If you wipe down surfaces regularly, you may think that you’re keeping your house clean. It may look that way, but there could be more going on. There may be places in your house where there’s more than dust hanging out. Mold can hide in many places in your home, many of which you may not notice. If you hire a weekly cleaning service, they can look at these places to make sure they’re clean and there’s no mold growing.
Why is Mold Dangerous?
While mold can be unsightly, it can be dangerous too. Mold grows and thrives in warm, moist, and dark environments There are many people who are affected by it, sometimes leading to serious consequences. According to the Centers for Disease Control, mold can cause nasal stuffiness, coughing, wheezing, and eye and skin irritation. Some people with compromised immune systems and lung problems may suffer from serious lung infections. This is why it’s so important to make sure no mold is lurking in your house.
Where Does Mold Hide?
As you go around your house looking for places that mold may be hiding, think about warm, dark, and moist areas. Here are several to check out:
Under Kitchen & Bathroom Sinks
Since we know that mold thrives in dark environments, you may find mold under your kitchen or bathroom sink. If there are any leaks, this may be even more likely because of the moisture that’s formed. If you spot mold growing, use a cleaning solution with a bleach or hydrogen-peroxide base to get things clean.
Inside the Toothbrush Holder
Think about all of the water that drips from your toothbrush after you use it and put it in the holder. Where does that water go? Nowhere. It sits in the bottom of the cup, making it a breeding ground for mold. Clean the cup regularly to avoid mold from calling it home.
Your Kids’ Toys
If you have small children, you may want to go through their toy box to check for moldy toys, especially if your child tends to put the toys in their mouth. If possible run them through the dishwasher to get them clean. Don’t forget bath toys! These are probably the biggest mold carriers when it comes to toys. After your child plays with the toy in the bath, it probably sits in the tub. If this is the case, then those toys definitely need a date with the dishwasher. Even if you hire a weekly cleaning service, this won’t be on their to-do list, so it needs to be on yours.
Under Floor Mats
Sure, floor mats are great to wipe off your feet, but do you ever lift them up? If you don’t, mold may be getting trapped beneath them because of all the moisture that can accumulate underneath them. Make it a habit to lift them up and air them out so that mold doesn’t start forming.
Refrigerator and Freezer Drip Pans
How many times do you look under your fridge? Probably never. Well, moisture collects under there as well as food spills making it an ideal environment for mold to grow. To prevent this, clean the drip pans with a hydrogen peroxide solution and wipe it clean with a rag. You’ll also want to clean the floor under the pan to make sure you’ve gotten it all.
Front-Loading Washing Machines
Since your washing machine is supposed to be the place where your clothes get clean, you may wonder how and why it gets dirty and can become a breeding ground for mold. The gasket around the door can stay wet and if there’s lint there too, mold will form. Simply wipe the gasket and glass dry before you shut the door so mold won’t start growing. If you do see mold, run the washing machine on a hot water wash with some chlorine bleach to kill it.
Window Seals
If you have older windows, mold may have a better chance of growing because the seals are not as tight as with newer windows. There is a lot of condensation in these areas, which mold loves. When there is a heavy rain, be sure to open the windows and wipe the moisture from the bottoms of the sashes and window sills. If you notice that the seals are no longer doing their job, then it’s time to replace them. This will not only prevent mold from growing, but will also help to better insulate your house.
Air Conditioners
Air conditioners are great to keep you cool, but if they can also turn into mold magnets. Air conditioning units trap dust and pollen and grab moisture from the air. When it’s warm you need to run your AC unit at least once every 24 hours to avoid the humidity in your house to climb which could lead to mold growing in ducts, pans, and on coils. In order to get mold out of an air conditioning unit, you’ll have to call a professional.
If you have a window unit and see mold forming, remove the front plate, clean it with a HEPA filter vacuum and flush out the coils. You can also clean the drain pan with a solution of bleach and water.
Are You Ready to Hire Weekly Cleaning Service?
If you want to keep your home clean and mold-free, hire weekly cleaning service. Professional cleaners know where mold likes to work and they’ll do their best to keep your home sparkling. Prevent mold before it’s a problem with a thorough maid service. The team at Maid Luxe will dust all surfaces, vacuum the floors, wipe off blinds and ceiling fans, and even make your bed! You can choose from a variety of service packages to find the one that best suits your needs. When your home is cleaned regularly, there is less of a chance for mold to form or for other problems to occur.
Whichever package you choose, you can expect professional service at reasonable prices. To maintain the cleanliness of your home, you may also want to consider regularly scheduled visits by our Maid Luxe team.
