Certain rooms in the house are far more prone to suffering from mould than others – those spots that are frequently subjected to high moisture levels and fluctuating temperatures. Bathrooms are an obvious one, but mould can also be an issue in utility rooms.
Utility rooms are hardworking spaces and we tend to expect a great deal from them – they might be where you do your laundry and hang wet clothes to dry, or maybe your room doubles up as a dog washing station or is simply the place you leave smell, soggy sports clothing before you get round to dealing with it. All of these activities produce moisture – and moisture, when left to do its thing, can lead to mould.
Whether you have spotted some troublesome signs of mould in your utility room or are just keen to avoid it appearing in the first place, our expert-led guide has all the advice you need to keep the space fresh, clean and airy.
Article continues belowWhy does mould appear in utility rooms?
In order to prevent having to deal with mould removal in the first place, it is useful to understand what causes it to appear.
"It’s mainly because you have a lot of moisture being produced in what is often a small space," explains Michael Zohouri, founder of Pyramid Eco. "Washing machines, tumble dryers and sinks all release humidity. If that moisture isn’t removed it settles on cold surfaces. These rooms are usually located on external walls and in extensions, so the insulation is not always as good as the rest of the house. That means the wall temperature can stay low, and when warm moist air hits it you get condensation. Once that cycle starts happening regularly, mould will follow."
Sam Carter, radiator expert at Appliances Direct, offers some additional advice on the cause of mould in a utility room. “Utility rooms often lack the consistent heat of a living room, but deal with ten times the moisture. Without an escape route, that moisture settles on cold walls or behind cupboards or appliances where airflow is stagnant – mould thrives in damp conditions."
So now you know the cause, but what can you do to prevent it? Here are Sam and Michael's top tips.
Michael Zohouri is the founder of Pyramid Eco, bringing over a decade of experience to the company. His expertise spans energy-efficient retrofitting projects, including insulation, solar, and heat pump installations.
With over four years of experience in eCommerce, Sam Carter is responsible for the customer journey of the HVAC & Heating categories at Appliances Direct. He specialises in translating complex data - from radiator BTU outputs to dehumidifier extraction rates into expert advice that helps customers buy with confidence.
1. Invest in a dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers come in handy for all kinds of rooms, taking excess moisture out of the air and keeping humidity levels nice and stable.
"When it comes to tackling utility room moisture, a dehumidifier isn't just a helpful gadget – it’s arguably one of the most effective tools you can invest in," picks up Sam Carter. "A dehumidifier physically removes water from the air, getting to the root of the very problem.
"Where the best dehumidifiers really shine is their 'laundry mode', a high-fan setting specifically designed to speed up the drying process for clothes on a horse. Instead of letting moisture hang heavy in the air for hours (which will seep through the walls and make the room feel clammy), the dehumidifier actively pulls it out of the environment," continues Sam. "This circulates drier air over your wet clothes to speed things along.
"There is also a nice financial upside to this, as dehumidifier running costs when used on laundry mode can be up to three times cheaper than using a tumble dryer," continues Sam. "This saves you money on your energy bills and is a lot gentler on your fabrics. It's one of those rare upgrades that tackles the symptoms (damp air) and the cause (drying laundry) at the same time, making it the true heavyweight champion of utility room ventilation."
Shop dehumidifiers
This well-priced dehumidifier can remove up to 12 litres of moisture per day and is suitable for rooms up to 15m2. It also has a laundry drying mode, 24-hour timer and will sound an alarm when the tank is full.
With two speed settings, laundry drying mode and the ability to remove up to 20 litres of moisture a day, this dehumidifier is suitable for spaces up to 20m2 yet is quiet to run – 38dB in fact.
Set on smooth-rolling castors that make it easy to move around, this neat little dehumidifier can remove 16 litres of moisture per day as well as help dry laundry and also has two speed settings.
2. Keep the space at a consistent temperature
Not only are inconsistent temperatures uncomfortable to live with, but they can also lead to a range of more serious issues – mould included.
"Your utility room heating plays a far more important role than simply keeping the room comfortable; it's actually the first line of defence against damp by strategically managing the temperature of your walls," explains Sam Carter. "Every surface has a 'dew point', the temperature at which air can no longer hold water vapor and it turns into liquid. When warm, moisture-laden air from your washing machine or drying laundry hits a freezing-cold wall, this is what happens – instant condensation forms and mould follows straight after.
"A radiator or other heating source can keep the actual wall surface temperature above that critical dew point, preventing the very conditions that allow damp to take hold in the first place," continues Sam. "The trick is consistency rather than intensity. If you blast the radiator on high for an hour, it might make the air feel toasty, but really, it does little to warm up the thermal mass of a cold external wall. If the wall stays cold while the air warms up, you’ve actually created the perfect storm for condensation.
"Keeping the radiator on a low, steady setting is far more effective," advises Sam. "Thermostatic radiator valves or smart valves come into their own here as they maintain that background warmth instantly, ensuring the room never drops into the danger zone."
3. Address your ventilation methods
The home ventilation methods you use in your house are key to keeping it feeling fresh and clean, so if you haven't given much thought to how you will ventilate your utility room, now is the time.
"The key is to control moisture at the source and remove it quickly. In most cases that means proper mechanical extraction rather than relying on a window alone," picks up Michael Zohouri. "A humidity-controlled extractor fan is the best solution for most homes. It runs automatically when moisture levels rise.
"In most cases, a properly sized extractor fan is the most reliable way to control humidity in a utility space," continues Michael. "The important thing is that the fan is matched to the size of the room and the amount of moisture being produced. Even the best bathroom extractor fans won't be enough if they are too small and you have a washing machine and dryer running regularly.
"The ducting also needs to be installed correctly," adds Michael. "Long runs through cold loft spaces should be insulated to stop condensation forming inside the duct, and the outlet should be properly sealed to prevent cold air coming back in otherwise your extractor fan could make the room colder."
4. Check for cold spots on walls
And, finally, cold spots on walls and draughts are more than just annoying – they can also lead to mould if not investigated and dealt with quickly.
"It’s worth checking for small gaps around pipework or in external walls as well, as these can create cold spots," says Michael Zohouri. "And avoid packing the room too tightly. If air cannot circulate around appliances and cupboards, those areas stay damp longer."
Check the insulation within the walls of the room – poor insulation can lead to these cold spots, and draught proof windows and doors too.
FAQs
Do you have to have a window in a utility room?
This is a common question, but it is interesting to note that you don't actually have to have a window in a utility room as it is not classed as a habitable space. That said, if you can incorporate one into your design, it will help a little when it comes to the battle against mould.
"A window helps, but it is usually not enough," points out Michael Zohouri. "In winter people tend to keep windows closed so the ventilation disappears when it is needed most.
"In a hard-working utility room I would always recommend mechanical extraction as well. You need something that removes moisture consistently. Good mechanical extraction in a utility room makes the biggest difference."
It is important to give plenty of thought to your utility room ideas – practical spaces need not be boring. You are likely to end up spending a fair amount of your time here carrying out day-to-day chores so it makes sense to get your design spot-on.
