Cheese, wine, greek yogurt, sour cream and soy sauce- all are delicious ingredients in the kitchen. Careful fermentation and the use of mold are integral to the quality and flavors that can contribute to a fantastic meal. However, unwanted mold in the kitchen can be a disaster.
According to the CDC, exposure to moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects. For those people sensitive to it, mold can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, and eye irritation. People with chronic lung illnesses are at risk of serious infections when they are exposed to mold.
Removing the mold can be troublesome—your dishes, glassware, pots and even boxed food have been exposed. Here are some basics to keep your food delicious and your kitchen healthy:
Mold 101
It is not an animal or a plant; it is a fungus that spreads by airborne spores. Mold thrives where there is moisture, humidity, and little ventilation. Any organic product can become a food source: paper, wood, particle board. So the interior of a kitchen cabinet with no ventilation, next to a leaking dishwasher is the perfect spot!
Mold spores can drift into your kitchen through open doorways, windows, vents, and heating and air conditioning systems. Outdoor spores can also track inside on clothing, shoes, and pets.
Major Problem Areas
Kitchens have several disadvantages. They have multiple water sources and lots of nooks and crannies. Many people pass through this space several times a day. And worse of all- it’s where you store your food.
Mold In The Sink Area
Loose faucets and poorly installed sinks create opportunities for mold. Cheap plastic plumbing parts can develop tiny cracks and leak water into dark, forgotten spaces. If the mold has developed due to a leaking sink, you might need to remove the entire sink to access every area where the mold is growing.
Mold In Cabinets
In order to protect your health, immediately fix the moisture problem in the kitchen that causes mold in the cabinets. Then address 1) the structure, 2) the dishes, and 3) the food.
For the cabinets, remove everything. Make a solution of half water and half detergent by combining it into a spray bottle and a scrubbing brush or toothbrush for corners and hard-to-reach areas. Wipe the residue with a wet clean rag and rinse with a dry rag. Accelerate drying using fans and allow the area to dry completely.
Wash every dish with hot water and make everything is completely dry before putting dishes away.
Toss any food with visible signs of mold but do not trust paper and cardboard packages. You can remove the paper labels on the cans and wash them in hot, soapy water. Glass and tetra packs can also be safely cleaned. Again, dry fully before restocking the pantry.
Mold On Ceiling And Walls
Poor air circulation can allow steam and moisture to accumulate around the kitchen. To clean and prevent mold on walls and ceiling, you must find the water leaks behind walls, or correct the condensation problems. Mold is on porous surfaces such as drywall usually needs to be removed and replaced. Mold on non-porous walls, like tile, can typically be removed without damaging the wall.
Other Mysteries Of Life (Or Creepy Discoveries)
Be vigilant about cleaning up spills and drips. Food that falls behind the stove, under the refrigerator or in the corners of the pantry develop a food source in dark damp spaces- the perfect recipe for mold.
Mold Damage In Knoxville
If you live in Tennessee or Alabama, Apex DKI certified mold remediation professionals can evaluate your situation, and recommend a remediation plan with your family’s health in mind.
Before cleaning mold in your home, Apex Restoration DKI will investigate why you have mold and will fix the cause. When your kitchen is being remediated, the team will seal it off by closing windows and doors plus us plastic sheeting and duct tape to prevent mold spores from spreading in the rest of your home. As they remove the mold, they might use special equipment for air scrubbing and dehumidification.
Apex is a proud partner of Disaster Kleenup International (DKI), the largest and most respected disaster cleanup contracting organization in North America. Call 866-461-5508 or visit apexdki.com
