Don’t let the mold in your kitchen ruin your family’s health
The kitchen is where you prepare delicious meals, and having mold in your kitchen could be very disgusting and unappealing. Seeing these tiny fungal growths in your kitchen is nothing short of an eyesore.
Molds are fungi that live on moist organic surfaces and reproduce through microscopic spores that can often be visible. Kitchen molds are usually black, though other colors and types of molds can grow in the kitchen.
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Kitchen molds are often found in and around the kitchen sink, cabinets, cupboards, appliances, drywall behind kitchen cabinets, drawers, pantry, closet, and other kitchen areas, including floor tiles and carpets, and rugs. These molds are not only a nasty sight to behold, but they also pose some serious health challenges to you and your kitchen appliances, fittings, and furniture.
Let us go through the dangers of having mold in your kitchen and find out how to get rid of it. Also, find detailed information on the causes, signs, and prevention of mold growth in your kitchen.
What are the dangers of mold in your kitchen?
Kitchen molds can be hazardous to your health. They thrive in your kitchen due to the humidity and dampness caused to cooking and water spillage. While some molds may not be harmful, most of them are mainly due to the toxins they produce.
These toxins pose serious health effects, including allergies and respiratory disorders, ranging from mild to severe, depending upon your immunity. According to CDC, these molds, in extreme cases, can cause lung diseases and infections, especially in children, elders, and people with compromised immune systems.
Hence kitchen mold removal becomes imperative and a matter of priority for your family’s health.
One of the other reasons you should take mold in your kitchen seriously is the possibility of damage to your kitchen structures.
Some molds can be invisible, and because of their ability to transport spores through the air, you may not be aware of their presence in your kitchen.They settle and grow on porous surfaces and organic materials found in your kitchen, causing structural damages to fittings, drawers, cupboards, pantry, appliances, closets, walls, and floors.
How to get rid of mold in your kitchen?
Removing molds from your kitchen can be a daunting task. However, if the mold infestation is not more than 10 square feet and found in an easily accessible area, you can remove it yourself.
Prepare a mold cleaning solution using hydrogen peroxide, tree tea oil, or distilled water vinegar. Wipe the mold off gently using a rag or scrub brush. Finally, use a dry cloth to wipe the affected area and dry for a few minutes.
When cleaning molds, ensure you close the kitchen to avoid the mold spores spreading to other parts of the house. Also, wear your protective gears like face masks, gloves, and overalls to protect you from coming in contact with the mold.
However, if the mold is infested in a larger area and is inaccessible, you should contact a mold remediation company. These places include molds within pipes, under kitchen sinks, in the cabinet, behind drywall, kitchen cupboards, and pantry. Read on to find a few more non-toxic ways to get rid of mold without causing any harm to you or your kitchen.
Cost-effective Kitchen Mold Remediation
EcoFMR is a mold remediation company with many years of experience and satisfied clients. We provide top-notch kitchen mold remediation services with the best in-practice tools and equipment, a highly skilled team of experts, and world-class all-around service.
We are IICRC certified and licensed contractors providing cost-effective kitchen mold removal services with minimal or zero-damage to your existing kitchen structures. We do not rip your kitchen apart to get rid of mold from your kitchen. We use unique methods to retain your existing structure, thereby not having you spend more money post-remediation.
Our unique kitchen mold removal procedure includes:
FREE Inspection
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We start with a free inspection to determine the type of mold, affected area, mold size, and the technique required to get rid of the mold from your kitchen.
Containment
We create a mold removal containment barrier to ensure that the mold spores from the kitchen do not travel to other parts of the house and cross-contaminate them.
Remediation
- After proper containment of the kitchen, we focus on removing the mold from all the nooks and crannies of your kitchen. We make use of HEPA vacuuming and an electro-static fogger to scrub the air to remove mold spores.
- We use HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filtered, negative air pressure to ensure that the kitchen area is safe during remediation. This is done using negative air machines and humidifiers to create this vacuum effect, limiting the spread of molds to other parts of the house.
- Antimicrobials are then used to wipe all surfaces thoroughly to ensure the total removal of kitchen molds. We clean an extra two feet to be double sure that there is no mold left in your kitchen.
- We reach every part of your kitchen, including cabinets, pantry, under the sink, behind the drywall, leaky pipes, and every other part of your kitchen affected by mold.
- This process leaves your kitchen mold-free without tearing, ripping, or damaging your appliances or existing kitchen structure.
How much does kitchen mold removal cost?
Kitchen mold removal cost varies depending on the size, area, and extent of the mold infestation in your kitchen and may range from $500 and $4000. We provide solutions without damaging your existing structure in your kitchen, thus reducing the overall cost.
