Mold in a Laundry Room

Mold can grow in wet conditions or in conditions of elevated relative humidity, both of which develop in laundry rooms. Most molds found in such spaces are commonly called mildew and are plant-like organisms that grow along surfaces and digest biodegradable substances like surface dust and soap scum. It’s impossible to remove all foods for mold from an environment, but you can reduce moisture, even in a laundry room, which will minimize mold growth.

Breathing in living or dead mold spores can cause health symptoms, so you don’t want mold to remain in spaces where you spend time.With very few exceptions, however, mold does not degrade wood, but wood-decaying fungi may be present if the washing machine or a pipe has had a long-term leak, or if water has been consistently infiltrating from the exterior. If you see rotten or soft wood or even mushrooms, or there’s a water stain on a wall or the ceiling and the stain appears to be spreading, a contractor should evaluate the room, as structural repairs may be needed.

Where Might Mold Be Growing in a Laundry Room?

Mold can grow in the dust on the walls, ceiling, shelves, and door, as well as on the floor underneath or the walls behind the washing machine, if the appliance has been leaking. Visible mold growth is unsightly and should be removed. Smelly mold or bacteria may also be growing inside the washing machine (see “Washing Machine” section).

Why Is the Mold Growing There?

Laundry rooms get moldy because there’s too much moisture present in either the liquid form (water) or vapor form (humidity). Any room that contains water, such as a laundry room, is prone to leaks and flooding. Laundry rooms can also develop conditions of elevated relative humidity that can lead to mold growth (some molds can grow when the relative humidity is in excess of 75 to 80%), if the dryer hose is loose, torn or blocked; or because the dryer is being vented into the room on purpose.Any of these conditions will introduce pounds of moisture into the room every time you dry a load of laundry.