6 Spots in Your Home That You Should Always Check for Molds

Molds are fungi that can grow anywhere, even inside your home. They thrive in moist and dark environments. Typically, molds appear like furry circular stains or black specks, but some can also be dark green or brown. At times, they even have white flecks within them.

While you might be unbothered by small amounts of mold, they can become unsightly once they cover a large area of your home. Also, inhaling mold spores can cause minor allergic reactions such as itchy eyes and coughing. Some people may even experience asthma attacks or difficulty breathing when they are exposed to mold.

To protect your family’s health, you need to regularly inspect areas where molds can be commonly found and get rid of them immediately. Fortunately, most mold cases can be easily cleaned with regular household cleaners so you can incorporate mold removal into your cleaning routine. Here are some spots in your home you need to check for molds.

Refrigerator Drip Pans

Regardless of the manufacturer, refrigerators have drip pans. This is a basin where water from the defrost drain is collected. Often, the water that goes in the pan evaporates into the air. However, moisture can still stay there—which makes the pan an ideal environment for molds to grow.

To ensure your drip pans remain mold-free, make deep cleaning your fridge part of your annual ritual. Begin with unplugging your fridge and locating the drip pan. Typically, you can access the drip pan behind the kick panel. You can also refer to the fridge’s manual in case you can’t find it.

Once you have located the pan, slide it out carefully and pour out any standing water down the sink. Then, using a mixture of a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and a cup of water, spray it on the pan. Scrub away the dirt and rinse it with water. Before you put back the drip pan, make sure to also clean the surface underneath it and dry the container thoroughly.

Front-Loading Washing Machine Seals

The seal around the door of your front-load washing machine is another common spot for molds because the rubber stays wet after the appliance is used. Since the door is kept shut when the machine isn’t in use, the remaining moisture after the machine drains will take a long time to dry and allows for molds to grow on the seals.

To prevent molds from developing in your washing machine’s seals, make sure to wipe the gasket and interior glass dry before shutting the door. In case you see mold, turn on your washing machine and run a hot water cycle with bleach. It will help kill the fungi and prevent them from growing.

Toothbrush Holders

A lot of people use a glass or ceramic container to hold their toothbrushes. They also often place it next to the bathroom sink for convenience. While this keeps your toothbrush within easy reach, the placement of the container can be a perfect environment for mold to thrive. Often, the bottom of the toothbrush holder is moist due to the water that drips from the toothbrush after it’s been used. If you want to prevent mold from growing, regularly rinse and dry the interior of the toothbrush holder. Alternatively, consider getting a hanging toothbrush holder and affixing it above your sink so that the water can drip directly into the drainage.

Dishes

If you’re like most people, you understand that cleaning dishes can be a time-consuming task. This is why some people try to hasten the process by skipping drying and storing wet dishes in the kitchen cabinet, which ultimately invites molds.

To ensure you keep mold away from your dishes and the area they’re stored in, dry plates and other dinnerware thoroughly using a dish towel before storing. In case you see fungus growing in between the stacked plates, wash them again with warm soapy water. If molds are in the cabinets, get rid of them by wiping the moldy area with a vinegar-soaked rag. Let the surface dry completely before placing your dishes back into storage.

Under the Sink

Since fungus flourishes in a warm, moist, and dark habitat, mold is often found under kitchen and bathroom sinks. If you don’t want mold harboring in these areas, regularly check for plumbing leaks. Also, clean the interior of your under-sink cabinets using a bleach or hydrogen peroxide-based solution. Remember to keep that area dry as well to prevent mold growth.

Window Sashes and Sills

Another area where you need to check for molds is on the window sashes and sills. Since condensation creates a moist environment, these spots in your home can also develop molds. Also, the dirt and dust that accumulate by your window can become a food source for growing mold.

If you want to prevent molds from growing near your windows, regularly clean them. Wipe the surfaces and crannies to remove dust. After heavy rains, open your windows and wipe your window sills and the bottoms of the sashes to remove the moisture and dirt. If there are leaks, make sure to clean them up immediately.

Since molds can grow anywhere in your home, regularly inspecting these moisture-prone areas can help you spot any growths early and apply treatments to keep the mold from spreading further around your house. For small patches of molds, remove them using chlorine bleach, distilled white vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide. If you encounter bigger mold-infected areas, call expert mold removers for professional help.