The kitchen is one of the most susceptible areas of the house to mold growth and it is very easy for mold to occur there if preventative actions are not taken. It is important to keep kitchens mold free because this is the same space in which food is prepared and consuming mold can be harmful. Preventing mold from growing in your kitchen is quite simple and it only takes a few preventative actions to ensure that your kitchen is safe, otherwise, you may need a professional mold remediation service.

Your kitchen is the heart of your home. Mold in the kitchen can be avoided by following proper measures.

Keep the Kitchen Dry

One way to prevent mold from growing in your kitchen is to make sure your kitchen is dry and free of standing water.  A humid environment invites mold growth and condensation. When water is present, it can be a breeding ground for mold. As you do the dishes or clean up the kitchen, water can get into small spaces around the sink which increases the risk of mold. It is important to dry the water from these hidden places as they are the most likely places for mold to grow with or without the excess water. After you clean your kitchen, use a separate towel to dry the water from the counters, cracks, floor, and other areas that are wet.

Keep your kitchen Clean and Tidy

When proper cleaning is not performed, a dirty kitchen is an ideal place for mold to grow on any surface. In order to prevent this type of growth, it is critical that you thoroughly clean your kitchen every day and keep all surfaces dry at all times. Also, make sure that you are using the right type of cleaning products in order to reduce the risk of having chemicals penetrate your skin or be absorbed into your lungs.

Dishes

Wash your dishes after each meal. It may seem like a drag at first, but think about how much time you’ll save by doing this right away every time instead of having to do it all at once a week. If you want an extra cleaning boost, add some white vinegar in with your daily dishwashing routine. As a weak acid and powerful disinfectant, white vinegar can tackle both bacteria as well as molds.

Appliances

Clean your appliance thoroughly after use. Clear out any food that may have spilled around the area, wipe down any counters that were used, clean the drip tray and even remove removable parts like blades or paddles to properly sanitize them in boiling hot water bath.

Refrigerator

When cleaning your refrigerator, remember that mildew is attracted to different types of spores found on food and leftovers, so make sure you wipe down any surfaces with a disinfectant before throwing out old food or leftovers. Rinse all containers thoroughly before putting them in the refrigerator, and keep items that can harbor any remaining moisture off the top of your refrigerator where it’s warm. Use a baking soda and water paste to scrub any tougher stains; wipe it off with a damp cloth afterward. If your fridge is not cooling enough, check the temperature settings and make sure all vents are clear.

Kitchen Sink

A dirty kitchen sink leads to mold and mildew growth that can be difficult to get rid of. Regularly cleaning the sink with vinegar ensures that any food that drops in there gets cleaned up before it has a chance to grow mold.

Keep the kitchen clean and dry by wiping up spills as soon as they happen. Dispose of leftover food and empty containers in a timely manner.

Dirt and grime on the sponge and in the sink create a perfect environment for mold to grow.  It’s important to keep your kitchen sink free from mold before it starts growing. This is especially true if your kitchen sink has a garbage disposal, as water can sit beneath it for long periods of time. Don’t let the water sit for more than 24 hours, because that’s when mold can begin to form on any remaining food scraps in your sink. Cleaning regularly will help keep it away. If a sink backs up or the garbage disposal stops working, get it repaired immediately.

Cabinets

In addition to cleaning the fridge, you should also make sure to clean the kitchen cabinets and storage spaces. By cleaning them on a regular basis, you’ll make sure that there is no excess moisture. A wipe-down with bleach or vinegar will do the trick. You can wipe down the inside walls with Windex and a soft cloth, but don’t squirt cleaner directly on them: It will discolor the plastic and cause it to crack over time.

Inspections and Maintenance

Mold growth in the kitchen is a common problem that can be prevented by periodic inspections and maintenance. To prevent mold growth, check frequently for leaks in faucets, pipes, drains, gas lines, sink shutoff valves, and appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers. Fixed leaks should be repaired immediately. Water-damaged materials such as porous pottery or tiles should be removed.

Check to see if your house has a sump pump as a part of your central heating and cooling system. If you have an attached garage, be sure to include a drainage system to collect and divert rainwater away from the main house.

Use mold-resistant paint

The kitchen has a higher level of moisture in it than most other rooms of the house and as a result, surfaces such as the wall may become moldy. If there is some mold growth on the wall, make sure to remove it and keep an eye on that area as mold is likely to grow back in the same spot if the humidity rises again. One option for preventing mold growth on the walls is using mold resistant paint which is water resistant and will prevent mold from penetrating through the painted layer. Adding mold resistant paint to your kitchen will also rejuvenate the look of the kitchen walls.

Check the kitchen’s ventilation

Humidity is another common cause of mold growth and limiting the humidity within the kitchen will greatly decrease the risk. The best way to keep the humidity down within the kitchen is by opening the windows and making sure there is always good ventilation. It is important to remember that excess moisture, standing water, or high humidity is at the root of every mold outbreak and the key to keeping your kitchen mold free is eliminating each of these sources. Keeping mold out of your kitchen will not only contribute to a cleaner space but also make it a safer place to prepare food. If you do happen to find more mold than you can safely clean yourself, contact a professional such as Rainbow International of South and West Suburbs.

Contact Mold Removal Professional

If you are concerned about mold, contact an expert. Mold Removal Professionals who specialize in eliminating the problem can inspect your home and determine whether mold is present and where it needs to be removed. They can also help determine if there is any damage beyond the surface of the walls so that a reliable estimate for restoration costs can be made.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.