The laundry room is one of most likely places to develop mold. This may be surprising as laundry rooms tend to be warm and humid. These conditions are ideal for mold growth. We examine the causes of mold growth in laundry rooms, including leaky washer connections and blocked drains. We also explain how to remove mold from the washer and provide ways to prevent it.
How To Remove Mold From The Washing Machine
Here are some simple steps to get rid of mold from your washer machine if you have it. Mold can be found in washing machines in the washer basin and detergent drawer. No matter where the mold is located, we will show you how to remove it from your washer.
How To Remove Mold From The Washing Machine Basin
Mold is most likely to grow in the washing machine basin. Mold can grow from soap residue and minerals in your water. This can lead to stains and odors. This process will vary depending on which washer you have.
Top-loading washers should be set to the highest setting and allowed to fill fully. Next, add one cup of bleach to the machine. Let it soak for at least an hour before letting the machine run for one full cycle.
Spray the entire basin with bleach solution. Let it sit for at least one hour for front-loading machines. Next, run the full cycle using the highest wash setting.
No matter what machine type you have, run another cycle at the highest setting. Two cups of white vinegar can be added to the basin to top-loaders, or to the detergent drawer to front-loaders.
After the wash cycle is complete, run your machine one last time. This will rinse out any detergent residue or mold from your washer.
Next, check the washing machine for mold. Spray the machine with bleach and gently scrub it with a cloth or brush if you find any mold. Rinse the area with hot water.
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How To Clean Mold From The Detergent Drawer
The ability to remove the detergent drawer from the washer will determine how easy it is to clean. You can take the drawer out if you are able to. Then, soak it in hot water for mold and soap removal.
To kill mold, soak the item in warm water for 30 minutes and then bleach it. You can clean the drawer with a sponge or a brush. Rinse it with warm water before putting it back in your washer. To rinse the drawer, run a hot cycle using no soap.
Pour hot water into the drawer and let it sit for half an hour. Then run a hot water washing cycle. After the cycle is complete, add bleach to the drawer and run another hot-water cycle.
Next, scrub the drawer to get rid of any buildup. Then pour more hot water into it. To rinse the drawer clean, you can run another hot water cycle. You may need to run multiple hot water cycles if you have very dirty detergent drawers.
How To Remove Mold From The Washer Gasket
The washer gasket for front-loading washing machines is another place where mold can be found. The gasket can trap dirt and water, which allows mold growth. Some gaskets can be removed, but many are not.
You can remove a removable gasket and wash your sink. To clean it, sprinkle some baking soda on top and add vinegar. Let it sit for 30 minutes. Rinse it off and then put it back in the machine.
You can clean the gasket with warm water and a rag if you are unable to remove it. To remove soap and dirt buildup, make sure to get in all the corners.
After it is clean, dry it and add some baking soda. You may find it difficult to do this in certain areas. Instead, move small pieces and rub the baking soda in with your hands. Spray some white vinegar on the surface and allow it to foam for about half an hour.
Use warm water and a rag to clean away any vinegar or baking soda. Make sure that you have removed all dirt and mold. If necessary, repeat the process.
No matter what type of gasket, you can run a wash cycle at the highest setting to rinse off any dirt and soap buildup.
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How To Prevent Mold From The Laundry Room
These nine steps will help you prevent mold growth in your washer and laundry room. They are easy to do and most likely you already know them. Some of them might take some time and effort. They are still cheaper than mold removal.
1. Make sure you use the right amount and type of soap
Use the correct amount of detergent and the right type for your machine. There is a common misconception that soap makes clothes cleaner. The truth is that more soap can cause mold growth and buildup in your washing machine. The correct type and amount for your washing machine will be listed in the instruction booklet. This will prevent soap buildup and keep your washer running smoothly. Make sure you measure the soap with the measuring spoon provided.
2. Clean out the Lint Trap from Your Dryer
Mold can be prevented in your laundry room by making sure that you empty the dryer’s lint trap after each load. Although it may sound odd, a buildup of lint in your exhaust pipe can trap moisture in your laundry area. Mold can grow faster in humid areas, such as the exhaust pipe or the ceiling or walls near the dryer. You should vacuum your lint trap every few months, in addition to cleaning it after each load. You should also check the exhaust pipe for any buildup.
3. Hang Dry Clothing in Well Ventilated Space
There are clothes we don’t like drying. Instead of drying them in your laundry room, you can move them to another room that has better airflow or outside. This will reduce humidity and prevent mold growth in your laundry area. To circulate air and keep your laundry room dry, hang clothes in a fan or dehumidifier. You can also space the hangers out or lay clothes flat on a drying rack.
