevent it from developing.

Attempting to clean the mould by scrubbing it may cause it to react, too, releasing airborne spores that you could inhale when trying to clean it. Dangerous products like bleach can also cause potential harm to your skin and lungs if used improperly. Instead, you must bring in mould removal specialists. 

What to do if mould is in your home

If you have spotted mould in your home or your child's bedroom, you must prevent the spread and keep your child safe. Move them to another room free of mould or consider finding temporary housing.

If you suspect your child is already suffering from mould-related symptoms, consult a doctor or contact 111 for advice on how to help your child. To prevent the spread in your home, you should:

• Purchase a dehumidifier
• Ventilate the home by opening windows and doors
• Use extractor fans in the bathroom and kitchen
• Dispose of mouldy items
• Dry your clothes outside or on a heated clothes horse
• Close the bathroom and kitchen doors while in use
• Wipe condensation away
• Install double-glazing windows
• Contact a mould removal company

Get in touch

We are a mould removal company that specialises in eradicating mould from your home and advising you on how to keep yourself safe in the future. Our industry specialists can be on-site within a few hours in an emergency.

If you have an inquiry about potential mould growth in your home, you can get in touch by calling us at 0208 066 0360 or enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk. We are a nationwide company, available 365 days a year, day and night.