Mold can grow anywhere there is an excessive amount of moisture and organic material. It spreads by releasing microscopic invisible spores and can settle in a number of locations close to your home. Because of this, the kitchen is a great place for spores to flourish.
Mold is not always apparent, but even when it is hidden, it should never be forgotten. Discover 13 locations in your kitchen where mold may be hiding by reading the information below. Additionally, you’ll discover a few methods for eliminating it should an outbreak occur.
1.) Inside the Refrigerator
One of the most prevalent storm damages in the US is winter storm damage. Winter storms can be destructive due to snow, ice storms, and freezing rain.
You’ll see lake effect storms, blizzards, and snow squalls at this season, which can harm some components of your property, particularly the roof. Winter storms can also cause ice dams, which can trap water on your roof and coat it with an ice sheet.
Storms also harm your roof’s shingles and outside pipes. Winter storms’ strong winds can also cause shingles to come loose and harm power wires.
2.) Under the Sink
Food, especially ingredients that have gone bad, is a major breeding ground for mold. Remove any stale or expired food from the refrigerator on a regular basis to prevent mold growth. Make sure there are no organic residues on any surfaces in your refrigerator so that spores can’t develop there.
Additionally, some homeowners choose refrigerator drip pans to catch any dripping water. By doing this, the likelihood of mold developing within your refrigerator will be greatly reduced.
3.) On Your Dishes
Mold may grow quite quickly on wet dishes. After washing, you must completely dry your dishes before storing them in the cabinet.
Use a cloth to dry all dishes before stacking them in the cabinet if you don’t have a dishwasher or it doesn’t have a drying feature. You definitely don’t want fungus to get into your favorite foods.
4.) Trash Cans
It should go without saying that fungus and bacteria can live in the trash because people discard food waste there. Make sure to frequently eliminate rubbish from your home to prevent this. Establish a timetable for placing garbage bags outside your home in the proper location.
It will stop mold from forming and keep other pests like flies and rodents out of your home if you dispose of your waste in an outdoor trash can.
5.) Stove and Microwave
Your microwave is at danger of exposure since mold and moisture go hand in hand. Sometimes liquids can pour out of the microwave during meal preparation and gather at the base of the gadget. Inside a microwave, food scraps, water, and grease can gather.
The stove is the same way. Clean up any liquids that have spilled on the stovetop before starting to cook. If not, you can have a bothersome mold issue.
6.) Kitchen Cabinets and Pantry
In addition to wetness and darkness, fungus favor environments with little to no airflow. Increased humidity is a result of poor air circulation, which promotes the growth of spores. As a result, mold spores are particularly attracted to your pantry and kitchen cabinets.
Establish a regular regimen for checking your cabinets and pantry for mold.
7.) Air Conditioner
If you have an air conditioner in your kitchen, mold might develop there. Water frequently leaks from air conditioners onto the floor and the unit’s surface.
As a result, mold colonies can form thanks to spores using that moisture. Always check your air conditioner frequently, and fix any potential leaks.
8.) Window Sills
Particularly during a major downpour, window sills can accumulate a lot of rainwater. Shut all of your kitchen windows if you see that it is about to rain so that water doesn’t pool on the sill.
If not, spores will develop and eventually spread to other rooms in your house. It’s also a good idea to regularly wipe down the windows and sills to remove impurities like dampness, dust, and other debris.
9.) Indoor Plants
Plants enhance the appearance of your home and enhance the air quality. They do, however, make a great hiding place for mold.
Spores can spread quickly on plants since they are organic. The fungus will flourish best in the soil. Check your plants, and cut off any leaves or branches that have mold growing on them.
10.) Vents
If the humidity in your home is excessive, it all passes through the ventilation system. The fungus can grow there practically unchecked.
The air can carry the spores into every area in your house, including the kitchen, when your air conditioner or heating system is running.
If you think there might be mold in your vents, you should probably get professional assistance immediately once.
11.) Under The Floor
It can be difficult to locate a mold colony that grows beneath the floor, which makes removal challenging. Due to their extreme resistance, the spores can even develop beneath your floors.
A colony may thus lie undiscovered for a number of years, posing a variety of health dangers to you and your family.
12.) On Towels
A main breeding ground for fungus and other microscopic species is damp towels. When you dry dishes with a towel and put them beneath the sink, the dampness can quickly grow a colony.
To avoid this, make sure to thoroughly clean and test every towel you use in the kitchen.
13.) The Walls
Where there is too much humidity, such as in bathrooms or kitchens, condensation can quickly build on walls. Mold can grow on the walls when there is little airflow and moisture.
Look in baseboards, corners, and other damp and dark spaces. Always keep your walls as dry as you can to avoid the growth of the fungus.
Conclusion
It can be exhausting to deal with mold in the kitchen. The best strategy for keeping mold at bay is prevention. To protect your kitchen from fungus and other bacteria that pose health dangers, follow the hiding spots given above.
Have a mold issue that you can’t seem to solve on your own? View our mold removal services to learn how we can assist or call 404-631-7022