Your home’s air ducts can accumulate dirt, dust, dander, fungi, and mold over time. Improve your family’s health and well-being by keeping your air ducts as clean as possible.

By keeping mold out of your home to prevent unhealthy effects, you must go beyond just cleaning your air ducts.

So what are the 5 top household appliances you must pay extra attention to?

1. Hot Water Heater

A hot water heater leak can cause a lot of damage to your floor and it can also lead to the growth of mold in your home. Mold from a hot water heater that leaks can do further damage to your flooring and can also cause numerous health problems, including allergic reactions and respiratory disorders. Tip: Dry areas immediately. Try to clean and dry areas subjected to water within 48 hours to help prevent mold growth.

2. Front-Loading Washing Machine

Washing machine mold, which is typically found on the rubber gasket of front-loading machines, is a common household problem. Mold feeds on the moisture and detergent residue that the machine produces. Tip: Leave the door open after each wash to allow moisture inside the machine to escape.

3. Humidifier

When humidity is too high, however, common allergens like dust mites, mold, and pollen can thrive and also make exacerbate symptoms. This is why well-balanced humidity levels are crucial for keeping allergies at bay. However, room humidifiers need daily maintenance to ensure they run properly. Stagnant water in the filter can lead to mold growth very quickly. Tip: Add one cup of white vinegar to the water in your humidifier to prevent mold growth.

4. Air Conditioning

Mold does have a tendency to grow inside air conditioners that sit unused for a while. When cool air flows through ductwork in the hot summer months, moisture in the air can condense inside the vent and ducts. This moisture makes a great breeding ground for fungal and mold growth. Tip: Use the “auto” function on your air conditioning unit. This will continuously cycle the air in your home while you’re away for a long period of time.

5. Refrigerator

The moisture and lack of ventilation in a refrigerator provide ideal conditions for mold growth, and some of the types that grow on food can be harmful; they produce toxins that cause allergic reactions and even cancer.

Tip: Wipe down the walls, ceiling, shelves, and compartments after emptying the refrigerator.

Here at Clean Ducts Orlando, we’ve helped families like yours to rid their homes of the threat of mold. Give us a call and let us take care of your home.