Molds can literally damage fabrics, and when they come in contact with your skin, they can cause various health problems. Many people claim washing dirty laundry in a washing machine might kill the unwanted molds. But how much of that is true?
Does The Washing Machine Kill Mold? Yes, the washing machine can clean off all the mold from your clothes, but you might need to add some ingredients with the detergent. For instance, you can add bleach, borax, vinegar, lemon juice, and many more to get the mold away from clothes. Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are also useful.
This article focuses on giving you a clear idea about the molds that grow on clothes. I will also mention the dangerous health effects of mold and the reasons to get rid of them.
You will also get to know how to get rid of molds from clothes and how a washing machine can help you do that.
So, without any further ado, keep on reading.
What is Mold?
Mold is a type of fungus which helps the dead trees and leaves to break and maintain the ecosystem. They usually grow in damp spaces, usually seen in the kitchen or bathroom. You will also find mold growing in clothes.
It is the Aspergillus which is a type of mold that grows in clothes. They are hazardous to health. They are usually white in color and build up a layer on top of clothes. Sometimes you might find black or greenish-black ones in clothes. It can grow on clothes due to moist weather.
If the clothes are damp and the ventilation is insufficient, then mold might start to grow on your clothes. If you keep your damp clothes stored in a close area for an extended period of time, you might find mold growing on them.
Some people prefer to keep their dirty clothes dumped in the washing machine. It can also influence the growth of mold. They should not be kept in a damp state for too long.
Then again, when the stored clothes do not get enough ventilation, you might need to check them regularly because mold might grow on those clothes.
Does Mold Wash Out In The Washing Machine?
A regular clean in your washing machine will not wash away all the mold from your clothes; rather, you might need to add some special ingredients to get the mold out of your clothes. Let me provide you with a list of things that you can use while washing the clothes in a washing machine to get rid of the mold.
Things you can use to get rid of mold on your clothes:
- White Vinegar
- Borax
- Bleach
- Lemon Juice
- Baking Soda
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Mold Cleaning Detergent
Molds can destroy your favorite clothes. So, my recommendation would be to use one of these ingredients as early as possible so that the mold does not grow on it.
Suppose these ingredients are not available within your reach. I would suggest you use a brush with soft bristles to take off all the mold from your cloth and then wash them in a washing machine. It might be a helpful trick to try.
Should I Throw Away Clothes With Mold?
There is no denying that mold can damage the fabric and are dangerous for your health. You might think getting rid of the cloth will be the only solution.
But no, you should not throw away the clothes with mold. Rather you can implement various tricks to get rid of the mold and restrict them from growing again.
I recommend you to use either baking soda or vinegar to take off the mold from your clothes. You can also use mold cleaning detergent to get rid of the mold from the clothes.
Does Washing Clothes Kill Mold Spores?
Mold and mold spores can be hard to get rid of, but you can surely get rid of them once you know the tricks. Regular cleaning will not vanish the mold spores.
It would help if you used vinegar on the affected clothes so that it gets all like new. First, you need to get some hot water and add some vinegar to it. Try to avoid detergent in this stage. Vinegar is supposed to kill almost 80% of mold spores. Additionally, it will kill the unwanted pungent smell of the mold.
You should take an adequate amount of hot water and pour vinegar directly into the water. Mix them well. Then add the affected clothes and mix them with the water and vinegar mixture.
Once they are perfectly soaked, you should keep them for about an hour. After a definite time, use regular detergent and wash them properly. You will then find all the clothes cleaned and free of molds.
What Kind Of Mold Grows In Washing Machines?
Mold can inhabit a washing machine. They can spread spores, create odor and damage the quality of the washing machine. It would help if you did not neglect them but rather take the necessary steps as soon as possible.
The front-loading washing machine is the one that is prone to be attacked by mold—especially seen in the rubber seal on the door. Most of the time, the water after the wash gets trapped in the rubber seal and becomes one of the most convenient places for the mold to grow.
