Home Winter Wellness Checklist: Essential Tips for a Healthy, Mould-Free Home

Winter brings a unique set of challenges for maintaining a healthy home. As temperatures drop and the air gets colder, condensation, dampness, and stale air become more common—and, with them, the risk of mould growth. That’s why winter wellness matters not only for your comfort, but also for your health. Our healthy winter home tips  explore key strategies to boost winter wellness, protect indoor air quality, and prevent mould from undermining your wellbeing.

Why Winter Wellness Matters for Home Health

During winter, homes often become more sealed to conserve heat, reducing natural ventilation. This can trap moisture indoors, leading to higher humidity levels and condensation on cold surfaces. Without proper control, this moisture becomes a breeding ground for mould. Mould doesn’t just damage surfaces—it can also harm your health. According to the NHS, damp and mould increase the risk of respiratory problems, infections, allergies and asthma. NHS Inform

Exposure to indoor mould is clinically linked to a variety of health issues. The European Environment Agency reports that mould may contribute to allergic respiratory disease, asthma exacerbation, and respiratory infections. European Environment Agency Moreover, long-term exposure to damp and mould carries a significant public health burden. In England alone, it has been estimated to contribute to thousands of new asthma cases and respiratory infections annually. MDPI+1

“Mould in the home is linked to respiratory irritation and allergies, especially in damp environments. Tackling mould early is key to maintaining a healthy indoor space.”

Adam Shay, CEO, Residual Barrier technology Limited

Check Your Ventilation

One of the most effective ways to manage winter moisture is through good ventilation. While it may feel counterintuitive to open windows when it’s cold outside, even brief bursts of airflow can make a big difference.

• Use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms during and after activities that generate steam (like cooking or showering).
• Employ short, sharp airing (sometimes called “stosslüften”) by opening windows fully for few minutes to let fresh air in.
• For older homes, check that trickle vents (small vents built into window frames) are open. These allow constant, low-level airflow without a significant heat loss.

By maintaining airflow even in winter, you reduce the accumulation of moisture-laden air—this plays a critical role in mould prevention.

Control Indoor Humidity

Maintaining the right indoor humidity level is central to preventing mould. Experts generally recommend keeping relative humidity (RH) between 40 % and 60 %. However, in colder months many suggest targeting the lower end of that spectrum (around 40–45 %) to avoid condensation.

Here’s how to manage humidity effectively:

• Use a dehumidifier in particularly damp rooms. These machines extract moisture from the air, helping to stabilise humidity.
• Place moisture absorbers, such as silica gel packs or calcium-chloride-based desiccants, in smaller or problem areas.
• Avoid drying clothes indoors without proper ventilation. If you must dry laundry inside, do it in a room with open windows or a running fan.

Inspect for Mould Hotspots

Mould rarely appears uniformly, and some areas are more vulnerable than others. Regular inspection helps you catch early signs and act quickly. Focus on:

• Bathrooms, especially around tile grout, showers, and ceilings.
• Window frames and sills, where cold surfaces often attract condensation.
• Corners and edges of walls or ceilings, especially those that feel cooler or damper than the rest of the room.

Look for discolouration (black or green spots), a musty smell, or mould odour.

Click here to see our article on mould prevention in winter for more detailed advice.

Clean and Treat Surfaces

Once you identify potential mould areas, proper cleaning and treatment are essential:

1. If mould is present: Kill the mould at the source using a specialised solution to neutralise it.
2. Clean thoroughly: Wipe down surfaces like tiles, grout, skirting boards, and walls.
3. Apply a disinfectant solution: Use a long-lasting, mould-inhibiting solution to prevent regrowth.

For a comprehensive approach, consider RBT’s Mould Eradication Kit, which includes everything you need to safely kill, clean, and protect against mould—including PPE for your safety. It’s ideal for maintaining a healthy home throughout winter.

Improve Indoor Air Quality in Winter

Fresh, clean air is vital for winter home health:

• Air purifiers with HEPA filters reduce mould spores and allergens.

• Houseplants can improve air quality—avoid overwatering to prevent excess moisture.

• Regular inspections of high-risk areas (bathrooms, window frames, ceilings) and prompt removal of any mould help prevent recurrence.

By combining ventilation, dehumidification, purification, and proactive checks, you can reduce allergens and maintain a healthier indoor environment throughout winter.

To recap, your Winter Wellness Checklist should include:

1. Ensuring effective ventilation (fans, airing, trickle vents)
2. Controlling indoor humidity within the safe 40–60 % range
3. Inspecting for mould hotspots regularly
4. Cleaning and treating surfaces with specialist mould products
5. Enhancing indoor air quality through purifiers or sensible plant use

Mould prevention is not only about keeping surfaces clean—it’s about managing moisture, airflow, and treatment in a coordinated way. And once you identify mould, acting early is the most effective way to maintain a healthy indoor space: Removing mould at the source is the most effective way to improve indoor air quality. Once mould is eliminated, it can no longer release spores into your home.

Browse our range of mould prevention and cleaning solutions in our shop today to get your home ready for a healthier winter.