The elephant in the room

During May and June, Londoners could be forgiven for thinking they are having hallucinations with 250 model elephants popping up all over the city. Each model is the size of a juvenile elephant and all have been individually painted by an artist or celebrity.

The aim of this art exhibition is to raise awareness of the plight of the Asian elephant. At the end of the exhibition the elephants will be auctioned off to provide funds to help the Asian elephant, together with UK conservation charities.

Elephants have always had a special place in human history, from the earliest woolly mammoths hunted for food, via the use of elephants to help with logging and other projects to our present attempts to conserve the elephant population. It is therefore strange that we use the phrase “the elephant in the room” to mean a subject that isn’t talked about.

When looking at keeping our houses clean, the elephant in the room is often mould. This can creep in to our homes almost unnoticed, a slight darkening of the wallpaper here, a vague shadow around the edge of the shower there. Before you know it, the mould spores have exploded and you are facing black scummy tiles, peeling wallpaper and disintegrating curtains. Because the change is gradual, it is too easy to ignore it until it is too late.

Caught in time, mould can be defeated. We know that there are products which blast mould with chlorine and other chemicals. However, there are also many environmentally friendly methods of mould eradication. Steam cleaning is an effective method of mould eradication for hard surfaces such as tiles or work surfaces. Steam cleaning can also be used on some curtains but as an alternative you could try hanging the curtains out on a sunny day and then brushing them with a soft fabric brush.

Other green methods of mould removal include vinegar, a paste made from baking powder, or wiping down with a mixture of lemon juice and peppermint. With all these preparations, test a small inconspicuous area first in case the cleaner stains your fabric.

The main problem when dealing with mould or mildew is to contain the spread of spores. Some people are allergic to mould spores and it is recommended that you always wear a face mask when tackling mould. You should expect that some spores will escape into the air when you are cleaning so follow up with a good deep clean a few days later.

Having removed your mould, you now need to stop it from coming back. Make sure that steamy areas such as kitchens and bathrooms are well ventilated. Then consider what sort of paint you are using. A wall covered with high gloss paint is an invitation to damp, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. Try using mould resistant paint or specialist bathroom and kitchen paints. Also check your insulation. Poorly insulated houses can be more prone to damp and mould, as can houses with old double glazing. Modern double glazing incorporates an air gap to assist with air circulation.

Treated properly your mould will disappear and you won’t have to worry about your elephant in the room any more. Take the time to relax and go on a stroll around London spotting those other more colourful model elephants before they disappear.