She said that she’d tried everything else (Stock Image) (Image: Roman Tyshchenko via Getty Images)
Battling mould can be a frustrating task. Mould typically thrives in areas with excessive moisture, such as walls, ceilings, or bathrooms, often due to condensation, leaks, or general dampness.
Once it has found its way in, it can prove stubborn to eliminate. A woman recently shared her predicament on ‘Am I The A**hole’ forum, explaining that she and her flatmate reside on the second floor of a converted Victorian flat in the UK, where her room is particularly susceptible to mould.
Despite the issue affecting her health, her flatmate has reportedly refused to address the problem. She revealed that some of her possessions had been “ruined” by the , leading her to keep her “window open throughout the day” – a practice known as lüften in Germany, which involves refreshing indoor air with fresh outdoor air.
However, the lüften method typically requires windows to be opened for just five minutes daily, whereas this tenant was leaving hers open constantly. “I’ve even placed a heavy desk beside it to prevent it from opening fully,” she added, but her ” is really annoyed about it”.
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She explained: “She keeps saying that it’s against the rules and that insurance won’t allow it. I believe I have taken enough precautions to ensure that no one can fit through the open window. While I understand her concerns, I feel like my health should come first.”
The worried occupant then sought advice on whether prioritising her well-being was unreasonable. Additionally, she elaborated on her extensive efforts to address the problem, stating: “I have done everything I can before just leaving the window open. I tried turning the heating on at a good temperature, 20-22C, opening the window 10-30 mins in the morning and at night, using a dehumidifier, wiping down any moisture on my window every morning, and putting my furniture 6 inches away (now 8 inches) away from the wall, clean the mould regularly with none bleach product as it seems to prone the growth of the mould.”
She continued by asserting that she avoids activities that could contribute to dampness, such as drying clothes or hair in the room, clarifying: “I don’t dry clothes in my room, nor do I dry my hair in the room (and even if I have to, I do it with the window open). I tried to tell the landlord about this, but they seem to think it’s just condensation and it’s normal, and they refuse to do anything. I have done all of these from November till January, and none of these things have helped to prevent the mould from reoccurring.”
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She admitted: “But this month (Feb), I have started to open the window throughout the day, and I actually see it works; no mould has come back, and my breathing is much better. Yeah, I might be the a**hole, but honestly, I’m happy I found a temporary solution.”
She also revealed that before she resorted to opening her windows, the humidity in her home was dangerously high at around 73%, soaring up to 82% at times despite other measures, but with her new approach, she’s managed to lower it to 63%. Debating her method in the comments, one critic claimed her remedy would only exacerbate the mould issue by keeping the windows open.
Someone said: “Ventilation is always the best option for damp and mould. It is absolutely recommended in the UK to open your windows year-round.”
They weren’t alone in their support; another chimed in: “Ever since a man from Germany told me about their practice of airing out their homes, I’ve been doing the same thing, and it’s made such a difference.”