How to get rid of mold in the washing machine?
The washing machine is designed to make running a household easier, but sometimes this indispensable device becomes a source of trouble. One of the most common problems faced by owners of modern automatic washing machines is mold that has settled on the inside or outside of the machine.
Black mold appears quite often in our homes, but it takes a long time to detect it. Its danger lies in the fact that it spreads very quickly throughout the apartment. Mildew can harm the health of the household, so you need to get rid of it immediately. In this article, we will tell you about why black mold grows in the washing machine, how to remove it and how to make sure that the uninvited guest did not appear again.
Where does mold most often appear?
Mold always appears in rooms with high levels of humidity - usually these are bathrooms and kitchens. To avoid this, you need to install a good ventilation system in these rooms and constantly ventilate them. In addition, you need to make sure that no condensation settles on the surfaces and no moisture accumulates.
However, even if the room is in perfect condition, mold can get into places that are constantly in contact with water. For example, in the washing machine. The plastic and rubber parts of the device are the most exposed to the danger - these materials are "loved" by mold the most.
Black mold can be found most often:
- On the rubber cuff that seals the door of the loading hatch (popularly called the "rubber band");
- on the walls of the container, in which the laundry detergent is poured;
- on the inner or outer surfaces of the hoses - drain and fill hoses;
- in the drain filter.
As soon as you managed to establish the source of mold growth, you need to take action immediately, otherwise it will spread to other elements of the washing machine.
Causes
Obligatory conditions for mold growth are heat and moisture. Once these two factors meet together, the appearance of black mold is almost inevitable. The washing machine is already at risk, and negligent use of the appliance makes the situation even worse. Mildew is usually caused by not taking proper care of your washing machine.
This problem is usually encountered by housewives who:
- exceed the recommended dosage of laundry detergent and fabric conditioner;
- Do not use bleaching and disinfecting agents for laundry at least occasionally;
- prefer to wash clothes at low water temperatures;
- use mainly an accelerated mode of washing;
- do not arrange a periodic cleaning of the inner parts of the washing machine from scale and do not prevent the appearance of plaque;
- leave the raw laundry in the hatch for a long time after the washing cycle is finished;
- at the end of the washing cycle do not wipe the drum and rubber cuffs dry;
- do not clean the detergent supply container from the remains of household chemicals.
Mold removers
To fight mold can be both improvised means, and with the help of ready-made store preparations. Let's look at the most popular recipes that have repeatedly proven to be effective.
Chlorine-based cleaners and disinfectants. Chlorine has an excellent antiseptic effect, it quickly destroys all harmful (and not very) microorganisms. It is enough to apply a chlorine-based product to the mold-affected areas and leave it for a few minutes. Do not forget to rinse it off with plenty of water. Be sure to protect your hands, mucous membranes and respiratory tract when in contact with chlorine.
We suggest you watch a short video tutorial on how to use this method of mold removal.
Dishwashing detergent. It is not possible to get rid of mold permanently with this household chemical, but it will help to safely remove black plaque. After you have washed off the mold with dishwashing liquid, treat the affected area with an antiseptic.
Citric acid. In combination with laundry detergent, citric acid softens and gently removes mold. But for the product to work, you need to apply the mixture, diluted with water, on the moldy areas and leave for about 24 hours. After the allotted time, scrub the remnants of the product with a damp sponge.
Prevention
- Mold is afraid of hot water, so when it does not harm things, try to wash at the highest temperature setting.
- Wash things with bleach from time to time. Or once every few months, run the wash program with the hatch empty by pouring disinfectant into the drum.
- Wipe the drum and rubber cuffs with a dry cloth every time after washing is finished. Do not close the hatch door tightly, let it be slightly ajar at all times.
