Five ways to prevent mould in your home and the best ways to clean it

Regular surface cleaning is one way to help prevent mould in your home. (Adobe Stock)

Winter is here, and with it comes the increased risk of mould in homes, particularly in colder parts of the country.

And although often dismissed as an issue to be dealt with later, mould can quickly get out of hand and can also pose a health risk.

To prevent mould growing in your home, it helps to understand what it is and what it needs to survive.

Perth/Boorloo mycologist Heike Neumeister-Kemp explains that mould, which includes many different species, is a type of fungi that feeds on organic matter and reproduces by releasing tiny spores.

Heike Neumeister-Kemp is based in Perth. (ABC North Queensland: Nathalie Fernbach)

"Mould is always already there ... it floats around in the air, and every surface contains a couple of spores," Dr Neumeister-Kemp says.

When it comes to household mould, common types are often referred to by their colour, such as brown, green, and black mould.

But Jason Chapple, a Brisbane/Meanjin-based master water damage technician and co-founder of The Mould Group, says the colour of mould can't tell you how harmful or what species it is.

"We can't identify what sort of mould it is [with certainty] … without a lab."

Stachybotrys chartarum, sometimes called black mould, has a reputation as particularly toxic to humans. However, other mould species can also release mycotoxins that cause serious harm.

The good news is that the basic prevention strategies are the same for every species.

David Lark says mould needs water and organic matter to grow, so controlling moisture and dirt in your home can prevent it. (Supplied: David Lark)

NSJ Envirosciences principal mycologist David Lark, from Newcastle/ Mulubinba, says mould spores need water, food, oxygen and the right temperature to reproduce.

When and how mould becomes an issue differ depending on the climate where you live, but all three experts say preventing it is fundamentally about limiting potential food and water sources.

To grow, mould needs organic matter to feed on, and skin cells, dirt and bacteria will do the job.

"We say microscopic food source because a handprint is good enough," Mr Chapple says.

For this reason, the experts say regular home surface cleaning is essential.

Cleaning your walls and widows at least once a year can help keep mould at bay. (Unsplash: CDC)

In addition to weekly floor, benchtop, and bathroom cleaning, Mr Chapple says all walls, ceilings, and windows should be wiped down every 12 months.

"You only need to use washing-up detergent [well-diluted in