When you think of mold invading your house, you probably expect it to be in the normal places – your attic, basement, even your bathroom or around your shower if you’ve been a little lax in the cleaning department when it comes to your bathroom. (I’m looking at you, college students.)
However, because mold can show up anywhere there is a source of moisture there’s another place it commonly grows and that’s your washing machine.
Mold Growth in Your Washing Machine
Finding mold growth in your laundry room isn’t that uncommon. Your dryer producers a decent amount of heat and humidity and your washing machine is connected directly to a water source, so it’s no surprise if you find mold lurking in the corners of your laundry room.
What if it’s living inside your washing machine as well?
This area isn’t one you probably check on a regular basis because, if you’re like me, you might assume the constant movement of the washing machine and the flow of the water might keep the mold at bay, but unfortunately, that isn’t all that helpful.
When water sneaks into the crevices around the rim of your washer, it can be left for extended periods of time and mold can find a perfectly incognito place to set up shop.
If you’ve experienced a musty odor coming from that room and can’t find the culprit outside of the washing machine or if your allergies seem to ramp up when you spend time in that room, it’s time to take a look inside.
If mold is growing, the areas that are contaminated will have a darker color to them. Make sure you pull back any rubber trims on the washer and check inside those as well.
Should you happen to discover the most unwanted houseguest living it up in your washer, it doesn’t mean you have to throw everything away. In fact, cleaning the washing machine is fairly easy task and one you can tackle on your own.
Removing Mold from the Washing Machine
First, open up washing machine and wipe down any areas with standing moisture, but avoid touching the mold. When mold is disturbed it releases spores into the air which can be inhaled and cause respiratory issues to those who suffer from mold allergies.
Next, use a simple mold removal solution you can make at home to spray directly on the mold. Take warm water, white vinegar and baking soda and mix it together in a clean spray bottle. Spray the areas affected by mold and be sure to thoroughly soak the patches of mold. This allows the solution get all the way to the bottom of the mold patch and kill mold spores there as well.
Once the patches are soaked, let them sit for 10-15 minutes as the solution penetrates all areas of the mold. After the suggested amount of time is up, take a warm, wet washcloth and gently wipe away all traces of mold you see. If you have some really stubborn mold on your hands, you might have to repeat the process a couple of times to eliminate all traces of mold.
Once you’ve removed the mold, spray the solution on the areas once again to kick the mold prevention up a notch.
When Are the Pros Needed?
Unfortunately, mold can get out of hand quickly. It’s a rather fast growing organism that doesn’t require a great deal of sustenance to survive. If you believe your mold problem extends past your washing machine or if you suspect it may have already spread to other areas in your home, give us a call. Our team of trained mold removal specialists will answer any questions you have on the topic of mold and we’ll help you get started on a plan to remove all the mold in your house. Contact us today!
