Avoiding Mold Growth Inside of Appliances

Mold is a type of fungus that is found almost everywhere. It is useful outside because it breaks down debris.

However, in the house, it can be dangerous in large amounts. This is especially true for many who struggle with allergies, as mold can really affect them.

Mold is commonly found in damp areas, such as your bathroom, kitchen, attics, and basements. If water leaks are left untreated, mold can form too. Many people might assume mold is only found in the walls, floors and other structural areas. While those are common areas, mold can also grow in places such as our appliances as well if we don't take preventative measures.

What Are the Symptoms and Signs That Your Appliances May Have Mold?

Mold can be found on many appliances, including your dishwasher and your fridge. The most common sign you will see is dark spots on it. They tend to hide in the dark areas of your appliances, including the seals around the doors.

Why Mold Forms in Appliances

Mold thrives in damp, dark, and often overlooked areas, which makes appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators ideal breeding grounds. These appliances often provide the perfect environment for mold due to leftover moisture, warmth, and organic matter like food particles. While mold outdoors helps break down organic matter, indoors, it can cause health issues and impact your appliance’s efficiency and longevity.

How You Should Treat It?

The best way to get rid of mold is by cleaning. Wipe the surface with bleach to get rid of the dark spots. However, it is even better to do what you can to prevent mold from ever happening.

How Can It Be Prevented?

Moisture is the most common reason mold occurs. You need to wipe all of your appliances down on a regular basis.

With your dishwasher, you should use the heat dry cycle and leave the door open for a while before you unload it. You also should run a clean cycle once a week to make sure that it stays clean. Cleaning out the food particles will also help.

With your fridge, you should clean up any spills as soon as they happen and clean the inside and outside on a regular basis. This will really help to keep mold down.

Additional Prevention Tips

Since moisture is the primary cause of mold, regular maintenance and thorough cleaning can go a long way in preventing it:

• Dry Seals and Gaskets: After using appliances, wipe down any seals, gaskets, and door edges where moisture can linger. Regularly checking and drying these areas can help stop mold before it starts.
• Keep Appliances Well-Ventilated: After using your washing machine or dishwasher, leave the door slightly ajar to allow airflow. This prevents trapped moisture from promoting mold growth.
• Use Mold-Resistant Products: Consider products like Sanosil or other EPA-approved mold prevention solutions to treat surfaces within appliances. These products create a mold-resistant environment, offering longer-term protection.

Call BioClean CT!

If you are worried about moldy appliances (or moldy anything), don't hesitate to contact us today. We have helped many families throughout Connecticut with their mold issues. We are proud to service Westchester County and all of Connecticut. Give our team a call today!