Damp and mould in the kitchen
Cooking, washing up and drying clothes in the kitchen put litres of water into the air every day. If the cooker hood only recirculates or the cooker runs on gas, the steam stays indoors.
What it usually is
Mould behind tall units, in the ceiling corners and around the window; windows streaming after dinner.
A warped or smelly sink cabinet, a patch near the floor behind the washing machine, a turning water meter.
A patch with an outline that gets worse with rain or appears below the upstairs neighbour's kitchen.
What to check
- Whether the cooker hood has a duct to the outside or only a charcoal filter (it recirculates the steam).
- Inside the sink cabinet: swollen wood, a smell, drops on the trap.
- Behind the washing machine and the fridge, near the floor.
- Whether the cooker or water heater runs on gas and there is a ventilation grille.
What you can do today
- 01Cook with lids on and run the hood from the start until 10 minutes afterwards.
- 02Open the window for 5 minutes after cooking or washing up by hand.
- 03Move tall units 2–3 cm away from outside walls, if possible.
- 04Check the sink trap and the appliance connections — a slow leak can go unseen for months.
Guides for this room
Frequently asked questions
No. The charcoal filter holds grease and smells, but the water vapour goes back into the kitchen. If you can't vent outside, open the window while and after cooking.
Units against an outside wall stop warm air from heating it. The wall ends up colder than the rest of the room, and that is where the kitchen steam condenses.