When a mold infestation occurs, the last place you may expect to find mold is inside your electronic devices. However, anywhere there is moisture, there is also the possibility of mold growth, and this is true for everything in your home, including electronics. Even when moisture is not present, mold spores can linger dormant until moisture returns.
Unfortunately, homes and businesses alike often will not realize that mold is present until it starts to spread. Often mold spores can blend in with the dust that is often present in and around electronic devices. By the time they realize mold is present, it may already be too late to prevent it from spreading to surrounding areas.
How Mold Enters Electronic Devices
In most cases, electronics have air ducts and potentially fans to keep motors, processors, and other equipment cool. These air ducts provide mold with the opportunity to enter and blend in with the dust that is nearly always present. Often the only way to tell if mold is present is to have it professionally inspected.
Unfortunately, cleaning mold from these devices can be quite a challenge as well. Generally, mold is cleaned using bleach or other cleaning chemicals which are harmful to electronic equipment. This means alternative procedures must be used to clean these devices and ensure that mold will not return.
In most cases, this job should be entrusted to mold remediation professionals who have the expertise and equipment necessary to ensure that the job is done right. When performing the job yourself, there is a high chance that mold will return.
Cleaning the Exterior of the Equipment
Whenever you are working near mold, it is important to ensure you are wearing suitable personal protective equipment, including breathing protection. Once you are ready, the first step to cleaning mold from your electronics is to thoroughly clean the exterior with the power disconnected.
A diluted bleach solution or other disinfectant and a soft cleaning cloth will suffice. However, it is important to be thorough while ensuring that no moisture enters the device.
Cleaning the Interior of the Equipment
This is where professional assistance can be extremely useful. In order to safely remove any mold and spores from the interior of your electronic devices, they will need to be carefully removed without applying any moisture. A HEPA-certified vacuum cleaner can be used in a well-ventilated area to suction all dust and mold particles from the device. This can be used alongside compressed air which can loosen any stuck particles. It is important to be thorough to ensure that no mold or spores remain, which could lead to the infestation returning in the future.
Final Thoughts
Wherever moisture is present, mold can thrive, and this includes the interior of electronic devices. When mold infestations occur, it is important to contact mold remediation professionals to ensure that all areas where mold can thrive are properly treated to ensure that it does not return.
Contact Us
For professional mold remediation of your home and possessions, contact the experts at Restore Pro. Our remediation professionals have more than twenty years of experience serving home and business owners. Call us at 1-800-847-0114 and connect with us on Facebook.
