Mould and damp
The following information is for Queensland public housing tenants.
Mould can negatively affect your health, especially if you:
- have asthma
- have allergies
- have a weakened immune system
- are older
- are pregnant.
It grows in damp, dull and poorly-ventilated spaces, such as:
- kitchens
- bathrooms
- laundries.
Dust and dirt also helps mould grow.
Preventing mould and damp
The best way to prevent mould and damp is to keep your home dry and well-aired by;
- allowing sunlight into the property as much as possible, especially in the bathroom, laundry and kitchen
- opening doors and windows to allow air to circulate, particularly in the bathroom
- opening windows when you’re cooking, or using a shower, bath or clothes dryer (check the air from your clothes dryer is vented outside, not inside—do not drill or cut holes in external walls or ceiling sheets without our approval)
- cleaning wet areas of your home, such as your bathroom, kitchen and laundry regularly; wipe away moisture from windows, walls and near taps, and keep bathroom walls, showers, shower curtains, baths and basins as dry as possible
- drying and airing damp clothes and shoes outside as soon as possible; make sure they’re completely dry before putting in a wardrobe or storage area, and leave wardrobe doors open where possible
- cleaning carpets and rugs regularly using a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter vacuum cleaner
- cleaning up water leaks and spills indoors immediately (contact your nearest Housing Service Centre as soon as you notice any water leaks, rising damp or repeated moisture problems)
- cleaning evaporation trays in air coolers, dehumidifiers and refrigerators frequently (if you have a department-installed evaporative air cooler, we’ll clean its filters)
- not running evaporative air-cooling systems with water during high humidity (over 65%); if the air feels humid, run the air cooler without water and open the windows
- allowing space between furniture and walls so air can flow, particularly wardrobes
- not stacking boxes or other items against outside walls, especially walls that don’t get a lot of sun
- placing absorbent beads in affected rooms to soak up extra moisture. You can buy these at the supermarket.
All external doors and windows in your property should have security and insect screens. If you don’t, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre to arrange installation.
Removing mould
Follow these steps to remove small areas of mould:
- Obtain personal protective equipment, including half-face disposable respirators with P1 or P2 filters, to avoid inhaling mould spores when cleaning. You’ll find these at hardware stores.
- Place drop sheets on the floor and exclude people from the affected area if they’re not performing the work.
- Get 2 buckets: 1 for cleaning solution and 1 for clean water.
- Wipe the area clean with a microfibre cloth and cleaning solution. Don’t put dirty cloths back in the solution; rinse them in the clean water to avoid cross-contamination.
- After cleaning the area with the solution, wipe the surface with a damp cloth. Don’t use the same cloth you used with the solution.
- Wipe the surface dry with a clean cloth.
Instead of trying to clean it yourself, contact your nearest Housing Service Centre if the mould:
- covers a large area
- keeps coming back after cleanin
- is caused by leaks or building problems,
Mould remover
Remove mould using a suitable mould remover, such as:
- a solution of 3 parts vinegar and 2 parts water
- a solution of 70% methylated spirits and 30% water
- a solution of tea tree oil and water
- commercial mould-removal products from the supermarket (always follow the safety instructions to protect your eyes, skin and lungs).
Tips
- Always use a different cloth with each process and throw them away after, or the mould spores will spread and mould will reappear.
- Don’t dry brush the area with a broom or brush, as this can spread mould.
Moving in and moving out
Before you move in, we ensure your home is clean and in good repair for you to live in.
If you notice mould in your property when you move in, record it on your Entry Condition report and contact your Housing Service Centre.
When you move out, you must leave the property in a clean condition. If the property needs extra cleaning to remove mould that has built up during your tenancy, we may charge the costs to you.