You also need to know that the washing machine should be properly cleaned so that it stays mold-free. Remember to clean the rubber seal perfectly so that no residue stays in it.
After every wash, clean the door with a soft cloth and keep the door open for a few minutes so that the inside portion of the washing machine dries out.
How To Prevent Mold In Washing Machine?
There are various ways to get rid of the mold from the washing machine. However, you should be very careful from the beginning so that there remain no chances for the molds to grow in your washing machine.
Tips to prevent molds in a washing machine;
- Inspect the washing machine every other day of wash.
- Clean the excess water with a soft or microfiber cloth after every wash.
- Clean the detergent dispensers from the washing machine with a cleaning solution.
- Use a good quality detergent that has nothing to damage the washing machine and whose residue will not initiate mold.
- Do not keep the washing machine loaded for a long period of time.
Remember, things will last longer with proper care and maintenance. So, it is your responsibility to keep the washing machine uptight. A few minutes of maintenance might save you thousands of bucks.
Does Mold on Clothes Affect Humans?
Mold on clothes can leave long-term adverse health effects. They should not be ignored; rather, proper steps should be taken to eradicate the mold from your clothes.
It is the Aspergillus species that grows in clothes and can affect human health. It can be easily inhaled and can cause respiratory problems. In extreme situations, it can also cause fever and give rise to asthma.
When the mold comes in contact with your skin, it can cause allergic reactions. It also causes rashes. Some of you might suffer from headaches, fatigue, and sometimes dizziness. In serious cases, mold might weaken the immune system and invite serious infection.
How Do You Remove Black Mold From The Washing Machine Rubber Seal?
Since the washing machine’s door is water-tight and air-tight, it usually stays moist after every wash. However, the constant moisture can cause the washing machine huge damage by inviting mold, which can also create an unbearable smell inside it.
Black mold is usually found in the front-loading machine, which has air-tight and water-tight doors. The moisture and the residue of the detergent give rise to mold inside the washing machine.
In order to remove the washing machine effectively, you need to use a productive cleaner. It can be made using home remedies, or you can buy one from the store.
Homemade Remedy to Clean Black Mold from Washing Machine:
Take water in a pot and add an adequate amount of lemon juice. Now add some hydrogen peroxide to the mixture and mix them well. Both lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide will work magically on mold.
You can also replace hydrogen peroxide with vinegar if you currently do not have hydrogen peroxide. I would suggest you pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray an adequate amount while cleaning the mold.
But if you want to use a ready-made mold cleaner, then I would suggest you take proper precautionary measures like wearing gloves and an apron. Please follow the package instruction to avoid any kind of danger.
Related Questions
Does Mold Come Out In Wash?
No, regular cleaning might not take off the mold perfectly. But if you add some vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, or hydrogen peroxide while washing the clothes, it might completely take off the mold.
Remember, these products are very much effective in cleaning the mold from your clothes. But if you are not comfortable using these products, you can always use mold cleaning detergent.
Can I Put Moldy Clothes In The Washing Machine?
Yes, you can definitely put moldy clothes in the washing machine. Washing moldy clothes might be one of the effective ways to get rid of them. You just need to add some vinegar or lemon juice beforehand so that the molds come off.
After that, rise in the clothes like a regular cleaning schedule; however, if you want, you can use a brush with soft bristles to take off the mold first and then wash them in the washing machine in a regular way.
What Are Signs Of Mold Sickness?
Molds can cause serious health problems; some of these might have long-term effects. The signs of mold sickness include;
- Weakness & Fatigue
- Muscle Aches, Pains, and Cramps
- Constant Nerve Pain
- Memory Problem
- Headache
- Numbness
- Asthma
- Sinus Problem
- Shortness of Breath
- Excessive Thirst
- Body Temperature Regulation
- Increase Urination
- Night Sweats
Does Laundry Detergent Kill Mold?
Laundry detergent simply does not kill mold. You need to buy mold cleaning detergent to eradicate the mold from clothes. You can also try out some home remedies to clean out the mold, like; vinegar or lemon juice.
