Mold thrives in damp, moist areas.
Mold tends to grow in warm, damp environments, which makes a dishwasher the perfect habitat for the persistent --- and sometimes dangerous --- fungi. Left unchecked, mold can cause eye and skin irritation, wheezing, nasal congestion and asthma, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If mold finds its way to your dishwasher basket, it can spread to your flatware and settle on your hands and in your mouth. Clean and disinfect the basket regularly to prevent mold buildup and possible illness.
Instructions
1. Wash off any visible mold from the basket with dishwashing liquid and a toothbrush or nylon scrubber. Use a dish soap that does not contain ammonia, which will react with the chlorine bleach you will use to disinfect the basket. If the mold is persistent, use a razor blade to scrape it away, but be careful not to cut into the plastic.
2. Combine 1/2 cup chlorine bleach with 1 gallon water in a bucket. Use 1 cup bleach if the mold is still visible on the dishwasher basket.
3. Submerge the basket in the solution for 15 to 30 minutes.
4. Wash the bleach solution off the basket with a dishwashing liquid that does not contain ammonia.
5. Dry the basket quickly and thoroughly. Place it in direct sunlight for a few hours to remove any microscopic traces of mold.
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