Are Your Home Appliances Making Mold Removal Less Effective

Posted in Mold Removal, on September 20, 2024

When you invest in mold removal in Toronto, you’ll want to ensure that the results last. It can be frustrating when you make an effort to keep your home clean and safe, but only for the issue to return swiftly. There are a few reasons why mold can return post-removal, but what many people do not know is that your home appliances can make mold removal less effective. Understanding how common household appliances can contribute to or exacerbate mold problems is key to achieving a mold-free home. In this blog, we’ll explore the impact of various appliances on mold growth and offer practical tips for mitigating their effects. Washing machines, air conditioners, dishwashers, and humidifiers can all contribute to mold recurrence. Mold removal costs are based on the amount of mold and how difficult it is to remove based on the area, so being sure that you keep your appliances mold-free is essential to keeping costs down. If you’re struggling with persistent mold, it is best to call in the experts at Canada’s Restoration Services for effective remediation. Contact us today for a free estimate. 

How Mold Growth Occurs

To understand how appliances can impact mold removal, you need to know how mold growth occurs in the first place. Once you remove mold from your home, it can be rather easy to experience regrowth without altering the conditions in your home. Mold is often the result of ideal breeding conditions in your home, and without addressing this underlying issue, you are likely going to deal with a recurrence in the future. 

Mold starts out as spores, and when these spores land in an environment that is moist, they can begin to reproduce within a matter of days, eventually leading to visible growth. Environments that are warm, moist, and dirty are even more susceptible to mold growth. This is why appliances are so susceptible to mold. Many appliances provide the warmth and moisture necessary to foster mold growth. This is especially true if your appliances are poorly maintained. 

Troublesome Appliances

Washing Machines

Washing machines are well-known for being susceptible to mold growth. Front-loading washers, in particular, usually have a rubber lip around the opening. This rubber opening allows for water and moisture to easily enter inside of it, creating the perfect breeding grounds for mold growth. As you complete more loads of laundry, the lip continues getting wet, allowing for long-term mold growth. 

Even the drum of your laundry machine can grow mold. If your machine doesn’t drain effectively, then water, detergent, and fabric soften can build up, causing mold growth. As you move clothes in and out of the washer, you can spread mold spores around your laundry room, allowing mold to grow throughout the whole room. 

Your detergent dispenser can also be prone to mold due to the fact that it is constantly covered in soap residue and scum. Over time, this residue can provide a breeding ground for mold spores. When mold forms inside the washing machine, it can spread to your clothes and other fabrics, leading to unpleasant odors and potential health risks.

Air Conditioners

Air conditioner's main role is to help control the temperature in your home, but even they can contribute to mold growth.  The evaporator coils within an air conditioner cool the air and become covered with condensation. If these coils are not cleaned regularly, mold can develop on their surface. Then, the air conditioner can spread mold spores when turned on. 

Filters in air conditioners also play a significant role. They trap dust and debris, which can become moldy if not cleaned or replaced on a regular basis. Mold spores can then be circulated throughout your home, reducing air quality and contributing to mold issues in other areas.

Dishwashers

Although dishwashers are designed to clean, they can also be the perfect environment for mold to grow. Moisture can accumulate in various parts of the dishwasher, including the door seals, filters, spray arms, and the bottom of the dishwasher. Similarly to washers, the rubber seals around the door can trap water, causing the dishwasher to remain damp after each cycle and creating conditions ideal for mold growth. Excess food particles and grease can also collect in the dishwasher’s filter and floor, providing a food source for mold.

Additionally, dishwashers are consistently left damp. Typically, there is some kind of residual water left after running a wash cycle. Once you close the door and empty the dishwasher, the moisture stays trapped inside, fostering ideal breeding grounds for mold. 

Humidifiers

As previously mentioned, excess moisture and humidity are the main culprits of mold growth in homes, and having numerous humidifiers throughout your home can be problematic for homes that have already experienced mold. Although humidifiers have their health benefits, utilizing them is not worth the risk of a mold recurrence. All of the extra moisture can cause mold throughout your entire home, especially if the humidity levels go above 50-60%. This range is considered the danger zone, as it significantly increases your risk of mold. 

Best Practices for Maintaining Appliances

To prevent these appliances from contributing to mold growth, it's essential to follow proper maintenance practices. 

• Washing Machines: Ensure that you clean the washing machine’s door seals and filters regularly. It is also important to leave the door open after washing clothes. This will allow for additional ventilation and air circulation, which can help the drum dry. 
• Air Conditioner: Your air conditioner’s filter needs to be replaced every couple of months when it is on. This will help prevent them from harboring mold. You should also be checking the evaporator coils to ensure that the condensation has not resulted in mold growth. You can even schedule regular maintenance to ensure that your air conditioner is always in good working condition. 
• Dishwasher: Although it seems tedious, your dishwashers should be cleaned regularly to avoid any mold problems. Cleaning the filter and rubber seals can help remove any excess food and scum. Additionally, leaving your dishwasher door open after emptying it will allow the dishwasher to dry, preventing excess moisture.  
• Humidifiers: If you have struggled with mold, it is best to avoid humidifiers. However, if you are adamant about keeping them, only use them in areas that are least susceptible to mold, such as bedrooms or living rooms. You should also be monitoring indoor humidity levels with a hygrometer and ensuring that levels do not exceed 50%. If they do, stop using your humidifier immediately. 

Avoid Mold Removal in Toronto with Appliance Maintenance

In order to keep your home safeguarded after getting mold removal in Toronto, you need to understand and address how appliances can contribute to mold recurrence. By implementing best practices into your monthly maintenance routine, you can help mitigate the impact of common household appliances. This will also help ensure that your mold removal costs remain manageable and that your home stays safe and clean. If you are ever struggling with persistent mold issues, reach out to the experts at Canada’s Restoration Services for effective mold remediation. Contact us today for a free estimate and safeguard your home against mold.

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