Your home appliances which utilize water to perform daily tasks are at a higher risk for developing mold. This is because mold requires a moist, wet environment to grow. Furthermore, it prefers darker environments, which many appliances provide for mold to thrive. No one wants their appliances that hold food or are meant to clean items to get moldy. Fortunately, there are ways you can keep your appliances mold-free.

Preventing a Moldy Washing Machine

One of the most common appliances for mold to grow in is the washing machine. With all the water a washing machine uses and how dirty clothes can hold moisture, it’s one of the first things that comes to mind when thinking of moldy appliances. Depending on the type of washing machine that you have, mold can grow in a few different places. Front facing washing machines are more susceptible to mold growing on door edges and the drawer meant for loading detergent. On the other hand, top loading washing machines may be affected by mold lining the walls of the washing drum or even on the sides of the machine. Regardless of the type of machine you have, there are a few things you can do to prevent mold including:

• Don’t let your dirty laundry pile up. Dirty, wet clothes can begin to cultivate mold even before you put them in the washing machine. So, don’t let them sit too long. Get them in the wash before they can become the perfect environment for mold growth.
• Don’t let your clothes sit in the washing machine. We get it– it’s easier to load the washing machine than unload. IT’s also pretty easy to forget that you’ve put a load of wash in the machine. However, it’s best to switch clothes from the washing machine to the dryer as early as you can to prevent mold growth.
• Keep the washing machine door open when not in use. This will help to dry the washing machine out from any leftover dampness which can promote mold growth. Additionally, it allows for light to seep into the machine, which most types of mold are too fond of.
• Clean out the appliance routinely to provide an environment mold may not wish to grow.

Preventing a Moldy Dishwasher

Another common appliance to get moldy is the dishwasher. Unfortunately, the dishwasher provides the prime environment for mold to grow as it’s wet, dark, and offers many components for mold to sneakily reside. Without routine cleaning and checking in odd places, mold can quickly grow in your dishwasher, making your clean dishes at risk for carrying mold spores too. To keep your dishwasher from growing mold, you can do a few things like:

• Rinsing dishes before they are placed in the dishwasher. Mold likes to grow on food as well as wet surfaces.
• Leave the door of the dishwasher open after clean dishes are taken out to encourage drying.
• Press the “dry heat” option on the dishwasher to run a bacteria-killing cycle at least once a week.

Preventing a Mold Refrigerator

Finally, one of the last appliances to be at risk for mold growth is your refrigerator. And, this can be one of the most detrimental to health, as mold can grow on your food. If ingested, this can cause a number of health symptoms. While routine cleaning can help to prevent mold from growing in the fridge, there are a few other things you can do as well that include:

• Cleaning up anything that spills when you take food/drink in or out of the fridge
• Scrubbing in hard to reach places during your routine cleanings
• Drying shelving and drawers completely during a cleaning to ensure a dry atmosphere in your refrigerator

Experiencing a Mold Issue?

If you see mold growing in or around your appliances, there may be even more growing in other areas of your home. A home mold test can help to let you know about the extent of the mold in your home. And, professionals can help to remove the mold from your home to protect the health and safety of you and your loved ones.

If you’re looking for mold removal specialists in the South Florida area, A Plus Mold Remediation Inc. can help to test for mold and provide you with options for remediation. Contact us today for your quote!