Is Washing Machine Mold Dangerous?

washing-machine-mold

There is nothing worse than putting on a fresh load of washing, running the whole cycle, only to pull your clothes out of the machine and notice signs of mold.

Perhaps there’s that musty, damp smell, or you’ve noticed some signs of mold on your clothes. 

Perhaps you have popped your head in the machine and thought, god, what is that smell? Either way, mold in your washing machine is a common occurrence, which sends thousands of us to search for answers.

After all, no one wants to deal with mold in any capacity, do they? Especially if it could pose a danger to your health.

That’s why we are here today to tackle all your washing machine mold-related queries! Let’s find out if the mold in your washing machine is dangerous or not!

Is mold in a washing machine dangerous?

Washing machine mold can indeed be dangerous.

Just like other molds, exposure to it can result in sickness and pose a threat to your health.

Common symptoms include coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, and nausea. In more extreme cases, lung infections and even death can be caused by severe cases of mold.

That’s made you think twice about your washing machine mold, hasn’t it?

Those with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as COPD or asthma can experience more severe problems due to compromised lung health. In these cases, your washing machine mold must be dealt with swiftly. 

As the mold in your washing machine comes into contact with your clothes, it can also cause itching or rashes and skin irritation.

In these cases, your mold will need to be rectified before it causes any further damage and clothes washed. 

Symptoms can be relieved by having a shower, re-washing the clothes, or seeking advice from a doctor or pharmacist.

Remember that everyone is different with different health complications, and you should seek professional help if you are concerned about your or your family’s well-being as a result. 

What kind of mold grows in washing machines?

Black mold is commonly the mold found in your washing machine.

Thanks to the moisture and damp conditions in your washing machine, mold can thrive and grow in the seal around the door or fester in the corners of the drum, undetected until you smell that fateful smell. 

You can expect to find most types of mold present in your washing machine, not just black mold.

The three types of mold: allergenic, pathogenic, and toxigenic, can be found in these damp washers and vary in severity. 

The mold will likely start as mildew, and you might notice these spots on the seal around the door before developing into the mold. You can stop it in its tracks by regularly cleaning your washing machine (we’ve got some great tips coming up).

Wiping down the door, seal, and any excess water is a fantastic start to dry the machine up and prevent mold from settling in. 

Be sure to leave the door to your washing machine open for a short while after removing damp clothes. This will air the machine out and ensure that you aren’t trapping moist air into the machine.

Remove your clothes once the machine has finished its cycle, too, preventing clothes from getting musty and attracting more mold. 

How do I get rid of black mold in my washing machine drawer?

You can get rid of mold in your washing machine quite easily, with a simple homemade recipe!

A cup of vinegar and the juice of half a lemon is all that you need! Together these ingredients will act as a natural fungicide that kills mold and prevents it from returning. 

Pour the solution into the detergent slot of your machine and run a cycle with hot water, allowing the solution to get into the cracks of the machine. No corner or mold will be spared!

Once the cycle ends, you can use a scrubber or paper towel to wipe off any visible mold and clean as much of the machine as you can.

Don’t forget to go along the door seal where water can sometimes pool and cause mold to appear! Repeat this method every month or two to stop the mold from reappearing and keep your machine feeling and smelling fresh.

Alternatively, you can buy mold removers and washing machine cleaners that will remove black mold from your washing machine. These cleaners operate similarly and require you to run a hot cycle for them to work.

Sometimes they can have bleach or other chemicals that work to kill the bleach and prevent its return. 

When it comes to using these chemicals, be sure to check there are no ingredients that any of your family members are allergic to. You don’t want to fix the mold only to cause an allergic reaction! 

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Is washing machine mold dangerous to health?

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