Everyone loves a brand new, bright, shiny, and clean appliance. Filling a brand-new refrigerator or taking clothes out of a spotless dryer can become surprisingly satisfying chores when your appliances are new. But everyone knows that in due time, these same chores aren’t as fun when you find mold growing inside a washing machine or along the edge of a dishwasher. It seems to defeat the entire purpose of cleaning when your cleaning appliances are moldy. Not only are moldy appliances unsightly, but it can also be bad for your health when mold spores start to thrive. That’s why it’s important to start preventing mold from growing on your appliances immediately upon delivery. There are a few specific appliances that are infamous for trapping moisture and inviting mold. Here are a few different ways you can keep these appliances clean and mold free.

Washing Machine

When people think of moldy appliances, they usually think of the laundry room first. The laundry room can be a breeding ground for mold. It’s mainly because mold grows from both moisture or a food-like source, such as dirt or cellulose. It’s clear that a pile of dirty laundry left in a damp room for a few days can inevitably provide a home for mold. Regardless if you have a front-loading washer or a top loading washer, mold has a few special places where it can hide. For front-loading washers, you might see mold growing in the creases of the door or in the detergent drawer. For top loading washers, you’ll more likely find mold in the drum or interior walls. Here are a few tips to prevent mold in your laundry room:

• Do laundry often. Try not to let damp or dirty clothes sit for a long time on the floor or in a hamper.
• Dry clothes right away.
• Keep the lid/door of a washer open after washes to let them dry out.
• Refer to the owner’s manual on how to regularly clean out the washing machine. At least once a month, check the door creases, drum, and detergent drawers clean and free of grime.

Dishwasher

The dishwasher can be another cozy home for mold. Much like the washing machine, the dishwasher has creases, compartments, and corners that moisture and food can hide. For instance, the silverware baskets and interior panels can trap small pieces of food and mostly go unnoticed. Without cleaning the dishwasher routinely, it can end up on a list of your moldy appliances. Here are some other tips on keeping your dishwasher mold-free:

• Rinse dishes before loading in the dishwasher. If small pieces of food sit for a long period of time, mold can grow.
• After running the dishwasher, leave the door open for a short period of time so it can dry completely before closing.
• At least once a week, run the heat-dry function to kill any bacteria inside of the dishwasher. After running this function, be sure to also leave the door open to allow the interior to dry.
• Remove the silverware baskets after each wash and clean them to make sure no food is hiding in its creases.

Refrigerator

Mold inside of your refrigerator is probably the most cringe-worthy of all the moldy appliances. Of course, this is because this is where our food lives! Unfortunately, as mentioned above, food is also a commonplace that mold can grow. Between exposed, old food and moisture, the refrigerator is a very comfortable place for mold to grow. Keeping the refrigerator clean is an obvious way to prevent mold, but you need to do more than just wipe down shelves and trays. Here are the best ways to keep your refrigerator off the moldy appliances list:

• Any spills or small pieces of food need to be cleaned up immediately. Don’t allow juices or soda spills to become crusty or hardened.
• At least once a month, remove all trays, drawers, egg containers, butter compartments and scrub everything down. Using hydrogen peroxide or vinegar are chemical-free ways to keep the refrigerator clean and mold-free.
• Use a toothbrush or small scrub brush to clean out the door creases.
• Make sure the trays, compartments, and shelves are dry before closing the doors. For Help with Moldy Appliances

Let’s face it. Sometimes mold growth can go a bit too far to the point where you might have to call the experts for help. For instance, moldy water lines or leaks can be a bigger problem than you can imagine. If you think you may have a mold problem that has gone too far beyond repair, contact mold cleaning, and restoration professionals to resolve the issue. Ignoring mold growth can lead to health problems and poor functioning appliances. To make sure you, your family and your appliances are free of mold, call the professionals today for a thorough inspection of your home.

By Mold Remediation Pros