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Indoor humidity and mould
Comfortable, healthy indoor air sits at roughly 30–50% relative humidity. Too damp and you get mould and dust mites; too dry and your skin, eyes and airways feel it.
Damp is the bigger problem
Persistently high humidity is what lets mould grow on walls, window reveals and behind furniture, and it is what dust mites thrive in — both can irritate airways and trigger allergies and asthma. Condensation on the inside of cold windows in the morning is the classic warning sign.
What to do
The fixes are mostly about moisture and air: run the extractor fan when cooking or showering, dry laundry outside or in a ventilated room, keep furniture a little off external walls, and air the home daily. If damp persists, a dehumidifier or fixing the underlying cold spot or leak is the real answer — wiping mould away without lowering the humidity just brings it back.
Too dry in winter
In winter, heating can push indoor air below 30%, leaving skin, lips and eyes dry and airways more prone to irritation. Drying laundry indoors, houseplants or a humidifier nudge it back up. If you use a humidifier, keep it clean, or it becomes a source of the very mould you are avoiding.
| Indoor humidity | What it means |
|---|---|
| Below 30% | Too dry — dry skin, irritated airways, static |
| 30–50% | The healthy, comfortable range |
| 50–60% | Acceptable; watch it in winter |
| Above 60% | Mould and dust-mite risk rises |
Widespread or returning mould, especially with a musty smell or breathing symptoms, is worth acting on quickly and asking a doctor about if anyone in the home has asthma or allergies.
More on a healthier home
Bedroom temperature for sleep
A cool room helps you fall asleep and stay asleep. The usual sweet spot is around 16–19 °C.
Tap water and water hardness
In most of Europe tap water is safe and well tested. "Hard" or "soft" is about minerals, not safety.
Radon in the home
An invisible ground gas that builds up indoors in some areas. The only way to know your level is to test.
Ventilation and indoor air (CO₂)
Stuffy air is mostly a ventilation problem. Rising CO₂ tracks it and dents concentration.
Source: General building-health guidance (WHO indoor-air and radon references and national health and water authorities). · checked 2026-09-04
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop condensation on my windows?
Condensation means warm, moist indoor air is meeting cold glass. Air the room daily, run extractor fans, avoid drying washing indoors, and if it persists, reduce humidity with a dehumidifier or improve the window insulation.
Is a little mould dangerous?
A small patch from a one-off spill can be cleaned and dried. Recurring or spreading mould signals a humidity or damp problem to fix at the source, and it can worsen asthma and allergies.
See what actually improves your sleep
TempoLife tracks sleep, hydration and more, so a change at home becomes a visible trend.