Over the years, I’ve experienced a few casualties thanks to mould – most notably a vintage leather jacket I bought in a thrift shop in Melbourne. I’m not sure I’m over it. Mould – the fuzzy fungus that grows on damp walls, in the bathroom, or on old bread (and makes Roquefort delicious) – has been going to town this winter here in Sydney thanks to our unusually high rainfall. In fact, Sydney experienced its wettest August in 27 years – and as mould thrives in moist, warm environments, it wasn’t looking good.
New data from Airtasker, the Sydney-based outsourcing company, has found Australia’s mouldiest hotspots – and sadly, Sydney has ranked as the mouldiest capital city in the country.
To uncover Australia’s most mouldy cities and regions, Airtasker analysed several factors, including Google search data, internal data on the number of mould removal tasks by region, climate factors such as humidity, rainfall and temperature, and dwelling conditions. They found that over the past five years, Sydney has recorded 120 per cent more mould removal jobs on Airtasker compared to the national average, and has the highest number of mould-related Google searches per 100,000 residents. Our city’s damp climate, combined with a large proportion of older homes, has contributed to its high mouldiness score of 92.48 out of 100. Gulp.
Taking the mouldy cake as Australia’s mouldiest region is Sydney's Eastern Suburbs – which includes Bondi, Coogee and Bronte – with a mouldiness score of 61.32 out of 100. Four other Sydney areas cracked the top ten, including the City and Inner South, North Sydney and Hornsby, the Northern Beaches, and the Inner West.
Holiday spots Cairns, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast in Queensland and Richmond–Tweed in northern New South Wales also made the top ten, proving the link between tropical and subtropical climates and a heightened risk of mould infestation.
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Anthony Johnson, certified mould remediation specialist on Airtasker, says that when left untreated, mould can result in a range of health issues including allergies, respiratory problems, headaches and brain fog. Thankfully, he’s got tips to keep it under control.
“To prevent mould, keeping humidity under control is key. To reduce humidity in the home, simple steps like installing a dehumidifier, fixing leaks promptly, drying clothes outside, using air conditioning and improving airflow can make a big difference. Bathrooms are the number-one hotspot for mould, so proper ventilation is essential. Ceiling vents work best, especially when placed directly above the shower, as wall vents often don’t remove moisture effectively. Around the house, keep windows and curtains open where possible to let in fresh air and sunlight.”
Johnson says you can treat small patches of mould with supermarket mould spray and a dry cloth. “But for larger infestations, or when it appears on porous materials like couches, mattresses, or other furniture, it’s best to call in a professional,” he adds.
The 10 mouldiest regions in Australia:
- Sydney (Eastern Suburbs), NSW – 61.32
- Cairns, QLD – 60.67
- Sydney (City and Inner South), NSW – 58.04
- Sydney (North Sydney and Hornsby), NSW – 55.95
- Richmond–Tweed, NSW – 52.55
- Sydney (Northern Beaches), NSW – 52.55
- Sunshine Coast, QLD – 51.91
- Gold Coast, QLD – 51.71
- Sydney (Inner West), NSW – 51.52
- West and North West, TAS – 51.20
Thank god spring is here.
Check out the data here.