Mold is a type of fungi that grows in multicellular structures called hyphae. Hyphae produce mold spores that are found indoors and outdoors. Although mold spores are found everywhere, in order to grow, mold requires moisture. Given how much time homeowners use appliances like washing machines, heating systems, air conditioning systems, and refrigerators, it should stand to reason that regular service and cleaning is critical. In reality, many homeowners neglect the importance of regularly cleaning appliances to prevent and eliminate mold.
Where Can Mold Grow?
- Appliances when preventative measures are ignored.
- Clogged drains.
- Damp areas including bathrooms, kitchens, attics, and basements.
- Paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products.
- Places with moisture, such as around leaks in roofs, windows, and pipes, or where there has been flooding.
- Poorly ventilated appliances.
- Water leaks are left untreated.
Signs of Mold in Appliances
- Dark spots on appliances.
- Mold tends to hide in the dark areas of appliances, including the seals around the doors.
Health Implications of Home Appliance Mold
- According to the CDC, mold can negatively affect one’s health.
- Exposure to mold causes a variety of symptoms from including a stuffy nose, coughing, throat irritation, or skin irritation.
- If you suffer from mold allergies, chronic lung disease like asthma, or a compromised immune system, expect more severe reactions or infections as the result of mold exposure.
Health Implications of Home Appliance Mold
1. Dishwashers
- Run the heat dry cycle and leave the door ajar before unloading.
- Run a clean cycle once a week to ensure cleanliness.
- Regularly remove trapped food particles.
- Remove dishwasher racks and wash them separately to remove caked-on debris or water scale.
- Spray down appliance insides with a mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and water.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and run a hot wash cycle with nothing but a bowl of vinegar in the top rack.
2. Refrigerators
Refrigerators give off notoriously pungent odors if they’ve been left to cultivate mold.
- Create a combination of detergent, fungicide, and warm water.
- Use this solution to scrub refrigerators surfaces, shelves, and storage bins.
- Regularly clean refrigerator contents.
- Deep-clean the refrigerator every few months with the detergent, fungicide, and warm water solution.
- Clean any spills as soon as they occur.
3. Laundry Machines
- The insides of washing machines hold a lot of moisture which is a prime breeding ground for mold spores and other harmful indoor bacteria.
- Stave off bacterial growth by using soap and water to clean the machine’s gasket.
- Regular cleaning cycles followed by empty cycles with hot water keep washing machines sanitary and smelling clean.
Southwest Florida's Most Trusted Appliance Service
Worried about moldy appliances? Call the repair team at Appliance Doctor Inc. today.
Despite your best prevention efforts, mold may still grow in your appliances. Appliance Doctor Inc. understands the innate need for refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, washer, dryer, dishwasher, microwave, oven, range, and disposal functionality. As a locally owned and operated company, we regularly service appliances all over Southwest Florida.
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To discover more about the common causes of appliance mold, connect with us online or call Appliance Doctor Inc. today!