Click here to know more about our kitchen mold remediation process and cost. For a FREE inspection and estimate, call (619) 222-3056.
What causes mold in kitchen?
Molds in the kitchen are mainly caused by high humidity due to cooking, dishwashing, or other activities that involve water or steam. These activities cause water spillage and, coupled with the moisture and inadequate ventilation in the kitchen, can cause mold growth.
These molds can also appear in the kitchen through leaky pipes and improper handling of the garbage. Because of kitchen waste’s organic and moist nature, exposed garbage in the kitchen becomes a breeding place for molds.
Another cause of mold infestation in the kitchen is condensation caused by leak under the kitchen sinks, faucet, appliances such as washing machines, ice makers, dishwashers, the area around refrigerators, and other parts of the kitchen.
Steam from cooking pots and kettles when cooking, frying, or boiling can settle in and around the kitchen. They can also get behind the cupboards, onto the ceilings, cabinets, and walls creating humidity and moisture, thus causing mold growth to thrive.
What are the signs molds in kitchen?
The effects of molds in your kitchen may not be immediately visible in some cases. Still, if you have ever seen patches of white mold on your kitchen cabinet, appliances, walls, and other parts of your kitchen, it could indicate the presence of mold.
This happens because molds decompose materials that they settle on, leaving them discolored, damaged, and in some cases, in need of replacement.
Other signs of molds in your kitchen are the damp and musty smell it emits when it comes in contact with wood or other materials. The smell can be awful in most cases and weird or earthy in other cases. Such smell indicates the presence of mold in your kitchen.
Wall cracking or bubbling is another sign to watch out for mold in your kitchen.
These signs may not be evident to you even when you perceive this weird smell from your kitchen on some occasions, as they grow in areas that are not easily seen or reachable.
What areas are affected by mold in kitchen?
Molds can be found almost anywhere in your kitchen. They thrive in just about every part of the dark, moist, and poorly ventilated kitchen. Some of the areas are:
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Mold Under the Sink
Under the kitchen sink is naturally a good spot for molds because of water spills and dampness. In most cases, molds are not visible because of their microscopic nature, but the chances are that whatever part of your kitchen has spills and leakages, molds exist there.
Removing molds in this area will involve using non-toxic and non-bleach cleaning solutions like hydrogen peroxide. Pour the substance into a spray container and spray it on the affected areas. Leave it for about 10 minutes to effectively settle on the molds. Scrub thoroughly with a scrub brush, and wipe it using a clean rag.
Fix the pipes and faucets that cause the leakages to prevent molds’ future reappearance under your kitchen sink.
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Mold in Cabinets and Cupboards
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Cabinets and cupboards are mostly made of wood, and they provide storage places for pots, plates, and other things in the kitchen. These objects stored in cabinets and cupboards sometimes have residual water on them. Because these spaces are mostly poorly lit and inadequately ventilated, molds will grow there because of the dampness and moisture.
To get rid of the mold from kitchen cabinets, you can use distilled water, vinegar, or detergent mixed with water in a spray bottle. Spray the affected area and use a toothbrush to scrub the corners and holes effectively, then wipe it off with a clean, dry rag and leave it open for some time for ventilation. You can also turn on a fan to speed up the drying process.
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Mold in Dry Wall behind Kitchen Cabinet
Molds thrive in these areas because of the relatively dark and moist nature. Steam from cooking and oven goes into these areas and creates dampness and moisture to let molds settle. You will need to replace the walls if they are porous. If not, you can use a paint scraper to remove the paint on the walls. Afterward, use a scrub brush and water-detergent solution to scrub the affected area very well. You can also make use of hydrogen peroxide or tea tree oil for this process. Use a fan to dry the wall and replace the painting with mold-resistant paints to prevent reappearance.
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Mold in Pantry and Closet
We store food in the pantry and closets, and sometimes when they spoil or get rotten while in the pantry, it not only means a waste of food, it also means a breeding area for molds. Use a food-friendly cleaning solution when dealing with molds in the pantry to avoid contaminating the food you store there. You can make use of water and vinegar to do the task. Spray the solution around the pantry, wipe it off with a clean rag, and leave the pantry open to allow it to dry faster. Always ensure there are no decayed or spoilt foods or fruits in your closet or pantries, and keep the area dry at all times to avoid mold.
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Mold in the Dishwasher
This is by far the most significant cause of mold in the kitchen. This is because of the constant use of water in washing dishes. Passive or residual water is always left on the dishwasher, and usually there is not enough space for proper ventilation in the kitchen where dishwashers are kept, thus presentinig an opportunity for mold to grow.
Keeping mold away from this important appliance in your kitchen can be done by cleaning it out with a clean rag and a distilled vinegar solution. Once this is done, ensure that you dry the appliance thoroughly, and after every wash, let the door be open long enough to dry out properly.
