... remove mould from my home?
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If you come across small amounts of mould in your home you may want to remove them yourself before they get any worse. Here are some of our tips for how to remove mould, and when to leave it to the professionals.
How do I advocate for myself?
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If you have concerns with how your condition is being managed, or any questions about aspergillosis and its treatment, you may find yourself needing speak up on behalf of yourself. Most people will be able to do this for themselves, or with help from family and friends, but some may need an independent advocate to help them express their wishes and make informed decisions about their condition. Here are our tips for advocating for yourself, or finding an independent advocate.
How do I remove mould from my washing machine?
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Washing machines might not seem like the most obvious place for mould to grow, but if they're not looked after properly they can provide the perfect conditions for the build up of mould and bacteria. Here are some of our tips for removing mould from your washing machine and keeping it clean:
Cleaning:
Either get a family member or friend without a condition complicated by mould to help you, or make sure you are wearing an appropriate mask and rubber gloves for the job.
Take out the dispenser drawer if possible and wash it in hot soapy water. If you can't remove it, clean it as well as you can and use a pipe cleaner or toothbrush to reach around the back.
Don't remove the rubber door seal but pull it back and clean underneath with hot soapy water and/or mould remover. Dry it thoroughly.
Using either a cup of bleach or a washing machine cleaner, put your machine on for the longest, hottest spin cycle - some machines even have a cleaning cycle. Make sure you check your manual first as some companies discourage the use of certain products in their machines and it may invalidate your guarantee if you use them.
If, after cleaning the drawer and seal thoroughly and running several cleaning washes, there is still a smell of mould you may have a clogged drain or filter, or mould growing behind the back of the drum. To solve this problem you may need to seek professional help.
Prevention:
Once you have cleaned your washing machine you should consider the following tips to prevent the build up happening again:
Only use the recommended volume of detergent/fabric conditioner, as residues left over can provide perfect conditions for mould to grow.
Between washes, leave the door and dispenser drawer open to allow air to circulate around the machine.
Dry the rubber seal after each cycle.
Check the drawer and seal regularly, and run a cleaning cycle once a month.
NOTE Disinfectants containing quaternary ammonium salts, bleach, alcohol & hydrogen peroxide have recently (2017 study on heavy occupational exposure) been implicated as a risk factor for increasing the incidence of COPD. We don't yet know why it does this or if it is a hazard to domestic users, but assuming it is caused by the fumes released, ensure you clean in a well ventilated area and wear waterproof gloves to prevent skin contact. Cleaning products containing these chemicals are used very widely - if in any doubt check the list of chemicals contained in any product (bleach is often referred to as sodium hypochlorite). Quaternary ammonium salts go by several different chemical names so if in doubt check against the list published here under 'antimicrobials'
If you can't find an alternative disinfectant and don't want to use one of the irritant disinfectants listed above then you might follow guidelines suggested by the US EPA which suggest just using a simple detergent and thoroughly drying the wetted surfaces.
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How do I get vaccinated?
Illnesses such as the flu can be very dangerous for aspergillosis sufferers. To prevent yourself from becoming unwell we recommend you have the following vaccinations, as well as any other standard vaccines recommended in your country:
How do I do a disability assessment?
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In order to claim government help for living with a disability you will have to complete a disability assessment. This can be a stressful and demanding experience, so we have gathered some helpful tips from those who have already been through the process.
Keep all of your medical records and letters and make sure you have access to online records and appointments. On the day of the interview, take a copy of all the paperwork with you, so you can refer to it if needed.
Try and keep a diary of all of your symptoms and the effects that they have on your life for a few months before your assessment. Symptoms that may have become routine for you are still severe and need to be mentioned. "Mention every little niggle".
Speak to Citizens Advice, or the equivalent in other countries, as they are experienced in navigating the large amounts of paperwork and helping you prepare for the interview. Often people are in a difficult emotional state when trying to fill in assessments, and having the support from a third party is a big help.
When asked about your symptoms and how your condition affects your life, think about how you are on your worst days. A 'good' day to you almost certainly still involves many wearing symptoms, so make sure you don't accidentally gloss over anything.
If you're in the UK, look at subscribing to the Benefits and Work website. They have guides to applying for UK disability benefits, and some of our patients have found their diary templates and wording examples very useful.
Look or ask for tips from others on the Aspergillosis public and private Facebook support groups. Also join groups such as The ESA DLA UC & PIP Survival Guide, or the equivalent in other countries.
If you don't get all you need from your first interview, appeal. Some departments have targets to reach for the first interview, but on appeal you may be more likely to succeed. Even if that's not the case, you will be better prepared the second time around.
