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FOR millions of households across the world the arrival of autumn comes with the same dreaded issue - the annual return of mould.
Being exposed to mould for long periods can cause respiratory illnesses, allergies and asthma, and can sometimes be fatal, with newborns, young children and the elderly amongst the most vulnerable.
According to Homebrite, the problem is massive in the UK - an astronomical 58 per cent of privately rented households have reported issues with deadly fungus.
As the temperatures are slowly but surely dropping, hundreds of Brits have been taking to social media to seek advice and share their top tips to tackle mould.
One Facebook user Louise Clements, shared her woes on after coming across black spots all along her ceiling.
Desperate for a solution, she wrote in the : ''I have started to notice mould all on my ceiling in my flat.
''I have tried every mould product and paint product there is.
''I keep my air vents open to help get rid of it.''
According to Louise, who said she hasn't knocked up her heating yet, none of the methods have worked.
''I haven’t had the heating on at all either. Is there any recommendations for this?
''I have contacted my landlord but they said to keep using mould products but it ain’t helping.''
Luckily for the woman, who also shared several snaps of the mould-infected ceiling, the post was soon inundated with numerous responses.
Dozens of helpful members of the group flocked to share their top remedies, as well as guesses as to why the mould was there in the first place.
One suggested: ''The mould in the ceiling will most likely be from condensation.
''Leaving the vents open will help but there is still a temperature difference between the room and the loft space which creates the condensation.''
Another urged: ''Use neat bleach on a paintbrush. The cheap thin stuff is best.''
Mould is more likely to grow during the winter months.
Olivia Young, Product Development Scientist at revealed exactly why this is.
"Unfortunately, mould is a common problem many people face during winter. It thrives in conditions that are warm and damp, so your bathrooms are likely to be the most affected place.
"That said, during the colder months most rooms in your home could be vulnerable to mould growing.
"This occurs primarily from condensation that builds up on your windows when you’ve got your radiators on.
"If you think about it, when windows and doors are closed, there's not much chance for the air to circulate and the moisture to make a swift exit.
"This build up is what can cause dreaded mould to make an appearance, especially in bathrooms, as it creates that warm and wet environment that is a breeding ground for mould.
"If left untreated, not only is it unsightly but it can also pose a serious risk to your health, so it’s really important you treat it.
"The key to tackle mould is to act fast.
"Try to come into as little contact with it as you can. So, grab your gloves, tie up your hair and get to work to remove any signs of mould as soon as you notice them.
"To keep mould at bay, there are some simple solutions you can introduce throughout home.
"The first is keep it ventilated. Yes, even in the cold winter months try to leave your bathroom window open for at least 10/15 minutes post shower or bath. This will get rid of any excess moisture quickly preventing mould gathering.
"If you’re having a repeat problem with mould in one particular area, it might be because the humidity levels are too high. You can get a dehumidifier that will help keep the levels low and reduce the risk of mould returning.
"The golden rule to remember when dealing with mould is the quicker you can treat it, the better. If you leave it, it will only get worse so never ignore it!
"To successfully get rid of mould every time, I recommend opting for the , that effectively removes mould and mildew stains almost instantly, with no scrubbing necessary."
However, there was one recommendation more popular than any other - using a dehumidifier.
A firm winter staple for many, a dehumidifier works ''by drawing air from the room over a coil cooled to a very low temperature by a refrigeration system'', explained the pros at .
The water vapour then condenses on the cold surface and the water drips into the collection bucket underneath.
What's more, although there are plenty of options on the high street, cash-savvy Facebook users revealed there's no need to fork out a huge sum on this cold weather must-have.
One thrifty member of the page shared a snap of and wrote: ''I've read so much about how good these are so bought from Amazon.''
The mini bargain buy, which is currently on sale for £12.98, comes with ten dehumidifiers - working out to a little over £1 each.
Designed to tackle condensation, the plastic tubs contain unique hydrophilic crystals that are specifically formulated to draw and retain moisture from the air.
Not only do the containers help combat condensation, damp rooms, allergens in the air, mould, and mildew, but the shopper-favourite dehumidifiers also neutralise odours.
The tubs absorb up to 3x of their weight in water and are portable and easy to move around according to your needs.
With over a staggering 43k positive reviews online, it's easy to see why this ten-pack has become essential for many.
One happy customer rated the product with five stars and said: ''Small and inconspicuous. Work well in garden house.''
Another was raving over the bargain find, writing: ''Although these dehumidifiers are small, they can be put in awkward places such as under the sink, near the toilet, in the summerhouse.
''I’ve used these Ansio dehumidifiers before and they took a lot of moisture out of the atmosphere once they had been in place for about a week.''
Whilst the feedback was mainly positive, there was also some criticism, as one disappointed shopper said: ''It has not absorbed any moisture so far.
''I have an extremely damp environment and in one week it still hasn’t done anything.''
