Is Mold and Bacteria Hiding in Your Home?

Now that you know where dirt hides, discover the places mold and bacteria may be lurking.

8 Places Mold and Bacteria Hides

Some areas are more prone to mold and bacteria growth. These are the humid areas of the home that may not get properly ventilated or where leaks could go undetected. Some are similar to the areas where dirt and grime can hide, so pay extra close attention to these hotspots in your home.

1. Basements, attics, and crawl spaces. These rooms are often damp, dark, and poorly ventilated, creating ideal conditions for mold growth.
2. Bathrooms. Steam from showers and moisture from sinks can mean mold is hiding in grout, under cabinets, and on shower curtains.
3. Kitchens. Plumbing leaks under sinks, behind dishwashers, or around refrigerators can create hidden moisture pockets.
4. Laundry rooms. Washing machines can also leak. Poorly ventilated dryers create moisture. Damp or dripping clothes left sitting in and around these machines can all lead to mold growth.
5. Inside walls. Leaky pipes and roofs can go unnoticed until the damage is significant and mold is growing behind walls.
6. Under carpets and flooring. Spills, leaks, or high humidity can trap moisture under carpets and hard flooring.
7. HVAC systems and ductwork. Moisture inside air conditioning units and the ductwork connected to them can become a breeding ground for mold, which can then be circulated through the house.
8. Window frames. Condensation on and around window frames, especially with poor seals, can lead to mold growth on or inside the frame.

If some of these areas sound familiar—such as large appliances that are rarely moved—now’s your chance to disinfect those hard to reach areas and help rid your home of hidden dirt, grime, mold, and bacteria that is so often overlooked.