Ensuring aspergillosis is recognised as a severe health condition: As aspergillosis is such a rare condition, those drawing up disability guidelines may not be familiar with the disease. The more people know about aspergillosis, the better! The best way to do this in the UK is to get in touch with your local MP and ask them to check with the Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work, to ensure that aspergillosis is included as a long-term, incurable, debilitating condition. Refer your MP to the National Aspergillosis Centre for more information. The more people advocating for aspergillosis patients, the more well-known and understood a condition it will become.
For more information:
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How do I keep my home dry?
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Many everyday tasks can produce large amounts of moisture in your home, which can encourage the growth of moulds. Here are some of our tips for reducing moisture and increasing ventilation in your home. If you think the damp is a result of a more deep-rooted problem in your home, read our guide to finding the source of the damp.
Kitchen and Bathroom:
If you have extractor fans, ensure you always use them while cooking or using the bath/shower.
Keep the kitchen and bathroom doors shut while cooking or washing to prevent moisture spreading to other rooms of the house.
Keep the window open while cooking or washing (or straight after using the bathroom if it's too cold to leave it open while you're in there!)
Put lids on pans while cooking and don't leave them boiling for any longer than necessary.
General:
If possible dry your clothes outside - this helps prevent damp spreading and saves you money. If you can only dry them indoors, make sure you leave a window open in the room they're drying in. Do not dry clothes on radiators - this leads to lots of condensation being produced and prevents heat from circulating effectively. If you have a tumble dryer, make sure it is ventilated to outside. Hang wet coats/shoes in an outside porch or garage area if possible.
Make sure air can always circulate around your house - leave several windows open during the day.
Try and put furniture against inside walls (walls between rooms) as outside walls are cooler which can cause condensation. Don't put furniture right against the walls - instead leave a small gap, to allow air to circulate between the wall and furniture.
Never completely block a chimney up. Make sure to fit an air vent so the chimney is still ventilated.
Use thermostats and times to make sure your heating only comes on when needed and automatically turns off when the temperature is right.
Don't over fill wardrobes or cupboards. Leave the door slightly ajar to encourage air circulation.
Wipe condensation off window panes and showers - you could even buy a handheld Kaercher vacuum (pictured) to help you with this.
Top tip! A study has shown that allowing sunlight into your home may help reduce microbial colonies associated with dust. So, it might be an idea to keep your curtains open as much as possible during the day! Read the paper here.
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How do I find the source of the damp?
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There are 3 key types of damp: condensing, rising and penetrating. Here are our tips for working out which is affecting your house, and how to deal with the problem.
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If you are getting close to damp and mouldy conditions you should wear a face mask. Click here for information on choosing a face mask.
Condensing damp: Condensing damp is a particular problem in badly ventilated rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms. Look out for signs such as steamed up windows, peeling wallpaper, black spotty mildew and water running down the walls. Condensing damp can also be found in less obvious places, such as blocked in fireplaces without vents and underneath laminated flooring with no air circulation. To solve this problem you need to increase the ventilation and ensure the area is properly heated. Opening windows to improve air circulation and fitting vents and extractor fans will help - in severe cases a dehumidifier might also be a good idea. Avoid non-porous paints and wall coverings as these will prevent air from circulating.
Rising damp: This is less obvious to spot as most of the evidence is below floor level. Often the smell is an indicator before you can see the damp, but in bad cases you can see patches above the skirting boards. If left unchecked the damp can cause damage to brick, concrete and wood, and can lead to wet and dry rot. You may need to have a chemical damp-proof course injected into the walls of your building to prevent the damp from rising any further. This is subject to regulations and should only be carried out by a reputable company who can provide you with the guarantee needed for selling your house or making an insurance claim.
Penetrating damp: This can be identified by damp patches on the wall, wet and crumbly plaster, mould/mildew on the walls, or even wet surfaces. Causes can include external damage, such as tiles missing, leaking downpipes, damaged pebbledash and ill-fitting windows and doors. On the ground level it can be a result of the ground outside being higher than the damp proof course designed to prevent water leaking through the walls, or blocking the air flow bricks designed to allow ventilation. Make sure your house is well maintained and any damage is quickly fixed. Check roofs regularly by looking for any signs of water leaking in. Keep areas around damp-proof courses and air bricks clear. In naturally damp, cool places such as basements, leave a heater constantly on a low heat to reduce moisture.
For more information:
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How do I buy a face mask?
Fungi produce tiny spores that are very common in the environment. In certain situations, you may be exposed to high levels of spores, which can be especially dangerous for aspergillosis patients. Wearing a face mask can protect you from the risk of high exposure, especially if activities such as gardening are a favourite hobby, or even your job. Here are some of our recommendations.
