Don't start your day off with a hot cup of mold. Here's how to keep your coffee maker clean and free from microbial growth.

Mold is an unwelcome visitor in any part of your home, but mold in a coffee maker is not only bad news for the taste of your coffee but your respiratory, digestive and skin health too.

Visible signs of mold in your coffee maker are of course, easy to spot, but did you know that in most cases, the mold is more subtle, fast growing and easy to miss? Our coffee and cleaning experts reveal why it grows, the four telltale signs your machine has it, and how to clean your coffee maker's hidden mold with ease.

Why does mold grow in coffee makers?

Finding mold in even the best coffee maker is very common. According to a study by the National Sanitation Foundation, 50% of household coffee maker reservoirs have mold or yeast growing in them.

'The reservoir and tubing are where mold is most likely to grow', confirms Eric Gantz, Co-Founder of Verena Street Coffee who has worked with coffee makers for the past 15 years.

Unsurprisingly, these are the parts where mold is most likely to grow since they’re constantly wet. In the case of a reservoir, you often have standing water and depending on how often you use your coffee maker, this might not be replaced for over a week or more.

Your coffee maker also is a nutrient-rich environment for mold spores, which creates the perfect breeding ground.

Michael Rubino a mold and air quality expert and founder of HomeCleanse, says ‘coffee grounds, mineral buildup, skin cells, and other organic matter' combine with ‘other factors such as high humidity, spills, pooled water, lack of cleaning, and faulty equipment’ for a perfect environment where mold can begin growing in as little as 24-48 hours.

Don't wait for the classic green mold spots to appear in your coffee maker reservoir before taking action. Here's what to watch out for:

Read More Here: https://www.homesandgardens.com/solved/cleaning-mold-in-coffee-maker