The washing machine is designed to facilitate household maintenance, but sometimes this irreplaceable device becomes a source of trouble. One of the most common problems faced by owners of modern washing machines is a mold that has settled on the internal or external parts of the unit.
Black mold appears in our homes quite often, but it can not be detected immediately. The danger is that it spreads very quickly around the apartment. Mold can harm the health of the household, so it must be disposed of immediately. In this article we will tell you about why black mold grows in a washing machine, how to get it out and how to make it so that an uninvited guest does not appear any more.
Where does mold most often appear?
Mold always appears in rooms with a high level of humidity - usually a bathroom and a kitchen. To avoid this, you need to install in these rooms a good ventilation system and constantly carry out ventilation. In addition, care must be taken to ensure that condensation does not settle on the surfaces, and moisture does not accumulate.
However, even if the room is in an ideal condition, the mold can penetrate into those places that are constantly in contact with water. For example, in a washing machine. The plastic and rubber parts of the device are the most exposed to the danger - these materials "love" the most.
Black mold most often can be found:
- on the rubber cuff, sealing the door of the loading hatch( in the people - "rubber band");
- on the walls of the container, into which the detergents are poured;
- on the internal or external surfaces of hoses - draining and filling;
- in the drain filter.
Once you have managed to determine the source of mold growth, you must immediately take action, otherwise it will spread to other elements of the washing machine.
Reasons for
Obligatory conditions for the appearance of mold are heat and moisture. As soon as these two factors meet together, the appearance of a black plaque is almost inevitable. The washing machine is already in the risk zone, and careless operation of the device further aggravates the situation. The appearance of mold usually leads to a lack of proper care for the stiralkoy.
Usually this problem is faced by those housewives who:
- exceed the recommended dosage of detergent and conditioner for laundry;
- do not use at least bleach and disinfectants for washing;
- prefer to wash clothes at low water temperatures;
- use mostly accelerated washing mode;
- does not arrange for periodic cleaning of the internal parts of the washing machine from scale, and do not prevent the occurrence of plaque;
- after the completion of the wash cycle, the raw laundry is left for a long time in the hatch;
- does not dry the drum and rubber cuff after washing;
- does not clean the detergent supply container from household chemical residues.
Mold Removal Tools
It is possible to fight with mold both with improvised means, and with the help of ready-made shop preparations. Consider the most popular recipes, which have proven their effectiveness many times.
Cleaners and disinfectants based on chlorine. Chlorine has an excellent antiseptic effect, it quickly destroys all harmful( and not so) microorganisms. It is enough to apply the chlorine-containing drug to the places affected by mold and leave for a few minutes. Do not forget to rinse off with plenty of water. In contact with chlorine, protect the skin of the hands, mucous membranes and respiratory tract.
We offer a short video guide on the application of this method of mold removal.
Dishwashing liquid. It is not possible to get rid of mold completely with the help of this household chemistry, but it will help to safely remove the black coating. After you have washed the mold with a dishwashing liquid, treat the affected area with an antiseptic.
Citric acid. In combination with detergent powder, citric acid softens and gently eliminates mold plaque. But in order for the product to act, it is necessary to apply a mixture diluted with water on the moldy areas and leave for about a day. After the due time, scrape the remnants of the product with a damp sponge.
Prevention
- Mold is afraid of hot water so when it does not harm things, try to wash it at maximum temperature.
- From time to time, wash items with bleach. Or every few months, run a washing program with an empty hatch, filling the drum with a disinfectant.
- Clean the drum and rubber cuff with a dry cloth every time you finish washing. Do not close the door of the hatch, let it be a little bit open.
