Mold thrives in moist areas, which makes your refrigerator, washing machine and dishwasher ideal environments for mold growth. Unfortunately, unless you’re actively inspecting your appliances for mold, you most likely won’t find it until it starts emitting an unpleasant smell, which may not happen for months. If you’re looking for ways to keep mold out of your appliance’s, follow the tips provided below.

Where Did the Mold Come From?

Trapped moisture combined with poor ventilation, humidity, darkness and user error creates the perfect environment for mold to flourish in your refrigerator, dishwasher, and washing machine.

Is the Mold Found in Your Appliances Dangerous?

According to the CDC, mold can cause a number of physical reactions in people, including a stuffy nose, a sore throat, wheezing, itchy eyes and skin irritations. The CDC also warns that individuals with underlying conditions, such as asthma, mold allergies and chronic lung disease can have a more severe health reaction resulting in a lung infection.

How to Prevent Mold From Growing in Your Refrigerator

Where is it found? 

The seal around your refrigerator door provides mold with the perfect breeding ground. A mixture of warm air, moisture and a lack of ventilation is all it takes for mold to start spawning in-between the folds of the rubber gasket.

How do you get rid of it? 

Spray the door seal with white distilled vinegar and carefully wipe down the gasket with a clean rag. Once the initial clean-up is done, inspect the crevices in-between the seal folds and then use a toothbrush drenched in vinegar to scrub away any mold you find.

How do you stop it from growing? 

Inspect the refrigerator and freezer gasket at least once a month. After your inspection, even if you don’t find evidence of mold, wipe down the seal with white distilled vinegar. While your looking for mold, we also suggest you check for tears in the rubber gasket. Rips in the seal can effect your refrigerator’s ability to stay cool while also causing it to run for unnecessarily long periods of time. If the gasket is damaged you’ll need to replace it.

How to Prevent Mold From Growing in Your front and top load Washer

Where is it found? 

In a front load washer mold grows on the boot seal and in the detergent drawer due to trapped moisture, and in a top load washing machine a combination of water and humidity cause mold to hide between the washer drum and washer walls.

How do you get rid of it? 

If you found mold in your top load washer simply wipe the affected areas down with a mixture of white vinegar, baking soda and water. For a top load washer you’ll need to add three cups of vinegar or bleach to a hot water cycle. Make sure you run the cycle while your washer is empty. If your washer is a bit smelly, mix in a scope of baking soda to eliminate the odor.

How do you stop it from growing? 

Always remove clothing immediately after a wash cycle finishes and remember to leave the washer door and detergent draw open, which allows the components to dry properly and eliminates moisture from lingering on the seal and in the detergent drawer. As with a front load washer, the lid of a top load washer should be left open after a wash cycle has finished. Another key component of reducing mold in your top load washer is proper detergent use. Too much detergent can promote mold growth, so make sure you follow the detergent guidelines provided in your washer’s owners manual.

How to Prevent Mold From Growing in Your Dishwasher

Where is it found? 

As your dishwasher cleans your dishes small food particles end up in the utensil basket, stuck on the door gasket and wedged in the dishwasher filter. These tiny pieces of damp leftover food create a feeding ground for mold growth.

How do you get rid of it? 

Inspect the dishwasher interior, including the door gasket and the filter Remove any leftover bits of food and then scrub down every nook and cranny of the appliance with a mixture of vinegar, baking soda, and water. After you’re done, run a wash cycle with only a cup of vinegar inside the appliance.

How do you stop it from growing? 

First and foremost, after every use, check your dishwasher for leftover food particles. This habit alone will drastically help prevent mold growth. On top of removing debris, clean your dishwasher at least once a month by placing a cup of vinegar on the top rack and running a wash cycle.

Mold is not something you want to find in any of your appliances. If you’ve followed the prevention steps provided above and you’re still finding mold inside your refrigerator, washer, or dishwasher a leak or clogged drain may be causing the issue. If you suspect this is the case, please contact us today, and we’ll be happy to help you diagnose and fix your appliance.