The Sneaky Kitchen Appliances Most Likely To Develop Mold

Shockingly, nearly half of all homes in the U.S. have mold or mold-encouraging conditions. While not all types of mold can cause severe health issues, some, like black mold, can. Black mold can be a huge factor in persistent health problems like headaches, congestion, sinus infections, and asthma. If you suspect there might be mold in your home, there are some places you might already know to check, like your bathroom. But did you know some of your kitchen appliances might be hiding this nasty family of fungi? Any appliance that creates a humid, enclosed environment is a prime suspect for harboring mold. Dishwashers, refrigerators, and coffee makers are appliances you might not suspect of containing it, though.

It might be disconcerting to realize that your home, let alone the appliances you use, could be harboring mold. While it makes sense that your refrigerator or coffee maker can grow mold, it may seem strange that something that washes your dishes could do the same. But what these appliances have in common is that they create the perfect environment for fungus to grow. Mold can thrive in our appliances because of a lack of airflow, standing water or moisture, and the presence of food particles. The good news is, there are some simple things you can do if you find mold in your kitchen appliances.

There are ways to prevent mold from entering your home. And when it comes to kitchen appliances, the key is airflow. At the end of your dishwasher's cleaning cycle, prop the door open to let it air-dry. You should also remove any food debris after each use of your dishwasher. You will need to do a cleaning cycle with vinegar once a month to stifle mold growth. Just add a cup of vinegar to your empty dishwasher and let it run. After that, use a cloth soaked in vinegar to wipe down the rubber seals.

For the refrigerator: Be sure to remove any food that is on the verge of spoiling, wipe up spills immediately, and clean with a vinegar solution at least once a week. Wipe down the rubber seal with vinegar as well. Always go back over with a dry cloth or paper towel to prevent moisture build-up.

Coffee machines, especially those similar to the Keurig, are notorious for hiding mold. It's vital to prevent mold growth inside your machine by giving it a deep clean at least once a month. Water can sit in the tank and in the hoses, creating the perfect environment for it to grow. Thankfully, you can just run a descale cycle to prevent this. Check your manual and use either vinegar and water or the recommended cleaning solution. Not only will you reduce the risk of exposing yourself to mold, but you will also have better coffee.