HomeBlogMold Growth in Kitchen and Household Appliances

Mold can and will grow everywhere, both outside and inside, promoting the potential of costly remediation and negatively affecting the indoor air quality which can lead to poor health.

Mold Growth in Kitchen and Household Appliances

Where there is moisture – there is mold growth. So, this also means that your kitchen and household appliances could be growing mold, without you knowing. This surely raises the yuck factor, but also may trigger a bigger problem by promoting the opportunity for spreading mold spores to other parts of your home where they will continue to colonize and grow, thus affecting your indoor air quality.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states, “For some people, mold can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash. People with asthma or who are allergic to mold may have severe reactions. Immune-compromised people and people with chronic lung disease may get infections in their lungs from mold”.

There are several places that mold can start to grow that you may not think about so below are some common appliances you can check and learn how to keep them clean and mold-free:

  • Front Load Washers: Detergent drawer and door seal from trapped moisture when the door or detergent drawer is closed.

FIX: Use ¼ cup of vinegar to 4 tablespoons of baking soda and run an empty hot cycle monthly.

TIP: Take out laundry immediately and keep door open when not in use.

  • Top Load Washers: Between the drum and interior walls from water and humidity after a load.

FIX: 3 to 4 cups of vinegar to ½ cup of baking soda and run empty through hot cycle monthly.

TIP: Use the recommended laundry detergent amount, take out laundry immediately, and keep the door open when not in use.

  • Refrigerator: Between the door seals from warm air mixing with moisture and a lack of ventilation. Shelves and draws that have left food particles or spills.

FIX: Spray hydrogen peroxide or vinegar and wipe clean. Use a toothbrush or cotton swab to get into crevices.

TIP: Clean up spills immediately and wipe down with vinegar once monthly.

  • Dishwasher: The filter, silverware basket, interior panels and door gasket from damp food particles left behind after a washing cycle.

FIX: Scrub the interior and gasket with diluted bleach. Clean all debris and place a cup of white vinegar into a cup on the top rack of the empty machine and run a full cycle on the hottest setting monthly. Sprinkle some baking soda at the bottom every so often and run through a hot cycle to deodorize.

TIP: Use the heat-dry function and leave the door open for a while after use.

If you think that you may have a mold problem in your home or want to ensure that your indoor air quality is not making you sick, we can help.

Our comprehensive Mold Assessment involves a thorough examination of a property to determine if a moisture issue is occurring that could harbor mold growth or if mold is already present.

This includes the following areas of a home that are known to be common points of entry for moisture intrusion:

  • Exterior Components
  • HVAC System & Ductwork
  • Plumbing System
  • Attic & Crawl Spaces
  • Beneath Cabinets & Appliances with water hookups

We will also collect air samples from inside the home to be tested for mold spores that could be contributing to poor indoor air quality. If potentially toxic molds are discovered, you will be given a protocol to follow for hiring a mold remediator. A full report of our findings will be delivered within 24 hours, including photographs and video of our findings, as necessary.

In addition to a Mold Assessment, we are also able to test for other airborne particulates that are known to negatively impact indoor air quality. We can conduct the following testing services:

  • Volatile Organic Compound (VOCs) Testing
  • Silica Testing
  • Allergen Testing (for allergens other than mold)

The air samples that are collected will be tested at a laboratory for these specific contaminants. You will then be presented with a full analysis of the laboratory findings, typically within 24 hours. This makes us different from many others, whose test results take far longer to be delivered.

At Coastal Air Assessments, we work our way from the outside in, first identifying potential issues at the exterior of the home that could be causing poor air quality inside the home. Our Mold Assessments and Air Sampling Tests are timely, accurate, and a true asset for Florida homeowners. Contact us today for your free consultation.