I was scrolling through the internet yesterday, and I saw an article about mold growing in water bottles. It reminded me of how many places mold grows that we don’t think about. Understanding some of the less obvious places molds can grow helps to be vigilant in cleaning these areas, so you don’t suffer the loss of personal belongings.
Places Mold Grows that Are Weird
Mold can grow anywhere, and it will if you give it the chance. Consider all the places you may accidentally leave water or moisture, and you’ll know what areas of the home (or water bottles) to keep dry and clean in order to remove the risk of mold.
1. Water Bottles
If you’ve ever had a water bottle with one of those soft spouts you have to squeeze to get out the water, then you probably already know water bottles collect mold. To be honest, you should replace those spouts or nozzles every once in a while. There is not a good way to keep them clean. However, water bottles can also collect mold around the rim of the bottle. This happens because people leave water bottles in the car or at the office, and they just don’t get cleaned that often. Gross…yes. Normal…yes. Preventable…yes.
2. Your Fridge’s Drip Tray
This is more of a public service announcement or a reminder to clean your fridge’s drip tray. We all know it gets gross, but it sometimes has to get pretty gross before it gets cleaned. It is so nice to have a water dispenser but remember that it introduces the opportunity for mold growth.
3. Front Loading Washing Machines
The seal on front loading washing machines is notorious for causing mold. We recommend running a cleaning cycle once per month with the following solution: 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup white vinegar, 10 drops of lemon oil (optional). We also recommend using an antimicrobial cleaner and spraying the seal directly and wiping with a clean cloth or paper towel in between the folds of the seal until clean. Also, be sure to clean out the dryer vent regularly to avoid house fires!
4. Behind the Bathroom Mirror
When you take a hot shower, you run the bathroom fan, so moisture doesn’t accumulate. However, you probably don’t lift or remove the mirror to make sure it stays dry behind it. Voila! Mold haven. We recommend running the bathroom fan for a minimum of 30 minutes after each shower.
5. Around the Window
Sometimes window sills are neglected, and that may be because a bed frame or dresser is blocking it. It must be cleared once in a while, so it can be cleaned and inspected for water damage. If there is black mold, you may need to call a mold remediation specialist to make sure it isn’t in the wood, carpet, and drywall.