Is your washing machine giving off an unpleasant smell? Are you noticing black mold around the corners and crevices? These are common signs of washing machine mold. Read this article to understand if it is dangerous, how to remove the mold, and finally, how to prevent it in the future.
Is Washing Machine Mold Dangerous?
The short and simple answer to that is: yes, it is dangerous to your health. Initially it may not seem like it is a problem. However, be cautious. The mold could make its way into your clothes, consequently exposing your skin and eyes, and it can even find its way inside your body.
Mold exposure may cause:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Itching of the eyes
- Skin irritation
- Lung problems (coughing, irritation)
For your well-being, you need to keep your washer completely free of mold.
How To Make Sure You Are Dealing With Washing Machine Mold
Mold loves damp, dark places, obviously making your washer the perfect breeding ground. Every time you wash a load of laundry, moisture, and humidity build up inside the machine. If you don’t clean it regularly, mold will slowly start to grow. Since it develops so gradually, it may go unnoticed in the early stages. Luckily there are a few signs you can look out for every once in a while, to check for mold. We recommend regular checks for washing machine mold when filling or emptying the washing machine.
How to detect washing machine mold:
- Look for black or colored ‘dirt’. Thoroughly inspect all crevices of your washing machine for black mold.
- Unpleasant, dusty, earth-like smells. If you can’t find any visible growth, check for an unpleasant smell.
- Observe your health. Once you’re beginning to experience physical symptoms after using your washing machine, your first thought may be mold exposure. However, note that such irritation may also signify an unrelated issue.
How To Keep Your Washing Machine Free of Mold
Preventing mold from growing is always the best way to go. Therefore, here is what to do to keep your washing machine mold-free:
- Clean your washing machine regularly. You should clean the entire machine at least once every two months. Procrastinating for too long will give mold the chance to grow, consequently handing you more work.
- Keep the washing machine door open. After finishing washing a load of laundry, don’t immediately close the door of your washer. Instead, leave it open for a few hours so the humidity that builds up during the cycle can spread and leave the washer.
- Keep the laundry room door open. Do not permanently close the door of the laundry room, especially directly after a wash. Leave the door open to allow air circulation through the machine, thus letting the machine dry properly.
- Don’t leave wet clothes in the washer. Remove wet clothes immediately after washing. Leaving damp clothes inside will promote mold growth, besides it also makes your clothes smell. Doing this for too long will result in needing to rewash your clothing before drying them.
- Install a dehumidifier in the laundry room. This will get rid of excess moisture in the air. Without moisture, mold will not grow.
Ever tried dishwasher tablets in the washing machine?
Its effect may suprise you.
How To Remove Washing Machine Mold
Once you notice mold in your washer you have to deal with it immediately. Otherwise your health may suffer. Of course not everyone gets symptoms right away, it remains a health hazard in your home. Follow this step-by-step guide to cleanse your washing machine of mold.
Requirements:
- Vinegar
- Gloves
- Fragrant soap
- Paper towels or cleaning rags
- Optional: spray bottle
Time to Complete:
30 minutes
1. Spray Vinegar on The Machine
Pour the white vinegar into a spray bottle. Spray it all over your washing machine, including the full outside of the machine, the gasket rings, the detergent can, the filter, the door, and any other parts of the washer.
2. Soak The Detergent Cans in White Vinegar
Since these areas are especially susceptible to moisture build-up, and because of this mold, you will want to soak it in vinegar, to remove all present mold.
3. Wait For The Washing Machine Mold to Die
After spraying your washing machine, allow it to sit for one or two hours. This will give the vinegar enough time to act on the mold.
4. Use a Towel To Clean
Use a towel or a paper towel to clean every part of the washing machine.
5. Use a Brush To Scrub the Machine
Seek out any leftover mold you see and scrub off with your brush. Once you’re done scrubbing, finish it off with a towel.
6. Wash And Scrub The Filter
Mold and dirt accumulate in the filter of your washing machine. When you open the filter area, place a bucket under it so the bucket will take all the filthy water trapped there. Remove the filter and take off all the debris. Scrub very well and then rinse under hot water. After cleaning, put it back into place.
7. Run a Hot Wash Program
Most washing machines have a self-cleaning wash program. If your washing machine doesn’t have this, you can run a cycle with the highest possible temperature setting on your washer. Include one to two cups of white vinegar in the inner drum before running the wash program.
8. Clean Again With Lemon Wash
Now you’ve gotten rid of the mold, clean your washing machine again using a strong scented wash, like lemon wash. The fragrance will eliminate the mold’s foul smell. If the smell remains use the lemon wash to clean your floor as well.
Conclusion
To summarize, it’s definitely dangerous for you to have black mold in your washing machine. It can cause all kinds of health problems, along with producing an unpleasant musty smell. Ensure you regularly clean your washing machine to prevent mold growth, but check once in a while for any signs, just to be sure. If you detect mold in your washing machine, use this step-by-step guide to eliminate it.
