As you inspect your home for mold from top to bottom, be sure you also look inside common household appliances like your washer, dishwasher and fridge. Your walls, basement and attic can be totally clear of mold issues, but there’s a chance you need to focus your mold testing santa monica efforts on your appliances for true peace of mind. Learn how to determine whether you have a problem.
Identifying Mold
You’re likely to have mildew before you have mold. Check for signs of mildew, which often looks like black spots in areas of your appliances that are often wet or moist. If you see such spots, carefully add a few drops of bleach diluted with water to the spot. If the spot turns white, you likely have mildew and the beginnings of mold. If the spot remains the same color, it’s probably dirt you’re dealing with.
Washing Machines
For your washing machine, mold commonly grows in the drawers and door (including the door seal). Mold can also gain a foothold in the interior walls and drum of a top load washer. You should run the tub clean/clean washer setting of your washer at least once a month (more often if your washer gets a lot of use), and use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to wipe down the drawers and door seal after the tub clean cycle is complete.
Refrigerators
With fridges, mold and mildew are likely to start developing and growing on the door seal…and on the food itself, if it gets too old. Use vinegar, warm water and baking soda to treat mold and clean your door seal, and be sure to clean the rest of the inside of your fridge every few months.
Dishwasher
When it comes to your dishwasher, mold is triggered by damp food particles trapped in the:
- Cutlery basket
- Filter
- Door gasket
Clean out the drain of your dishwasher, and load a cup of white vinegar in an empty dishwasher on the hottest setting to clean it all out.
Look into mold testing orange county, if you suspect mold has worked its way into your appliances.