Mold can grow on nearly any surface around your home. In particular, mold thrives on surfaces that are damp, cold, or both. This means many of your household appliances can be potential breeding grounds for mold and mildew growth.
It is also important to conduct regular checks and cleaning to ensure your home appliances remain clean and mold-free. Here are top home appliances you need to check to prevent mold growth:
HVAC Vents
Mold growth on your HVAC vents can risk your household’s health. The vents can effectively circulate mold spores throughout your home. This can cause coughing, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and other allergic reactions.
The easiest way to check for signs of mold or mildew is to take a look at the inside of the vents. You can also do a smell check: if your vents smell musty when you turn the fan or AC on, it’s time to clean out your vents. You can also call a local mold remediation team to help clean your vents or double-check them for mold growth.
Washing Machines
A quick way to check your washing machine for mold is to take a sniff after opening the washer door. If you’re hit with a blast of musty air, then you’ll likely find mold somewhere in the machine. The most common places where mold grows are around the door seal and the detergent drawer for front-load washers.Â
You can clean the gasket and drawer using either a mix of white vinegar, baking soda, and water or hot soapy water. Running an empty wash cycle with just hot water and bleach or baking soda will also help with mold growth prevention.
Meanwhile, the likely places for mold growth in top-load washers are between the drum and interior walls. For such cases, it is best to call in a professional cleaner for assistance to avoid damaging your washing machine in your attempt to clean it.
Refrigerators
Cleaning your refrigerator will help you avoid mold in your food and anywhere else in the fridge. One of the top places for mold growth in fridges and freezers is between the door seals, so check that regularly.
Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar are effective DIY mold removers. After cleaning out your refrigerator, you can also use a baking soda and water solution to kill any germs and mold spores in the appliance’s cracks, corners, and crevices.
Hot Water Heaters
Since hot water heaters are usually hidden in dark utility rooms, they can quickly become breeding grounds for mold. This is especially true in cases where there are leaks in the room or the heater itself, as the combined heat and dampness can create the perfect humidity for mold.
Ensure mold prevention by immediately fixing the water heater or room leaks and cleaning any moldy areas to remove all spores.
Related Article: Water Heater Leaking?
Humidifiers
Humidifiers may be known for being “anti-microbial,” but even they can fall prey to mold and mildew. Daily or at least regular cleaning will help prevent such cases, though. Make sure to check your humidifier for signs of mold every time you empty or refill it.
For mold growth prevention, clean the non-mechanical parts of your humidifier with vinegar and use any disinfectant approved by the manufacturer.Â
Dishwashers
Similar to your washing machine and your refrigerator, the door gasket or seals of your dishwasher can easily be taken over by mold growth. Mold and mildew can also grow on any damp food particles left inside the dishwasher and transfer onto the filter, silverware basket, and interior panels.
Always inspect the inside of the dishwasher after every cycle to ensure there are no food droppings. Thoroughly scrubbing the insides of your dishwasher with diluted bleach will also help prevent mold. Another option is to run an empty cycle at least once a week.
Ensure Mold-Free Appliances With Rescue One Restoration
Without proper precaution and vigilance, your home appliances may become a health hazard due to mold and mildew. Early detection, remediation, and prevention are crucial to avoid mold-related diseases or illnesses.
Rescue One Restoration can help with all of that. Our residential mold removal services will ensure your home remains a conducive environment for your health. With years of experience and the trust of numerous homeowners on our backs, you can rest assured we will take care of any mold problem you may have.Â
Give us a call at (808) 745-1608 to learn more about how we can best serve you.
Related Article: Hidden Areas Mold Can Grow In Your Hawaii Home
Learn more about our mold removal services and how Rescue One Restoration can serve you here.
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Mold can grow on nearly any surface around your home. In particular, mold thrives on surfaces that are damp, cold, or both. This means many of your household appliances can be potential breeding grounds for mold and mildew growth. It is also important to conduct regular checks and cleaning to
