Having mold anywhere in your home is cause for alarm. However, when you find that there is mold in your kitchen, especially in your cabinets, the need to get rid of it takes on a new sense of urgency.
There are a number of causes for mold being in your kitchen cabinets, just as there are a number of solutions. Here you will learn what causes mold in your kitchen cabinets, how to locate it, how to get rid of it, and how to keep it from coming back.
Causes of Mold in Kitchen Cabinets
Plumbing Leaks
This particularly applies to the cabinets that are under and surround your kitchen sink. When there is a plumbing leak, such as a loose or damaged pipe, the moisture helps create a breeding ground for mold, which thrives on moisture and nutrients found on the wood in the cabinets. As mold accumulates, it does not take long to spread to the other cabinets in your kitchen.
Humidity From Cooking
When you are cooking in your kitchen it stands to reason that at times there will be larger amounts of steam. Steam rises, and when it does it can land on the cabinets in your kitchen. The moisture caused by the rising humidity levels can be enough to trigger growth. While heat is unnecessary for mold growth, it certainly does not hurt it.
Garbage Disposals
The garbage disposal is supposed to promote cleanliness in the kitchen, not add to the mess. Unfortunately, the garbage disposal can often serve as a veritable hotbed for mold growth thanks to a frequent influx of both moisture and nutrients. When a garbage disposal has not been cleaned in a while it increases the chances of mold growth. When that mold growth occurs it will spread, and the nearest thing for it to spread to is your kitchen cabinets.
Food
Sometimes you can be putting away dishes and think they are completely clean. But every now and then one will slip past that still has a piece of food attached to it. Food of any type can be a source of nutrients for mold, and if even a little bit of exposed food ends up in your cabinets and is allowed to stay there, it could lead to mold. The same is true for bits of pasta, cookies, or anything else that might fall out of the package when you're retrieving it from the shelf.
Cleaning Supply Spills
Most people store their cleaning supplies, particularly chemical cleaning solutions, underneath the kitchen sink. Sometimes those chemicals can spill out. You may think that a spilled cleaning solution would be antithetical to mold growth, but so long as there is moisture and some form of nutrients mold will find a way. Believe it or not, some cleaners can even spoil while they're still in their containers and using them can spread mold, but you'll likely know fast if you make this mistake, because of the immediate smell.
Unwashed Utensils/Dirty Kitchen Appliances
If one thing can accelerate mold growth, it would be filth. If you have utensils that you have not cleaned properly or kitchen appliances that you have not gotten around to cleaning then you are practically inviting mold into your cabinets.
Rodents
Even if you have a clean kitchen, it is not unusual to occasionally deal with mice or other rodents. Rodents can carry any number of nasty substances on them, and that is not counting the nasty substances they can leave behind. If they relieve themselves in your cabinets, mold growth is an ugly inevitability. The same is true for bugs of any kind.
Preventing Mold in Kitchen Cabinets
Inspect for Leaks Regularly
With under-the-sink leaks being one of the chief offenders when it comes to mold growth in kitchen cabinets, it stands to reason that you would need to keep a close eye on the plumbing. Make a point of looking at the pipes at least once a week to ensure that there are no leaks.
Use an Under the Sink Mat
Even if you were to religiously check the plumbing under your sink, there is always a chance that a leak could happen on a day other than when you inspect the pipes. Having an absorbent, washable mat under your sink will help keep any liquid's spread under control, thereby reducing potential for mold growth.
Use Your Vent Fan When Cooking
If you want to keep the steam and humidity that occurs when you cook from causing mold, then ensure proper ventilation in your kitchen. Using the vent fan in your kitchen will help take care of the steam that you generate when you cook.
Dispose of Spoiled Food
This may seem like a no-brainer, but getting rid of spoiled, out of date food in your cabinets is a major preventative measure when it comes to mold growth.
Clean Your Garbage Disposal
You may think regularly running hot water in your garbage disposal is enough to be considered cleaning, but you must do more. There are cleaning products on the market designed specifically to handle cleaning out the garbage disposal. Follow the directions to the letter and clean your disposal regularly.
Wash Dishes Everyday
If you want to get rid of mold in your kitchen cabinets, then you need to make sure that your dishes are cleaned thoroughly everyday. Ensure all food particles are completely gone and that you have properly dried the dishes before putting them in the cabinets.
How to Eliminate Mold in Kitchen Cabinets
Fix the Cause of Mold in the Cabinets First
The first thing you need to do is find what is causing the mold growth in the cabinets and put a stop to it. If this means fixing the plumbing, clearing out cabinets, or any other source, then do it. That is the first step to preventing further mold growth.
Use 70% Water to Vinegar to Wipe Away Surface Mold
You will be glad to know that one of the most effective tools to use against mold in your kitchen cabinets is likely already in your kitchen. Create a mixture of 70% water to 30% white vinegar. Spray it on the mold-afflicted areas in your cabinet and allow the cleaning solution to set for ten to fifteen minutes. Once the time has passed, with a soft-bristled scrub brush you can gently scrub the mold out of the cabinets. You can then take a towel or dry rag and wipe away the surface mold.
Leave Cabinet Doors Open to Dry
Ventilation is one of the best things that you can use to kill mold. Once you have cleaned your cabinets of any mold, leave them open and allow them to air-dry. Using a fan can accelerate and help the process.
If Cabinets Are Water Damaged, Replace Them
If you find that your cabinets have been damaged by mold and water, then replacing them is a good idea instead of trying to clean them. This may seem extreme, but it is the only solution when the cabinets are too far gone.
