Mold can be an unwanted visitor in many of our homes, and aside from looking unsightly and smelling pretty foul, it can make us sick, too.
If mold should happen to be lurking somewhere out of sight in your home, you may find yourself waking up in the morning with sore eyes, a runny nose and sneezing a lot, all symptoms of an allergy. While allergies can vary from mild to the severe, either way they are not pleasant, and if you suspect that mold might be the cause of yours or your family’s allergies, then take a look at the list below of the top 5 places where mold can lurk and how best to eliminate it safely from your home:
- Washing Machine
Considering how often we use our washing machines, and how much water flows through it, it’s perhaps not surprising that mold should quickly and easily build up there. Front loading washing machines are the main magnets for mold, and it can often be found on and around the door gasket. The door is naturally damp, but it can remain so if the door is closed while the machine is not in use. Avoiding this is easy though; simply ensure that you wipe down the gasket and glass after every load and before closing the door, and if you find any mold, program the machine to run a hot wash with bleach and that should kill off any traces of fungi.
- Windows
Most of us will admit to not getting our windows cleaned quite as often as we should, but unfortunately they are a prime target for mold. The dust, dirt and moisture that can quickly build up on window seals and sashes – especially when they are not cleaned regularly – makes great food for fungi.
If you don’t want to clean your windows every week or month, then at least make sure that you wipe away all of the moisture and condensation after a period of rain, and try to keep an eye on the window seals to ensure that they’re not faulty.
- A/C units
If your air conditioning unit has already been attacked by mold, then it might be best to employ the services of a professional to get it cleaned safely, and to ensure that all of the mold is completely eliminated. Air conditioning units that are dirty can also affect our health, and they can become breeding grounds not only for mold, but for other more harmful germs and bacteria.
To avoid the build-up of mold however, it’s advisable to run the a/c unit at least once every 24 hours in warm weather.
- Refrigerator
We’re actually talking more about the drip pan underneath the fridge, although the door seals of your fridge may play host to mold too. If this is the case, simply wipe them down with hot water and an antibacterial solution, taking care not to get it anywhere the contents of your fridge.
The drip pan is often forgotten about during our cleaning routines, and usually because it can’t be seen easily, but as with the door seal, wiping it down at least twice a year, should prevent the build-up of mold.
- Chimney
Most of the dirt and debris gets caught in between the brickwork of your chimney, and this is where you will usually find mold growing.
Arranging for your chimney to be swept at least once a year, will help ensure that it doesn’t play host to too many nasty germs and fungi, as should replacing any faulty parts of your chimney.
