Moisture and the appearance of mold are one of the most annoying situations in any home. Most homes in Zakynthos do have a problem due to our climate.
A really good post just recently added to our local newspaper HMERA gives some really good advise about the invader that not many know how to deal with..
Mold!! That green or black stuff that appears in most Zakynthian homes. It usually grows on the surface of anything that has gotten wet.
Here are some tips to help you fix the problem or protect your home.
1. Do not leave wet surfaces in your home for hours. Also, after rain, make sure you dry or at least shield any surface that needs protection so that no water gets inside your home.
2. If there isn’t a decent airflow inside the house, excess moisture may appear on the walls, windows and floors. To avoid this situation, remember to leave the doors of the rooms open, move the furniture so they do not touch the walls, and even open your closet doors. In this way you allow fresh air to reduce moisture and prevent the mold from growing. A tip… and over the years it has worked for me….. try not to open your windows or doors before 10.00a.m and always close them before 15.00p.m. Dampness in Zakynthos sets in early, usually in the afternoon. Keeping dampness out of your home is a definite plus to reduce the effects of mold.
3. Add Plants to Your Space: Plants have the ability to reduce the moisture in areas. Just be careful not to water them with too much water though as they will absorb the moisture of your home anyway.
4. By purchasing a dehumidifier levels of humidity will be reduced making your home less hospitable to mold and mildew.
Oh! and if you have mold and want to get rid of it, try cleaning it with bleach. Just a quick spray on the affected areas and you will notice immediately the mold disappearing. For those difficult areas you will need to put a bit of an effort and scrub it off before your walls become white once again. If you wish to try a less toxic way then salt apparently does the trick too.