When you notice pink mold in Dishwasher, it may be a cause for concern. In this article, we will discuss what the pink mold in your dishwasher is, why pink mold appears in the dishwasher, and if the pink mold in the dishwasher is harmful. We will also discuss if it can make you sick, why it keeps returning to your Dishwasher even after you clean it out, and how to get rid of it permanently.
What is pink mold?
Let’s get some things straight. Firstly, pink mold is not a mold, but a bacteria called Serratia marcescens. Secondly, pink molds can be anything from bright red to orange, depending on the temperature of the environment it grows.
Pink molds naturally occur in the environment like most bacteria but thrive in humid places. That is why you can easily find pink mold in humidifiers, in your bathroom, and your Dishwasher
Let’s do a little study on microbiology. There are more microorganisms than there are humans, and they are everywhere. Most of these microorganisms are benign, a few are harmful, and some become harmful in the right environment.
Like humans, microorganisms need a few things to survive: food, appropriate temperature, oxygen, and a favorable pH. When microorganisms find the right environment that meets their requirements for these essentials, they will thrive.
The Dishwasher provides Serratia marcescens with the perfect place for growth: not only does it have the right temperature, but it is also damp and often contains food debris and grease, which encourage the growth of these pink molds. That is why it keeps coming back even after you may have cleaned it up.
Is pink mold harmful?
Yes. They can cause a lot of severe diseases, especially in immunocompromised people (People who are suffering from other diseases that reduce their immunity); It is not surprising that most people who suffer from pink mold infections acquire them from hospitals. Pink usually causes infections in the Urinary tract, the respiratory tract, uncovered wounds, and eyes.
Since pink molds can cause all these harmful diseases, it is important to keep dishwashers clean and free of debris and grease.
How do I get rid of pink mold in My Dishwasher?
Pink molds pose significant health risks to humans but are also disgusting. So, even though you may not have suffered an infection from dishwashers with pink molds, you must get rid of them and keep your Dishwasher clean and sparkling. I will share some things you can do to clean an infected dishwasher without breaking the bank.
Below is a table summarizing all the methods you can use to remove pink mold growth, their cost, pros, and cons
| Cleaning method | Cost | Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Synthetic Cleaning chemicals | Affordable | – It is cheap – It can be efficient – You achieve desired result rapidly | – Microorganisms can develop resistance – Can cause adverse health effects |
| 2 | Homemade cleaning agents | Very affordable | – It’s very cheap – It is efficient – You achieve desired results – Environmentally friendly | – Not as effective as synthetic cleaning chemicals – Has a strong odor that can cause discomfort |
| 3 | Technology that uses probiotics | Expensive | – Super efficient – Achieves the desired result – Long-lasting solution – Super healthy – Improves air quality | – Expensive – May take a while to see the results |
Cleaning Procedures To disinfect your Dishwasher
Dismantle the Dishwasher
To get a deeper clean, dismantle the Dishwasher using the user manual that came with the Dishwasher. If you cannot find the manual, please check on the internet. Take out all the removable parts and separate them into metal and plastic categories.
Clean the drainage
With your hands (remember to wear gloves), remove every foreign material from the drainage, including bones, vegetables, grains, and other food particles. Flush the drain with water to remove small particles your fingers cannot reach. Check the holes in the spray arm; if it appears dirty, clean it up with a mixture of bleach, water, or vinegar.
Clean metal parts
Using bleach on stainless steel can cause rust. So, it is best not to clean metal parts of your Dishwasher with a bleach wash, except the manufacturers say it is safe. You can use a mixture of detergent in water or vinegar to clean stainless steel parts. You can use a brush to clean stubborn stains caused by pink molds but be careful not to break or damage fragile parts of the Dishwasher.
Clean plastic parts
Clean plastic parts of the Dishwasher with a bleach wash. Spray some bleach wash on the plastic surface and scrub with a brush. Be careful to wash off every pink mold stain, food debris, and grease. Also, make sure to use the right sizes of the brush so that you can remove molds in the tightest spaces.
Clean the Dishwasher
Spray the inside of the Dishwasher with a mixture of one part water with two parts vinegar. Clean with paper towels or any other disposable material. Next, dip a clean sponge in the vinegar mixture and wipe down the inside of the Dishwasher. Make sure you carefully clean every area of the Dishwasher and wipe out grease stains.
Please turn on the Dishwasher, put it on, and program to a quick rinse cycle. Wait for the cycle to finish, then proceed to the next step.
Reassemble the Dishwasher
Replace all the removable parts of the Dishwasher carefully. Be careful not to force any part in, as this can damage it and render the Dishwasher nonfunctional. Some parts are hard to find and may only be possible if you use an older dishwasher. After replacing all the parts, turn on the Dishwasher and run a quick rinse again.
Add a cup of bleach to your Dishwasher’s bottom and do a full wash cycle. This will help to prevent future pink mold growths in your Dishwasher. Please only do this if you have a stainless steel dishwasher.
Using Probiotic technology
Probiotic technology is a groundbreaking invention: its arrival has changed how people disinfect their houses and properties. It is a healthier and more lasting approach to solving the microbial infection problem in indoor spaces than the traditional methods.
Probiotic technology uses benign microorganisms to destroy harmful organisms in indoor spaces. These good microorganisms compete for food with the harmful ones; they also destroy protective coatings around these harmful microorganisms, which causes them to die. They do not harm humans, they do not cause microbial resistance, and they fight allergens.
All you have to do is introduce these probiotics into the air, and they disinfect the whole environment. Betterair, the company that invented this technology, sells many products you can buy and use safely in your house. To take care of pink molds using this technology, you need to buy one of Betterair’s products and plug it in. No need to clean, no need to get your hands dirty.
Pink mold in Dishwasher FAQ
Why Does Pink Mold Keep Coming Back Into My Dishwasher?
Pink mold keeps coming back because your Dishwasher provided the perfect environment for their growth: food, temperature, and moisture. To discourage their growth, remove food particles and disinfect your Dishwasher routinely.
How To Prevent Pink Mold In My Dishwasher?
Follow these steps to prevent pink mold growth
Clean regularly with vinegar to remove food debris and grease
Wash the Dishwasher with bleach quarterly. Do not use bleach for stainless steel dishwashers.
Use Betterair to kill off harmful microorganisms in the air and every other surface.
Pink molds are not molds but bacteria that grow in moist and humid environments like your dishwasher. If you notice pink mold growth in your dishwasher, you should get rid of it immediately by dismantling it and cleaning every part of the dishwasher with foamy bleach or detergent in water for stainless steel parts.
Failure to do so may lead to urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, infections of open wounds, and the eyes, especially in already sick people. If you want to prevent pink mold growth in your dishwasher, the best way to do so is to use the betterair technology. It is safe, it doesn’t harm beneficial microbes, and it doesn’t cause harmful microorganisms to become resistant.
Do you know someone who has this problem? Share this article with them and help provide them with useful information that can help them deal with the pink mold problem once and for all.
