HUMIDITY HAPPENS.
MOULD DOES NOT HAVE TO.

Why island homes are prone to it

Warm air, high humidity and salt breeze are the everyday conditions in Barbados. Add a closed-up room, a leaking pipe or a wardrobe against an outside wall and mould has everything it needs. The aim is not to eliminate humidity, which is impossible here, but to stop moisture sitting in one place for long.

Daily habits that make the biggest difference

• Open windows on opposite sides of the home for a while each day so air moves through, ideally in the morning before the heat builds.
• Run the bathroom extractor fan, or leave the window open, for at least twenty minutes after a shower.
• Hang towels and bath mats where they can dry fully rather than folded over a rail.
• Leave a small gap between furniture and outside walls so air can circulate behind them.

Places to check each week

Look at the silicone around the bath and basin, the rubber seal of the washing machine door, the back of the fridge, ceiling corners in bathrooms, and the inside of wardrobes and shoe cupboards. A musty smell in a closed cupboard is an early warning. Wipe with a mild solution, dry the surface, and improve the airflow so it does not return.

Air conditioning and dehumidifiers

Clean or replace air conditioning filters regularly. A dirty filter holds moisture and dust and can push a musty smell around the room. In bedrooms that stay closed for the AC, a dehumidifier or moisture-absorber tub in the wardrobe helps clothes and shoes.

When to bring in help

A deep clean is the right time to tackle grout, tiles, ceiling corners and the inside of cupboards where mildew has taken hold. If a property has been closed up for weeks, for example a holiday home between visits, mention that when you request the clean so the scope reflects the condition.