Other appliances like the ice maker, washing machine, and refrigerator are also breeding grounds for molds because of the residual water ever-present in them and condensation around these appliances. Cleaning these appliances and ridding them of molds will follow the same procedures as the dishwashers.
You must try as much as possible to allow proper ventilation and dryness of these appliances. Check around and underneath them for spillages and clean them out.
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Mold in Garbage Disposal
Rotten food or other organic substance in your garbage disposal can cause the presence and reproduction of molds if not correctly sealed and disposed of when due. Pour vinegar directly into your garbage disposal unit at least once a week, and dispose of the garbage regularly. Doing this will prevent the presence of molds in your garbage.
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Mold on Cutting Boards
Molds can also thrive on your cutting boards, spatula, and other wooden tools in the kitchen, if not used regularly. Use vinegar in wiping them clean regularly to keep the molds away. Also, ensure that they are dry by washing and wiping with a clean, dry cloth after every use.
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Mold in Faucets
When you turn on the water faucet in your kitchen and notice the presence of tiny strings or strands, it could indicate the presence of molds. The first action you need to take is to detect the source of any leaks through which the molds must have gained access. You can caulk around the faucet to be sure and replace the faucets if the leaks cannot be fixed or remain persistent, as this could be a result of rusting.
Use a cleaning solution to clean the head, stem, and handles of the faucet and do this at least once every day to ensure the total removal of molds.
How to prevent mold growth in kitchen?
Kitchen molds are dangerous to your health and can damage and discolor almost everything in your kitchen if it is not controlled. Molds thrive in damp, humid, poorly lit, and inadequately ventilated spaces. Preventing kitchen molds will mean that you have to eliminate these conditions from your kitchen.
This is very important because the kitchen is the house’s food source, and given how dangerous molds can be, it should not be a breeding place for the fungus. Some steps to prevent the appearance of molds in your kitchen include:
- Proper disposal of garbage: Endeavor to dispose of garbage regularly and sanitize it with vinegar at least once a week to avoid molds from settling on them.
- Clean your kitchen appliances: This includes the dishwasher, refrigerator, washing machine, ice maker, etc. These appliances trap water and prevent molds. You need to ensure they are clean and dry after use. Clean around and behind your refrigerator and other appliances as often as possible to ensure the elimination of any possible spillage or leakage spot that may be breeding mold.
- Check and fix leaky pipes: Check all the sinks, faucets, pipes, drains, and supply lines for leaks or bursts and get them duly fixed.
- Keep the kitchen clean and dry: Regular cleaning of the kitchen with cleaning solutions and thoroughly drying it out will keep the kitchen mold-free.
- Do not use rugs in the kitchen: Rugs will get wet, smelly, and hard to dry when placed in the kitchen. Kitchen activities consist of a lot of water splashing and pouring and should have tiles instead of rugs. Tiles are easy to wipe, and they do not retain water after cleaning, but rugs, on the other hand, will be damp most of the time, making them a target for molds.
- Use mold-resistant paints: These are paints you can use on your kitchen walls and ceilings to prevent the penetration of molds into the walls.
- Do the dishes daily: Dirty dishes are a breeding place for molds because of moisture and the organic nature of food particles in the dishes. Washing them daily and often will give no room for molds to thrive.
- Keep the cabinet and pantries clean and dry: Make sure you clean the kitchen cabinet, cupboards, pantries, and boards regularly and keep them dry immediately after each use.
- Inspect the kitchen regularly: Regular inspection of the kitchen for visible signs of mold or weird smells will ensure you are one step ahead of molds. Also, inspect all corners, underneath sinks and cabinets, behind appliances, and other kitchen parts for traces of condensation and spillages.
- Turn on vents and exhaust fans: When cooking, the steam makes the atmosphere very humid and welcoming for molds. Turn on your exhaust fan to reduce the humidity and leave it on for some minutes after cooking to ensure adequate ventilation. You can also open the windows and vents to accelerate ventilation when you cook.
The Bottom Line
Kitchen molds are a worrisome sight and menace to your kitchen. Having molds in and around your kitchen where your meals come from can pose health issues, and also damage your appliances, walls, sinks and cabinets when they come in contact with them. Molds leave nasty-looking patches, cracks on your walls, and causes discolorations of surfaces it comes in contact with. It gives off a foul odor in your kitchen and is something you would not want to have to deal with.
We are an experienced and certified mold remediation company with over two decades of experience under our belt. We make the remediation process easy, quick and effective, leaving no traces of molds lingering around.
Call us now on – (619) 222-3056, for a FREE inspection and estimate, to get rid of mold from your kitchen.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens