You may be aware of the dangers of mold when it comes to leaky basements or attics, but have you ever considered that it might be lurking in some of your household appliances?
A new study found that 62% of dishwashers contain mold and about half of these were also home to a black yeast that can cause illness. In dishwashers, the rubber gasket around the door is typically the culprit, providing a welcoming – i.e. perpetually moist – environment for mold and other organisms to flourish. Dirt and debris can collect in this area because it’s not cleared out with the wash cycle.
It turns out that your vacuum cleaner may also be home to mold and other allergens. Human detritus – skin cells, hair, and so on – collects on your floor, where vacuuming can actually kick it back into the air. Your vacuum actually creates dust – aerosolized dust that contains small, breathable particles. Once it’s gone through the machine, it can also be re-released in breathable form. Older models in particular are prone to this type of phenomenon.
The good news is that these types of situations are preventable. Some tips:
- Use a vacuum with a hepa filter – although it’s not perfect in removing allergens, it eliminates most
- Use a microfibre or electrostatic duster (not feathers!)
- Change your vacuum’s filter regularly
- Get rid of old carpets and area rugs where those biological scraps and moisture can linger and create mold
- Clean the rubber gasket of your dishwasher regularly – once a month at least
- Clean around the dishwasher’s drain to make sure water is exiting properly
Just like your home itself, when it comes to appliances, proper and regular maintenance and repairs are the keys to avoiding mold infestation.
A Lingering Smell…
A persistent, musty odour may be your only outward sign of mold infestation. It can begin to infest your home from even a pinhole sized leak in plumbing or a loose shingle on the roof and begin to grow inside walls and floors where you’ll never see it. Once it’s established, mold spores can enter your HVAC system and disseminate throughout your home.
You may also notice the health effects of mold before you actually see it – including respiratory, nose, throat and eye irritation and other flu-like symptoms.
We Can Help
Get help from the experts at MoldInspections.ca. Please call us for a hassle-free quote today.
MoldInspections.ca is the trusted leader for mold-free homes and breathable indoor air spaces in Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and beyond. Providing certified mold inspection, detection and testing since 2005, we service home owners, real-estate agents, landlords, property managers, insurance companies and businesses. Featured on CTV and Global news, official supplier to HGTV’s Income Properties with Scott McGillivray and Leave It To Bryan and recommended by local contractors, we regularly serve as expert witnesses in court proceeding relating to Mold and Indoor Air Quality issues. Do you have mold? Call us today for a free quote at (416) 575-6111.