AS the weather is getting cooler and the threat of mould in our homes is increasing, it’s important to be on top of matters.
And that even includes shoes, which can get mouldy if not stored or cared for properly.
Condensation is the leading cause of mould in homes across the UK.
It most commonly occurs in parts of the home where there are high moisture levels – in bathrooms, kitchens, and around windows.
But it can also grow on other surfaces if untreated or out of control.
Professional home organiser Anita Birges has shared her tips for making sure your shoes stay safe from mould.
She dubbed her hack the “best way to keep your shoes from getting mouldy”.
Shoes can get mouldy for a multitude of reasons: being wet when you put them away, the cupboard they’re in is damp and improper cleaning.
It only takes one spore to start a colony of mould so, as always, prevention is better than cure.
Anita advised people to keep the “little silicone gel packets” that come in a new box of shoes.
They tend to be small paper squares with little balls inside them, reading: “Do not eat.”
These can be placed inside shoes when you store them to stop mould from growing.
That’s because the little gel packets work to absorb any moisture inside the shoe.
“Put them inside your little shoes and they’ll keep the mould away,” Anita said.
“These packets will help preserve your shoes and make them last longer by absorbing the moisture that builds up inside your wardrobe.”
A mould-ridden home can cause serious problems for its residents, including respiratory issues and ruining belongings.
Around 11.8million Brits are living in mouldy properties, research by housing charity Shelter last year.
Typically, mould will only start growing on a surface that’s been wet for at least 24 hours so if there’s any damp in your home, you could be at risk.
The issue is usually worse in humid rooms, like your bathroom, which can steam up after a hot shower.
But there are ways to avoid the household problem, as Karl Parr, home insurance expert at Axa, told The Sun.
