Stop Your Curtains Getting Damp and Mouldy
It’s time to bid farewell to summer for another year and start facing the reality that soon it’s going to be cold and damp for a while. As we enter those colder months and condensation appears on the windows, we thought it was a good time to share some tips on preventing mould and mildew growing on your curtains.
What makes mould and mildew grow?
Interestingly, it’s not directly the condensation on your windows that causes mould and mildew because most curtains don’t come into contact with it. Mould and mildew grow when there’s moisture and warmth in the home, which condensation does contribute to.
Just like everything absorbent in your home, as temperatures go up the moisture in the air evaporates and is absorbed into the fabric. As they cool, the moisture changes back from its gaseous state to being closer to its liquid form. In absorbing this moisture they also take in any bacteria it holds. Repeated over time, this is what causes the nasty growths.
The difference between mould and mildew
Mould is a broad term that encompasses multiple identical nuclei and can grow beneath and penetrate the surface of affected material. Mildew is a type of mould that grows on the surface and can therefore be much more easily treated/removed. When it’s live, moulds are orangey or reddish in colour. The black patches we see are actually the hibernating mould spores waiting for the sun to warm them up and bring them back to life.
Where does all this moisture come from?
We live in a pretty humid climate in New Zealand at the best of times; in some areas it’s even greater. But it’s not all weather related. Cooking, showering, drying clothes, unflued gas heaters and simply breathing and existing all produce moisture content within our homes.
Preventing moisture build up and/or drying out your home
• Install a home ventilation system of some kind.
• Crack the windows a little during the day to allow a bit of cool air to flow through your home. North facing windows are best.
• Get a dehumidifier. Emptying this once a day (or more!) will really open your eyes to how much moisture is in your home. Remember the science though, you need to warm the air (and thus the moisture in it) before the dehumidifier can suck it in and remove it.
• Pop a DampRid moisture absorber container on the windowsill behind the curtains.
• Install a ShowerDome and extractor fan in the bathroom.
• Make sure your clothes dryer is vented to the outside.
• Install a rangehood in the kitchen and use lids on pots and pans.
• Change the curtain rail brackets to 80 or 100mm so the curtains are further from the walls and the windows allowing for more air circulation. Bear in mind however, this will likely lower their thermal insulating capabilities.
• Invest in double-glazing. Although this does not prevent mildew it can work to slow the onset.
• Minimise what mould growth feeds on. Clean soft furnishings regularly, clean windows and wipe down window surrounds with warm soapy water.
• Check plumbing for leaks.
• Maintaining an even inside temperature throughout the house helps stop moist air from condensing.
• Insulate well. Start with the ceilings and under floor as a priority, then the walls.
• Close curtains/blinds as soon as the sun goes down.
Don’t worry if it’s too late - Curtain Clean can treat and remove mould and mildew from your curtains. Call us on 0800 579 0501 or visit curtainclean.co.nz to find out more.
Poll: Have you ever been bullied?
People associate bullying with children in schools, but it can actually stretch beyond childhood to workplaces or neighbourhoods.
This Friday is Pink Shirt Day, which began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed for wearing pink. People across the globe are now encouraged to wear pink on this day to take a stand against bullying and promote inclusivity.
Have you or your whānau ever experienced bullying? Share your thoughts on Pink Shirt Day below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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80.1% Yes
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19.6% No
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0.4% Other - I'll share below
Karori Farmers Market - Every Saturday - 8am - 1pm
Join us this Saturday for the Karori Farmers Market at Campbell Corner in Karori from 9am - 1pm!
This weeks stallholders include:
- AroBake - Breads & Bakery
- Joolino Foods - Biltong, Smoked Cheese, Smoked Salts & Olives
- Alyx's Sweet Bakery - Cakes, Scones & Slices
- Chippa NZ - South American Cheese Snacks
- Farm Fresh Eggs
- Costa Nostra - Traditional Italian Pizza
- The Crunchy Munchy - International Fusion Cuisine
- And much more....
Vacancies at Volunteer Wellington
🌟Two opportunities to join our team! 🌟
➡️ Manager Member Services
This is a part time role working 25 hours per week.
In this busy and varied role, you will be managing and developing our member services programme which will include expanding the membership base, raising the profile of the volunteer sector, and developing meaningful relationships with key organisations.
Bringing experience across the NFP/Volunteer sector will be the foundation to your success. You will be experienced in managing and developing a member services programme, be proactive, truly believe in the value of volunteering and have a strong community focus.
You will be required to work all day Monday and Wednesdays with the rest of the hours to be negotiated around what works for you. Working in a small team of 8 passionate people, you will have a great level of support and assistance around you, to deliver great results.
The day-to-day responsibilities will include: leading the Member Services Programme; retaining and growing membership; developing and delivering resources; attending events and evaluating the service offerings of our organisation.
The preferred candidate will: have experience working in a NFP/NGO/Charitable organisation; have a passion for volunteering with experience or exposure to volunteer services; with strong communication skills and exceptional customer service.
If this sounds like an opportunity you would like to discuss further and you have the relevant skills and experience, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via the Forte Recruitment link below:
🌐 forterecruitment.co.nz...
➡️ Coordinator Preparation for Employment programme
Fixed term contract: 20 hours per week
Are you someone who enjoys making a difference in people's lives?
We are seeking a part time Coordinator for our successful Preparation for Employment Programme on a one year fixed term contract from 1 June 2024 to July 2025. You will work closely with people on a main Work and Income benefit and support them into volunteering as a pathway into employability. Our goal is to help remove some of the barriers to sustainable employment for our clients and we know volunteering is a great pathway towards this. You will be required to work all day Monday and Wednesdays with the rest of the hours to be negotiated around what works for you.
Primary Objectives of the role include: engaging with, and motivating our Work and Income clients to identify their strengths and overcome their barriers to employment; accurately recording information and fulfill accountability reporting criteria. Building relationships with key Work and Income staff and with our community membership is essential to develop meaningful support to the clients.
To be successful in this role you will have: motivational interviewing interviewing skills; experience with one to one mentoring; empathy and an ability to motivate and build confidence in clients; an awareness of the complexities and impacts of being out of the paid workforce. And above all patience, perseverance, and a positive attitude. If this sounds like you please apply via the seek link below:
🌐 tinyurl.com...
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