Laundry Mold: How to Identify the Problem and Fix It Quickly

Kitchens and bathrooms get most of the attention, but the laundry room also offers an ideal environment for mold to grow and spread. A combination of humidity and limited ventilation leads to air moisture that has nowhere to go, and mold spores can soon start to form and circulate in the laundry room and the rest of the house.

While normal levels of household mold aren’t usually something to worry about, increased mold levels can often lead to significant health problems and structural damage. When you experience mold problems in your home’s laundry room or any other part of the house, Central Florida Restoration Solutions provides mold remediation services that eliminate the issue and keep you and your family safe.

The Dangers of Laundry Room Mold

Discovering mold in your laundry room isn’t always a reason for concern. However, when a mold outbreak in any room is left unaddressed, it can cause various health-related issues like coughing, wheezing, allergic reactions, eye irritation, and sinus congestion.

There are several reasons why mold goes unnoticed in a laundry room:

• Many homeowners think the musty smell is normal.
• Appliances and cabinets may restrict visual observation of leaks, moisture accumulation, and mold.
• While the room sees a lot of action, it isn’t used as frequently as other rooms in the house.
• A hidden pipe leak is creating a place for mold to grow.
• People perform laundry-related tasks that promote the growth and spread of mold.

The bottom line? Nearly every laundry room has the essential ingredients mold needs to grow. The important thing is to have it taken care of as soon as you notice it.

How to Prevent Laundry Mold Damage

All mold needs to survive and replicate is a bountiful supply of moisture, darkness, and decaying organic material. Hampers, front-loading washing machines, and dryers have an abundance of all three.

Even if your home doesn’t generally experience moisture issues, daily clothes-washing habits could be inviting mold into the laundry room. Are you making one or more of these mistakes with your laundry?

1. Hamper habits – If you have hampers in every bedroom and the laundry room, clothing, towels, and other moist materials can sit in them for days before being washed. That gives mold spores plenty of time to start growing and multiplying.
2. Sporting gear – Workout, yoga, and sports gear are often damp when people toss them in the hamper or laundry chute, where they can sit for a week or more. The sooner these clothing items are laundered, the better.
3. Food stains – Dish towels used for cleaning milk spills, lunch remains on your child’s sweatshirt, and rags used to clean out the fridge contain dream conditions for mold. These items should be washed immediately or at least soaked and dried before being tossed in the laundry basket.
4. Piles of wet towels – Wet washcloths, hand and body towels, and bathroom rugs are nearly as bad as food-soiled laundry for attracting mold. Try to avoid letting these items sit for too long without throwing them in the washing machine.

To prevent mold growth in your front-loading washer or any model dryer:

• Wipe down the interior of each machine after every use.
• Periodically check to see that pipes, hoses, and plumbing hookups are secure and not leaking. Because many leaks are hidden, look for black and bluish stains on the wall, which could indicate mold-infested drywall or insulation.
• Clean out the dryer’s lint hose at least once or twice a month; weekly is best.
• Make it a habit to remove and clean the lint trap after every load so the next person using the machine doesn’t have to do it.
• Leave the door of the washer open after each cycle to help prevent interior moisture buildup.

You can try some DIY solutions to manage small amounts of laundry room mold or to keep it from appearing, like these:

1. Use a scrub brush and hot water to wipe down all surfaces.
2. Install a fan to improve air circulation.
3. Use a dehumidifier to keep humidity levels in check.
4. Repair noticeable water leaks immediately.

Unfortunately, once mold starts to breed in the laundry room, it can quickly get out of control. In those cases, professional mold remediation can thoroughly eliminate the problem and help keep your laundry room mold-free.

Professional Mold Damage Services You Can Depend On

Don’t let a laundry room mold problem spread to the rest of your house! Instead, once discovered, contact the specialists at CFRS who, for more than 25 years, have helped Central Florida homeowners remediate and restore their home’s mold growth and damage.

Our skilled technicians use the industry’s latest tools and techniques to safely remove mold and mitigate any harm it might do to your home. We also provide water damage, fire damage, and smoke damage solutions you can depend on. Contact us today to learn more or schedule prompt and friendly services.