As the weather starts to warm up, spring is a great time to give your home a fresh start. But while you're opening the windows and getting stuck into your spring cleaning, there's one thing worth checking that can often go unnoticed: excess moisture.
After months of cooler weather, closed windows, condensation and drying clothes indoors, moisture can build up in areas of the home that don't get much airflow. And just because winter is over doesn't necessarily mean that dampness has disappeared.
Here are seven things to check around your home this spring.
1. Check your windows and window frames
Condensation on windows is common during the cooler months, but if moisture has been regularly collecting on your windows, it's worth checking the surrounding areas.
Take a look at your window sills, tracks, frames and corners for signs of lingering dampness or water damage. Give window tracks a good clean and make sure any moisture is dried rather than left to sit.
2. Look inside wardrobes and cupboards
Closed-off spaces can be easy to overlook during your regular cleaning routine.
Wardrobes, linen cupboards and kitchen cupboards can have limited airflow, particularly when they're packed full. Take the opportunity to clear some space, wipe down surfaces and check for any signs of dampness.
For enclosed areas that tend to hold moisture, a moisture absorber can also help manage excess moisture and keep these spaces feeling fresher.
3. Check behind furniture
When was the last time you looked behind your couch, bed or large pieces of furniture?
Furniture positioned closely against walls can restrict airflow, particularly along external walls. During your spring clean, move larger pieces where possible and check behind them for condensation, damp patches or other signs that moisture has been lingering.
Even creating a little more space between furniture and the wall can help improve airflow.
4. Take a closer look at your laundry
The laundry is one of the most moisture-prone areas of the home.
Washing machines, dryers and wet clothes can all contribute moisture to the surrounding air. If you're drying clothes indoors, try to do so in a well-ventilated area and avoid leaving damp clothes sitting around for long periods.
While you're there, check around your washing machine, hoses and nearby walls for any signs of leaks or persistent dampness.
5. Check under sinks and around plumbing
Small leaks don't always make themselves obvious.
Take a look underneath kitchen and bathroom sinks, around taps and near exposed pipes. Check for damp cupboards, water stains, swollen cabinetry or areas that feel unusually wet.
Catching a small plumbing issue early can help prevent a much bigger moisture problem later.
6. Check your bathroom ventilation
Hot showers create a lot of moisture, which is why good bathroom ventilation is so important.
Make sure your exhaust fan is working properly and actually removing moisture from the room. It's also worth giving the fan cover a clean, as dust buildup can affect airflow.
Where possible, leave the exhaust fan running during and after a shower to help clear humid air.
7. Pay attention to rooms that feel different
Sometimes your home can give you clues before you notice an obvious problem.
Is one room noticeably more stuffy, humid or damp than the rest of the house? Does a particular cupboard always feel slightly clammy? Are you noticing condensation in the same area repeatedly?
These can all be useful signs that moisture isn't being properly managed in that space.
How can you manage excess moisture at home?
You don't need to completely overhaul your home to improve moisture levels. A few simple habits can make a difference:
- Open windows when weather and outdoor conditions allow.
- Use exhaust fans when showering and cooking.
- Avoid drying large amounts of laundry in poorly ventilated rooms.
- Give wardrobes and cupboards some breathing room.
- Keep an eye out for leaks and condensation.
- Consider using a moisture absorber in enclosed or moisture-prone spaces.
Products such as moisture absorbers can be particularly useful in areas where ventilation is limited, including wardrobes, cupboards, bathrooms, laundries, caravans and other enclosed spaces.
Spring is a good time to check before there's a problem
A little extra moisture around the home might not seem like a big deal, but consistently damp conditions can create an environment where problems can develop.
That's why spring is a great time to check the areas of your home that may have stayed damp throughout winter. A quick inspection, some improved ventilation and a few simple moisture-control habits can help you get your home ready for the warmer months.
Don't wait until you notice a bigger problem. Use your spring clean as an opportunity to check, clean and manage moisture throughout your home.
Looking for an easy way to manage excess moisture?
Explore Allstate Healthcare's range of moisture absorbers designed to help manage excess moisture in enclosed spaces around your home, car and other areas where humidity can be a concern.