Mold is very determined, meaning it will try to grow anything if it can.
It can grow on many different materials, but mold on rubber can be troublesome and even hard to detect.
Mold growth can easily form on rubber-based items such air conditioning seals, gaskets, coatings, or seals inside your washing machine.
Especially if they are exposed to excessive moisture.
If you find mold growth on rubber surfaces in your home or office, it is important to act quickly to prevent damage. Removing mold growth from rubber based items can be tedious and take a lot of time.
Why does rubber get black spots or mold growth?
Have you ever wondered why mold grows on rubber? Here are some common reasons why this happens.
- Rubber is a porous material, which means mold has plenty of nooks and crannies within the surface where it can hide out before you notice its presence! If there is a constant source of moisture, like leaking pipes or flooding, then mold will begin to grow onto the rubber item eventually.
- Moisture from washing machines or dishwashers that aren’t draining properly could also contribute to an increased rate at which mold grows on rubber materials like gaskets since water sits stagnant inside without proper drainage. This is the perfect condition to promote mold growth.
- Mold can also grow on rubber that has been improperly stored or left out in moist environments. If mold spores are present, then the excess moisture will cause mold to start growing within a short span of time.
- Finally, mold growth on rubber may be due to age – if your washing machine is more than five years old and isn’t properly maintained it might have a lot of mold already growing inside its gasket since this area tends to collect water over time which creates an ideal environment for mold to spread. This could lead you down the road of needing costly repairs just because you didn’t notice mold early enough before any major damage was done!
How do you remove mold from silicone rubber?
You can remove molds growing on rubber items by applying the following steps.
Items needed:
- Detergent,
- White distilled vinegar, or other cleaning solution.
- Microfiber cloth
- Gloves and safety glasses
- Bucket or other container
Steps:
- Put on a safety glasses and good rubber gloves.
- Prepare a detergent solution with warm water in the bucket or other suitable container. If using vinegar, add about 1 tablespoon of vinegar to the water and detergent solution.
- Take the silicone rubber material and submerge it in the solution for about 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, remove the item from the detergent and water solution and use a damp cloth to scrub the mold growth from the surface of the item. If the item has small hard to reach crevasses, use a small thick bristle brush like the one pictured below. This will get in those hard-to-reach areas.
- After all the mold growth have been removed, rise the item under warm running water.
- Then use a microfiber cloth the dry the item.
How to use baking soda to clean rubber items with mold growth
You can use baking soda to clean mold from rubber as well. This is a safe and powerful alternative.
Items needed:
- Box of baking soda
- Water
- Rubber gloves and eye protection
- Microfiber of other soft cloth
- Bucket or another container
Steps
- Place warm water in the bucket and submerge the item to be cleaned. For larger items, you can simply wet the material with a spray bottle.
- Mix 3 table spoons of baking soda and one ounce of water until it creates a smooth paste.
- Apply the baking soda and water mixture on a damp cloth.
- Spread the mixture over the entire affected area and allow it to remain for 3-5 minutes.
- After five minutes, use the cloth to gently scrub the moldy areas.
- After all the molds have been removed, rinse the item under warm water.
- Use a cloth to dry the item or allow to air dry.
How do you remove black mold from washing machine rubber seal?
The rubber seal on a washing machine is one of the most vulnerable parts for mold to grow.
When you clean your washing machine, make sure that you take off the rubber seal if you can and scrub it down with a detergent solution.
If there are any stubborn stains or patches of mold growth, then use a scouring pad dipped in bleach to get rid of them.
Remember to always use rubber gloves and eye protection when using chemicals to clean
White distilled vinegar is another solution that can be used to clean mold growth from your washing machine rubber seal. Simply apply the distilled vinegar to a clean cloth and wipe the areas down. Doing this frequently will prevent mold growth around the rubber seals.
After you have finished cleaning the rubber seal, rinse it thoroughly with water and allow it to dry before re-installing it back onto your washing machine drum.
Does bleach (sodium hypochlorite) damage rubber seals?
Did you know that bleach can damage the rubber seals in your washing machine?
If too much bleach is used frequently to clean rubber products, over time the materials can become weak and begin to deteriorate.
Chlorine Bleach can contain up to 7.5% sodium hypochlorite, which is a very corrosive chemical.
So always use caution and be careful when using bleach on rubber seals or gaskets in your home. Overuse of bleach can lead to damaged seals and other rubber based materials.