4. Run a Cleaning Cycle
Even if you use enough laundry soap, the soap can still build up in your washer. It can lead to mold growth if soap buildup is not removed. Wash your washer without clothes. When cleaning your washer, use the highest water temperature and longest wash cycle. Some washing machines have an automatic cleaning cycle. A cleaning cycle should be done every other month. To disinfect moldy areas or odors, you can run another cleaning cycle using bleach.
5. Dispenser for Fabric Softener and Clean Soap
You should also run a cleaning cycle to clean the fabric softener and soap dispensers. If the dispenser can be removed, you can wash it in warm soapy water. You can rinse the dispenser with hot water, then use a rag to remove dirt. To dissolve stubborn soap buildup, you can use almost boiling water. To rinse the dispensers, run another cleaning cycle.
6. Washing Machine Lint Filter
Your washing machine may drain to a utility sink if it has a lint filter. To prevent mold growth in your laundry room, make sure to clean the drain hose of your washing machine at least once per month. To prevent mold growth, you should clean the filter more often if you do a lot of laundry. You can clean the filter by removing it and shaking it in your trash or compost pile. It is easier to empty the filter by turning it inside out. Sometimes, the filter may have to be replaced.
7. Use a dehumidifier
Many laundry rooms have humidity problems. The dryer pulls moisture from your clothes as it runs. Even with adequate ventilation, extra moisture can still settle on walls and ceilings and cause mold growth. A dehumidifier can prevent this. A dehumidifier should have a drain hose to ensure it runs continuously. If your washer doesn’t have one, ensure you empty it after every load.
8. Make sure you check the connections to your water hoses
Even though it is unlikely, mold can be caused by a leaky water supply. Every few months, make sure your water hose connections stay tight. Although hand-tightening is usually sufficient, you might need to use a wrench or a twister in certain cases. Avoid tightening too tightly. Overtightening the hoses can cause damage to the threads and lead to leaks. To ensure a tight seal, some hose connections include gaskets. Check your hoses for cracks or dryness every year if they have gaskets. To prevent leaks, you should replace your hoses every three to five year. Before removing the connection hoses, make sure you turn off the water.
9. Increase Ventilation
To prevent steam buildup, dryers create steam. Make sure that your laundry room has good ventilation. Turn on the exhaust fan in your laundry area when you wash clothes. To promote air circulation, open a window and/or use a fan. The exhaust pipe should be made of rigid metal. Although accordion-style foil vents can be found, they are less likely to collect lint or allow mold growth inside. The smooth-sided exhaust pipes made of metal are slightly more expensive but do a better job at preventing mold growth. They significantly reduce the possibility of dryer fires.
What Are The Main Causes Of Mold In The Laundry Room?
Mold can be caused by water. It will grow on all organic materials that get wet. Many household items, including clothing and drywall are ideal for mold growth. Here are some reasons mold can grow in your laundry room.
- Humidity: Mold can grow when the humidity is higher than 60%. Many laundry rooms are well-equipped to support mold growth because they have both drying and washing.
- Temperature: Temperatures above 70degF/21degC are perfect for mold growth. The motor in your washer/dryer can raise the temperature even if it is cold.
- Damp Clothes: Whether clothes are left on the line, or accidentally left in the washer overnight, wet clothes provide the first need for mold growth.
What Do I Do If I Find Mold In My Laundry Room?
There are steps that you can take to get rid of mold from your laundry room or washing machine. As long as the area is not more than a few feet square, you can clean up and remove any surface mold. You should hire a mold remediation company to clean up larger areas or if mold grows in floors, walls, or ceilings. These are some ways to get rid of mold in your laundry room:
- Mold is an indicator of a water source. Mold can be cleaned, but it will return if the water source is not addressed.
- Protective equipment such as long sleeves, gloves and goggles are essential for mold cleanup.
- Toss any item that is difficult to clean and disinfect or cannot be dried within a reasonable amount of time after cleaning.
- Never mix cleaners. They can create potentially deadly gases.
- To avoid inhaling cleaner fumes, always work in an area that is well-ventilated.
- Use a mild cleaner on the surfaces to get rid of visible mold. Dry with clean towels. To speed dry larger areas, you can use dehumidifiers and high-volume fans.
- Use one cup bleach for every gallon of water to disinfect. Spray the entire area with a spray bottle, or another sprayer for best results.
- Do not paint or caulk mold. This will not kill the mold but cover it.
Laundry Room Mold Removal Services
Our technicians can help you if there is mold in your laundry room or washing machine. 911 Restoration provides a free estimate at your home for mold remediation or removal services. To schedule your free estimate, call (818)-264-4100 today. We can usually remove mold from your home permanently in less than one week.