Mold in Laundry Room

Washing clothes and then drying them places a lot of heat and humidity in the air, making mold in your laundry room a real concern. Mold loves warmer temperatures and moisture and your laundry room can be a perfect place to find those conditions. Many times the laundry area is in a basement and basements usually are darker than the rest of your home, making mold growth an even bigger threat. Mold is associated with many different health risks including respiratory disorders and allergic reactions. Eliminating mold from your home is critical to ensure a healthy environment for your family.

Because of the presence of higher humidity (moisture) and increased temperature, your laundry room is the perfect environment for mold growth. In addition, baskets of damp clothing an add to these conditions. Laundry rooms should be high on your list of rooms in your home to check for mold growth.

Causes of Laundry Room Mold

Mold requires warm, damp and humid spaces to grow. Laundry rooms, in particular, can provide these ideal conditions:

• A major cause of mold in laundry rooms are piles (or hampers) of soiled, wet clothes. Usually, clothes that are damp or wet are piled there waiting for washing. This adds humidity and the potential of mold growth.
• Drying clothes in a dryer can also release large amounts of heat and moisture. This can be especially true when the dryer vent is not directed outside. Sometimes clothing that is not suitable to be dried in your dryer end up being hung up to dry in the room.
• Any water drips or leaks also add to the already damp conditions.

Inspect for Mold In Laundry Rooms

To ensure that your laundry room is kept free of mold, you should perform regular inspections to identify any potential for the mold growth. Constantly being on the lookout will help you catch any mold problem early and prevent a lot of damage and expense:

• Check the washer hoses and fittings for leaks. Off balance vibrations of the washing machine can sometimes loosen connections.
• Obvious signs of cracks and wear in the washing machine supply lines should be addressed immediately.
• Be aware of any condensation buildup on the laundry room walls.

Prevention

Here are a few tips you can follow to maintain a dry mold-free laundry room:

• Clean and maintain the appliances on a regular basis. Front load washing machines, in particular, have areas that encourage moisture buildup. Washing machines doors should be cleaned regularly and kept open when not in use.
• Wash clothes and dry them immediately. Piles of damp clothes can increase moisture in the air.
• Leave laundry room doors open as much as possible to lower humidity.
• Vent dryers to the outside air.
• Keep the floors clean and dry.
• Avoid any leaks by making sure that supply lines and hose connections are tight..

Mold in your laundry room can be quite a nuisance, causing damage to your home, appliances, and clothes, and most importantly, your health. Even the smallest amount of mold can be harmful. Mold should be removed immediately. When you discover mold in your home you should call the mold removal professionals at Water Mold Fire Restoration at 800-905-0277. Our mold remediation experts are available 24/7 to answer any questions and concerns you may have. You can also email your inquiries to help@watermoldfire.net.